Pet Care: Cats: Information on Declawing

PetSavers does not approve of declawing

• A cat’s remarkable grace and agility are in part due to his retractable claws that allow him to establish footing for walking, running springing, climbing or stretching.
  
  
• 99% of the time it is unnecessary to declaw if your cat is properly trained and his nails are clipped periodically.
  
  
• Declawing is a serious operation which removes the last digit, not just the nail on a cat’s paw. This is equivalent to removing your finger to the first knuckle. A few cats never walk again.
  
  
• Approximately 20% of declawed cats stop using their litter boxes. Some experts believe this has something to do with the lack of a “scratching sensation.”
  
  
• Many sweet, affectionate cats experience personality changes once they have been declawed and can become biters. A cat will feel defenseless without claws and may turn to its only other form of defense — his teeth.
  
  
• The physical effect of declawing may be the gradual weakening of the muscles of the legs, shoulders and back. Balance may also be impaired.