Cat Declawing Recovery Tips

According to Paw-Rescue.org, 31 percent of cat owners choose to have their cats declawed to prevent possible damage to household items such as furniture. Declawing is a surgical procedure in which the cat's top toe joint is removed along with the claw. If you choose this method over using scratching posts or regular claw trimming, some tips can aid your cat in its recovery.

  1. Younger is Better

    • The younger the cat, the faster and easier the recovery. Although cats can be declawed at any age, the best time is when they are between three and five months old. When declawing is performed at this age, cats can often be completely pain-free and walking normally in just a few days following the surgery.

    Replace Litter with Newspaper

    • Regular cat litter can contaminate the surgical areas. As an alternative, replace your cat's regular litter with shredded newspaper for about seven days after the cat returns home after the surgery. Another option is to purchase a product called Yesterday's News cat litter, which is manufactured from recycled paper products.

    Discourage Play

    • Although it may be difficult to prevent a young cat from wanting to play, don't engage your cat in activities like chasing a string or playing with toys. Try to minimize your cat's running, jumping and playing for three weeks after the surgery. It's also better to keep your cat indoors during this time.

    Watch for Complications

    • Watch for signs that your cat is not healing properly or is experiencing complications from the surgery. Telltale signs include frequent bleeding or excessive swelling in the paws. If your cat is still unable or unwilling to walk five days after the surgery, it could also be a sign that something is wrong. Contact your veterinarian if any of these signs or symptoms are present.

    Consider Pain Medications

    • Declawing can be an extremely painful procedure for your cat, although your cat may not show it. A cat's instinct is to try to mask the fact that it is in pain so that it doesn't appear vulnerable to predators. Talk to your veterinarian about available pain medications to help your cat get through the recovery period more easily,