Declawing a cat is a major surgery. It is very painful for the cat, and is the human equivalent of having your fingers amputated at the last knuckle. In some cases it may be necessary for protection of valuable indoor furniture. But all efforts to avoid this surgery should be made. This is not a decision to be made purely for human convenience. Not only is the suffering of the animal to be considered, but the long-term effects of taking away the animal's defense mechanism.
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Function
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Declawing a cat serves the function of removing the end of the bone of the toe on the front feet. Almost no veterinarian will declaw a cat's rear feet, as it leaves the cat defenseless and also can cause unnecessary suffering. By removing the end of the toe, and not just the nail bed of the claw, the procedure guarantees that no claw will ever grow back once the toes have healed.
Considerations
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Things to consider before declawing: have you tried all other methods to avoid the cat using his claws on whatever you are trying to protect? If it is furniture--have you tried a scratching post? Chemical deterrents? Electrical deterrents? There are many methods that have been developed to train cats not to use their claws on forbidden objects. Realistically, you should try all of them before subjecting the animal to a life-altering surgery. Another thing to consider is that you owe the cat your custodianship for the rest of its life. It is very cruel to physically alter an animal, only to give it away or abandon it later. You must also remember that your cat can no longer be an outside cat. By removing his claws, you have taken away his ability to escape and to defend himself. He is now a permanent indoor cat.
Effects
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Once your decision to declaw is made, consult with your veterinarian and she will advise you of the surgical risks and the recovery. Your cat will be taken in early in the morning, after fasting, and the procedure will occur that day. The animal will regain consciousness to find its paws wrapped tightly to prevent bleeding. The cat will be very miserable and in pain. The bandages must remain on for at least 24 hours, as bleeding to death is a possibility without the pressure bandage. If the cat manages to get out of them, care must be taken that it does not lick the wounds, as this will only stimulate bleeding and increase the chance of infection. It will be a minimum of six weeks before your cat is back to normal and it very likely may take some months before the wounds no longer hurt.
Misconceptions
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Common misconceptions about declawing is that only the nail bed is removed. People do not realize that the entire end of the toe is amputated. People also think that declawing will cause all cat behavior concerning scratching to cease. Once the cat has healed completely, she will resume acting as thoughs he has claws, she just will not have them to use. So expect her to still scratch on furniture and try and defend himself with her claws.
Expert Insight
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Making the decision to declaw is tough. The responsibility towards your pet is already significant. Mutilating them by removing a body part only deepens your responsibility. Veterinarians are aware of the dilemma of deciding between the surgery or owning "disposable" furniture. But they will usually advise that if your dedication to your pet is complete, and you are comfortable with his care of him for the remainder of his days, that declawing is a viable decision. They will also advise you to be very careful to properly rehabilitate your cat, and take as much time and loving care as is necessary to make sure your pet makes a complete recovery. The result, a happy cat who no longer ruins your furniture.
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