What Do I Need to Know About Taking Care of My Cat After Declawing?

Declawing a cat is a surgical operation. Traditionally, declawing involves removing both the claws themselves and part of the attached bone of the cat's paws. It is a fairly painful procedure for the cat, but usually is undertaken to stop the cat from scratching its owners, other pets and household furniture. If you choose to declaw your cat, your pet will require special care for up to two weeks following the surgery.

  1. Medication and Pain

    • A declawed cat will need to receive medicine after returning home from the vet.

      Your cat will spend the first one to two days following the declawing surgery at the vet's office with its paws bandaged, but after arriving home, it still will need special care. You will need to administer a prescription pain medication for up to five days. After that period, pay special attention to the cat's behavior and watch for continued pain, which can be a sign of an infection, bone chipping or other complications.

    Rest

    • For up to two weeks following surgery, a cat's paws will be sensitive and prone to injury. Since part of the cat's bones and sometimes even the pads of its feet are removed during the surgery, the paws often are in considerable pain and walking is difficult. As much as possible for those two weeks, try to prevent the cat from jumping and strenuous activity, so that the pads of the paws have time to heal.

    Special Litter

    • Since a cat uses its paws to dig in a litter box, special litter must be used after declawing. Shredded newspaper or non-granular litter is best, since regular litter can get caught in the cat's sensitive paws and cause extensive damage. Owners should use this special litter for at least two weeks following the declawing procedure, and longer if the cat continues to show signs of sensitivity in its paws.

    Keeping Indoors

    • Cats that have been declawed should not be allowed outdoors, especially immediately following the procedure. Claws are a cat's natural defense against predators and a tool used to climb trees when in danger. Without its front claws, a cat is defenseless, and owners should keep it safely indoors. While this is especially important during the healing period after a surgery, a declawed cat should be an indoor cat for the remainder of its life.