Since the 1940’s, it has been common in the United States to remove the front claws of pet cats chiefly to prevent them from destroying furniture.

Within the last ten years, it has become common to question whether this is a humane procedure. My cat, Orio, is not declawed. I put up with a scratched piano, and a shredded sofa and chairs. But I understand why owners who love their cats very much have their pets declawed.

My first observation is that a declawed cat appears to live as happy and fulfilled a life as a clawed cat. They are just as playful and inquisitive. If an experienced veterinarian performs the procedure, no residual pain occurs.

Humane groups talk about the long term negative effects of declaw surgery. When a cat experiences chronic foot pain after the surgery, when the incisions fail to heal promptly or when a toenail regrows, it is the fault of the veterinarian - not the procedure. Some veterinary schools train their students to be much too aggressive in performing this procedure.

The claws of animals, like the fingernails of people are modified hair. When the front claws of cats are removed at an early age (less than six months of age) it is a minor procedure. No worse than circumcising a baby. Cats that have had their front claws removed continue to stretch and paw their toes as if the nails were still there. They derive the same satisfaction from this as clawed cats.
I only declaw the front claws on adult cats (over six month of age) for very specific reasons that justify it. Some of these reasons are:

1) If, in a multi-cat household, a clawed cat is injuring a second cat in the household

2) If the cat has developed an incurable disease such as Lupus-like conditions where claws contribute to self-trauma and infection.

3) If the cat has developed personality changes that make it a threat to owners and children.

4) If an owner is immuno-supressed due to chemotherapy, debilitating disease, heart valve infection or AIDS or in situations where a cat scratch could be life-threatening to an owner.

5) If blended households or new family members present ultimatums to other family members that “either the cat be declawed, kept outside or they leave". This happens all to frequently. I would much rather see a cat declawed than allowed loose out-of-doors.

Declawing an adult cat lengthens the post-surgical period of recovery. Cats are creatures of habit and a period of depression often follows the removal of claws from an adult cat. These cats need to receive some medication to prevent pain and they need lots of TLC. No two cats react the same to surgery just as no two cat’s personalities are alike.

Like the lady with the scales of justice, one must weigh all factors on the side of declawing the cat or leaving it intact before making a decision. Often, I will clip the cat’s toenails at no charge and teach the owners to do this at home with a human finger or toenail clipper. This is a perfectly acceptable alternative to declawing your kitty if you and the cat have the temperament to do it. . I have never used the adhesive nail guards that are available on the market. But they are an alternative that you should explore.

I have only removed the rear claws of a dozen or so cats during my career. When I did it, it was always to save the life of the animal or the owner.