Debating whether or not to declaw your cat can be an emotive issue; people have strong opinions both ways on this matter. Some cities, states and even countries have outlawed declawing altogether! While declawing may not be right for every situation here are some benefits and drawbacks of doing it if your cat needs one.
What Is Cat Declawing? Declawing is an elective procedure in which the distal phalanx (the end of each digit) of a cat’s paws are surgically removed to help prevent unwanted scratches on furniture or skin. Although its exact date of introduction to veterinary schools remains unclear, articles detailing declaw procedures were published by veterinary journals as far back as 1966.