Declawing: Is it Right for Your Cat?
by Chris Monacelli (veterinary assistant, veterinary technician student and cat owner)
Provided by the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society (2006)

Performing the onychectomy, or declaw, on cats has become a particularly controversial topic among pet owners and the veterinary community. It is in cats’ best interest to avoid applying a universal solution to an individualized problem. People seeking this procedure are doing so for any number of reasons, be it aggression from the cat, destruction of furniture, or simply because they have always only had declawed cats. It must be noted that while some feel that this practice is inhumane, there are still cases in which refusing the surgery may pose as much risk as performing it would. All parties should strive to preserve a positive relationship between people and their animal companions. No one wants to see the relationships end because no acceptable solution was offered to the owner.

Education and Evaluation

All aspects of the cat’s history and behaviors in question should be discussed by the veterinarian and owner. What is the cat’s temperament? Is the animal aggressive, docile or fearful? Does the cat live an indoor-only life? Does the cat have destructive tendencies with the claws, and if so, are there particular locations he seems to prefer to scratch? Has the cat had any medical issues which would increase the risk of anesthesia? All of these questions are important to discuss before opting for or against surgery. There are always cats who would in fact benefit from the procedure: for example those who are fearful or resistant to handling and never go outdoors. Cats who are particularly rough with their claws and their owners who have explored several behavior-modification tactics are also likely candidates for surgery.

Once the history and medical background has been inventoried, the ‘pros and cons’ of the surgery and alternatives that exist should be explored. There are many cases in which the declaw is performed without giving a second thought to alternatives and behavior modification techniques. The owner must be reminded that surgery is a permanent solution to what may be a temporary, fixable problem.  Also consider is that the procedure can be painful. Any cat admitted for the procedure should be administered adequate pain management, and owner compliance should be emphasized. This includes keeping the cat quiet during the recovery period, avoiding exuberant play. If pet owners are reasonably informed about what they are electing, beyond just an estimate of medical charges, they can feel more comfortable with their final decision.

Alternatives to Surgery

Alternatives to surgery can begin with assessing behavioral patterns. If the concern is destructive scratching, determine the cats’ preferred location and why it is appealing. If the cat already has a scratching post, moving it to the area the cat frequents may divert his attention from the other objects. If it seems to be a texture he prefers, wrapping the post with a similar material can help. There are a variety of scratching posts and mats available. It may take some encouragement and positive reinforcement by the owner to complete the process. Adding catnip scent or baiting the cat to the desired location with a teaser toy may both help with the transition.

If the damage caused by the cat’s nails is injury of people or other pets, the cause should be explored. Is it unintentional, as a result of playing roughly, or does the cat have a territorial, aggressive temperament? If the cat is unfriendly and does not tolerate handling, training may not be a viable option. If the cat is playful and the injuries seem to be the result of ‘kitten play,’ the cat can learn to direct these activities elsewhere. One important thing to emphasize is that children (and adults) should learn to not roughhouse with any animal. Offering appropriate toys such as teaser wands, balls or toy mice to chase, and small stuffed animals to carry around will offer other ways for cats to release their energy and enjoy constructive play time with their owners. Playing roughly or offering one’s had as ‘bait’ will only result in forming a bad habit that will eventually result in an unintended injury.

Nail Maintenance

If the client is amenable to the suggestion, he or she may be shown how to keep the cat’s nails trimmed at home. This will keep the sharp points under control, and reduce the damage the cat may inflict on his environment. Many owners are able to bring their pets in to the veterinary clinic for monthly nail trims.

Revised by
Timm Otterson, DVM
21 April 2006