What happens if you declaw your cat

If you want to discuss cat declawing and you live around Castle Rock or Denver, call our cat vets at or:. We want to make sure the bandages stay on, and your cat has a confined and quiet space to begin healing. Cats are very good at hiding discomfort. Be sure to give your cat the pain medication , even if he or she is acting normal. If you live in or around Castle Rock, Colorado, we welcome your call.

Please call us at or:. Book your appointment here —————. Specializing in the care of cats and dogs, our goal is to help you and your pet feel more comfortable, keeping your stress to a minimum. This article is intended to provide general guidance about declawing a cat.

If you have specific questions or concerns, please contact your local veterinarian. If you live in or around Castle Rock, we welcome your call. Cat Care Considering Declawing a Cat? Five Questions Answered! Not only can declawing be a painful experience for the cat, but it can lead to ongoing painful joint conditions. By removing the top bone on the paw, cats will change their gait and develop arthritis or joint conditions later in life.

Comparatively, many cat owners will opt for a surgical procedure called a tendonectomy. A tendonectomy removes the tendon that allows your cat to extend and retract the claws. By eliminating this tendon, your cat will not be able to open the claws, eliminating the need to scratch. However, a tendonectomy has serious health implications for your cat that will last a lifetime. Luckily, there are several safe alternatives to declawing your cat that will allow your cat to stay safe and healthy while still keeping your furniture safe.

Some viable solutions to a scratching cat include:. Declawing a cat with traditional surgeries is quickly becoming outlawed in several states due to the long-term adverse medical implications the surgery has on your cat. Always consider alternatives to declawing your cat to keep your cat healthy for an entire lifetime. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Back pain may be caused by lameness, as a changed gait means Fluffy is not carrying her weight like she should. But this just puts a strain on our other muscles, and causes pain. Englar is of the opinion that if an owner must declaw her cat, it should be done when the cat is very young or the owner risks behavioral changes.

Kittens, on the other hand, are more malleable than adult cats and more able to adjust to a major change like declawing. One surgical alternative to traditional declawing is a tendonectomy, during which the veterinarian severs the tendons that allow a cat to extend her claws.

The procedure is initially less invasive than a true declaw, but Englar does not recommend this procedure, because it may lead to more long-term problems than declawing. More importantly, they also have no way to wear down their claws. There are other alternatives to declawing that do not involve surgery. One of the most popular is plastic claw caps. Veterinarians can perform the procedure every few weeks with the cat sedated, if necessary. Both Moss and Englar agree that any cat owner thinking about declawing their cat should talk to their vet about the procedure at length.

These are all important facts that should influence the decision-making process. Home Cat Care Center. Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: February 19, By Kate Hughes There are few subjects related to cat ownership as hotly debated as declawing. Botched Surgeries Dr.

Refusal to Use the Litterbox After being declawed, a cat may refuse to relieve himself in the litter box.