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I have always been supportive of educating the public about the facts of declawing and what the procedure entails. The procedure is the amputation of the last digit of a cat’s third toe bone (third phalanx). When I opened my clinic, we would consult clients on what happened when a cat was declawed. It was surprising that many people did not thoroughly understand that declawing is not medically necessary in almost all instances. Additionally, most people do not understand the inherent risk and complications from this surgical procedure that include but are not limited to acute pain, infection, and nerve pain.
Scratching is normal behavior for cats that has a primal function – the primary reason cats scratch is to maintain the necessary claw motion used in hunting and climbing as well as a means to stretch their body. Scratching can be directed to areas that owner consider appropriate by offering alterative for cats scratching post.
Because of this client education, we did very few declaws every year. When Ellen Carozza, LVT started working a the clinic in early 2000, she was opposed to declawing. After deliberation, I made the decision to stop doing them. The decision was an easy one for many reasons.
Ellen is very passionate and always makes a compelling argument. Second because of education, we were not doing more than a handful a year. It was easy to stop.
We do refer people to other facilities if they wish to have the procedure performed, but not before we educate the cat owner on the facts and risks of the procedure and provide them with alternative declawing. I honestly cannot recall the last time I referred someone.
Both the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) have revised their policies on declawing. Both position statements place heavy emphasis on client education.
If you are going to adopt a new cat and are considering declawing, my recommendation is to go to a shelter and adopt a cat that has been relinquished. One study showed that up to 60% of cats in shelters are declawed. By acquiring a cat in the manner, you get to help give a homeless cat a home. If you already have a cat and have question about scratching behaviors, please give us a call at 703 525-1955 or email. We can work with you to find alternatives and redirect scratching behavior.
The decision to not declaw cat has been a personal one, and I am a full supporter of any initiative or resource that places heavy emphasis on client education. It is our obligation as veterinarians to educate clients about declawing and give them recommendations that allow their cats to express scratching behaviors in appropriate manners
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