Cat Declaw |
| Q: I have a kitten who is clawing up my furniture. Is it humane to declaw cats and if so, how old do they have to be to undergo the surgery? A: In my opinion it is humane to declaw the front paws of cats that are spending time indoors. A feline companion can destroy a couch or curtains very quickly when fully clawed. Furthermore, unwanted or destructive cats can end up at overcrowded shelters where their chances of adoption are slim. The procedure is relatively simple, the claw is removed surgically from each digit at the first knuckle. Each incision is closed with skin adhesive and bandages are applied to the feet. The pet is sent home the following day after bandage removal. Antibiotics, pain medication and a special type of cat litter is sent home with each animal. Recovery time typically ranges from one to several weeks. Kittens can be declawed as early as 3 months of age, however, most are done at six months old along with a spay or neuter. Older cats can also be declawed, although, they usually have a longer recovery period. As long as the rear claws are left intact a cat can still defend itself if left outside. Alternatives to surgical declaw include: regular nail trimming, scratching posts or keeping your pet strictly outdoors. If these options don't work for you, contact your veterinarian today for an appointment. It may save you thousands! |
