Declawing is a serious surgery that involves 10 amputations – removal of the front claws along with a portion of bone and the attached tendons and nerves. According to veterinarian Jean Hofve, complications after declawing surgery may include:
- Abscess
- Aggression
- Altered gait (eventually leading to arthritis)
- Bleeding
- Claw regrowth
- Cystitis (from stress)
- Infection
- Lethargy
- Long-term pain
- Permanent tissue or nerve damage
- Prolongued lameness
- Self-mutilation
- Tissue necrosis
- Urinating and defecating outside the litter box
Complication rates vary from one study to the next, though all have found some post-surgical problems. In Landsberg’s (1991) survey of veterinarians:
- Nearly 25% reported nail regrowth
- Nearly 10% reported other long-term complications
In Jankowski’s (1998) study, 24% of declawed cats suffered post-surgical complications, including haemorrhage, infection, and behaviour change. Yeon et al.’s (2001) study found an even higher rate of problems, with 80% suffering one or more medical complications and 33% developing behaviour problems (most commonly litter box avoidance) after declawing surgery
Veterinarian Observations of Post-Declawing Problems
A number of veterinarians are opposed to declaw surgery because they have observed the problems it can cause. Veterinarian David Hammett reports that “Bungled surgery can result in the regrowth of deformed claws or in an infection leading to gangrene. Balance is affected by the inability to grasp with their claws. Chronic physical ailments such as cystitis or skin disorders can be manifestations of a declawed cat's frustration and stress.”
Veterinarian Brenda McClelland notes that cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and asthma have been linked to the stress of declaw surgery. Such chronic health problems may not show up in studies, many of which focus only on immediate post-surgical complications that land cats back in the animal hospital shortly after surgery.
Declawed cats are also at increased risk for injury and death if they go outside. Veterinarian Jean Hofve reports that declawed cats have been injured or even killed by other animals because they were unable to escape or protect themselves properly.
Pain Associated with Declawing Surgery
Veterinarian Kip Lemke describes declawing as severely painful, compared to moderately painful for spaying and mildly painful for neutering. Dr. Katherine Houpt, a professor and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine, agrees, stating that “Declawing is very painful – there’s no question about that” (quoted on the Paw Project website).
According to veterinarian Nicholas Dodman: “The inhumanity of the procedure is clearly demonstrated by the nature of cats’ recovery from anesthesia following the surgery. Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain. Cats that are more stoic huddle in the corner of the recovery cage, immobilized in a state of helplessness, presumably by overwhelming pain." Dodman also notes that "Partial digital amputation is so horrible that it has been employed for torture of prisoners of war” (from The Cat Who Cried For Help, reprinted on the Max’s House Animal Rescue website)
Pain from declaw surgery may last well beyond the surgery recovery period. According to Dr. Gaynor, DVM: “It is becoming more and more apparent that a number of feline patients who have declaw procedures performed have subsequent chronic pain issues.”
Why do many people, including some veterinarians, insist that declawing is not an exceptionally painful surgery? Landsberg (1991) found that in 34% of cases, declawed cats showed overt indications of post-surgical pain, and this is probably just the tip of the iceberg, given that cats tend to be stoic and hide their suffering. According to Dr. Karen Tobias of the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, “owners or veterinarians may think they're sleeping comfortably and not in any pain.”
Behavioural Problems Associated with Declawing
In addition to the potential for both short- and long-term physical complications, many cats develop long-term behavioural problems after declawing surgery. Also, contrary to popular belief, declawed cats are actually more likely to be surrendered to shelters than intact cats.
To address the problem of scratching, more humane options include training cats to use a scratch post rather than the furniture, using Soft Paws nail caps, and trimming a cat’s claws.
References:
- Dodman, N. (1999). The Cat Who Cried for Help. New York: Bantam. Quoted on Maxshouse.com.
- Hammett, D.E., & Bucciarelli, S. (2001). “Is Declawing Cruel?” PetStation.com.
- Hofve, J. (2010). “Declawing and Science – Should Declawing be Banned?” LittleBigCat.com.
- Hofve, J. (2001). “FAQs on Declawing and Feline Scratching Behavior.” PawProject.com.
- Jankowski et al. (1998). “Comparison of Effects of Elective Tenectomy or Onychectomy in Cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 213: 370-373.
- Landsberg, G.M. (1991). “Declawing is Controversial but Saves Pets: A Veterinarian Survey.” Vet Forum, 8: 66-67.
- McClelland, B. (January 2006). “Declaw Details.” Cat Fancy Magazine, p. 44-47. Quoted on PawsNeedClaws.com.
- Landsberg, G.M. (1991). “Cat Owners' Attitudes Toward Declawing. “Anthrozoos, 4: 192-197.
- Yeon, S.C., et al. (2001). “Attitudes of Owners Regarding Tendonectomy and Onychectomy in Cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 218: 43-47.
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
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