Cat Declawing

When cats are declawed, the nails in their front paws are removed and the cat no longer has the ability to extend its nails or scratch with its front paws. The claws on the back feet are usually left intact to give the cat traction, an altered ability to defend itself, and a modified method of climbing.

Cat declawing, while a routine surgery for most veterinarians, is a painful and major surgery for your cat. Proper care after surgery is required in order to keep your cat happy and comfortable. To understand the impact of the surgery on your pet, you must first understand how the nail is removed. Cats' nails grow directly out of their bones, making them another joint within the bone of their paws. During surgery, your veterinarian will cut off that part of the bone, which will prevent the nail from growing back.

Generally, your cat will be hospitalized for 24-48 hours after the surgery for observation. This time in the veterinary hospital is important for keeping infection and complications at bay. Once your veterinarian is happy with your cat’s progress in healing, he or she will allow you to take the cat home.

After cat declawing surgery, you can expect your cat to feel pain for up to a week. Your veterinarian will provide you with pain medication to help ease your cat’s recovery time. Be sure to keep his or her wrappings clean and watch for blood. If you detect any abnormal swelling or are concerned about infection, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

It is extremely important to change your cat’s litter after cat declawing surgery. Because your cat uses his or her front paws to dig in the litter box after surgery and this can be excruciatingly painful, using shredded paper in the litter box instead of hard, granule litter will make your pet more comfortable and prevent any painful associations with litter box use.

Alternatives to Cat Declawing

Because of the outcry from anti-declawing advocates, many alternatives are being explored to the conventional surgery. There are acrylic tips or caps that can be applied to your pet's nails to dull their sharpness, laser surgeries to ease the pain of traditional cat declawing are being tested, and more and more veterinarians are offering nail trimming services as an alternative to cat declawing.

Whichever method of nail control you choose for your pet, be sure to follow all of the precautions and advice given by your veterinarian to ensure the health and happiness of your pet.

Related topics: Cat Health Problems