Dr. Larry's Animal House

Feline Follies - Cat Behavior

The Cat Declawing Controversy

Probably no other medical procedure used to correct cat behavior provokes as much controversy as the de-clawing operation, or onyxectomy. The surgery, performed under general anesthesia, involves removing the nail and the portion of bone containing the nail growth plate.

Medically oriented animal behaviorists and veterinarians tend to favor de-clawing while behaviorally/psychologically oriented behaviorists tend to denounce it. I'm in the latter category. I see it as cruel, unnecessary, and physically and potentially emotionally damaging to the cat. (For the same reasons, I'm also against de-barking and de-fanging dogs). In this, I'm in good company with a couple of heavyweights in the cat world: zoologist Desmond Morris and cat therapist Carole C. Wilbourn. Morris says it well: "…To remove a cat's claws is far worse than to deprive cat owners of their fingernails. This is because the claws have so many important functions in the life of the cat. A de-clawed cat is a maimed cat and anyone considering having the operation done to their pet should think again…(N)o excuse can justify the operation."

Some of the physical problems a de-clawed cat may suffer:

• A bad reaction to the anesthesia.
• General post-operative pain and medical problems, which can include excessive bleeding and even gangrene.
• Difficulty grooming itself properly.
• Difficulty climbing because of a reduced ability to grip. Thus, it won't be able to climb trees to escape dogs and, in fact, might hurt itself by trying to climb high objects and falling.
• Effective elimination of its ability to hunt.

There is also the potential for long-term emotional problems such as insecurity, a loss of trust toward its owner and increased aggression – the cat overcompensating for its physical loss. This emotional trauma can lead to an increase in the likelihood of the cat developing certain physical problems: cystitis, skin disorders and asthma-like conditions.