If You Love Your Cat Do Not Declaw
Much has been said by many, in and out of the Veterinary profession, about declawing. Pet Pride of New York, Inc. has some firm suggestions for people who are going to adopt a cat or who are considering declawing a cat they
already own.
The claw grows out of the third phalanx of a cat's toe. A claw is roughly like a human toenail and the third phalanx is something like the last third of a human toe. Complete excision of the third phalanx is ideal in order to assure good results. To declaw properly, the joint capsule and associated tendons and ligaments must be severed completely at the joint space. If a piece of bone is left behind, it could be the origin of a claw that regrows.
It is a messy sight to view when a claw juts up from the top of the foot, and it is a hazard and a discomfort to the cat.
Based on our observation of many cats, and on talks with cat people who have problems because of declawing, we have discovered these very interesting facts:
About fifty percent of the cats that are declawed stop using the litter pan and choose a soft place for a toilet, like the mathematical center of an oriental rug. Because the cat's defense mechanism has been removed, they resort to biting. In addition to these two unacceptable habits, declawed cats become very apprehensive when being moved and dislike changes of any kind where their security is threatened.
