Should I declaw my cat? What are the pros, cons, and alternatives?

Question

What are the pros and cons to declawing my 4 1/2 old cat that I have adopted? Pet's info: Cat | American Bobtail | Male | neutered | 3 years and 8 months old | 11 lbs

Jessica Desrosiers · Accepted Answer

Declawing is usually not recommended except as a last-resort option, or if there is an issue with the nailbed or paw itself. Declawing involves ampuatation of the toe to the first joint, rather than just removal of the nail. Declawing also often times leads to increased behavioral issues, especially around the litterbox as using clay litter can be painful to declawed cats. It can also sometimes be painful for a declawed cat to get up and down from objects. Options outside of declawing include regular trimming of the nails, use of objects such as scratching posts to redirect behavior, training of behaviors such as scratching or biting, or using nail caps that fit over the nail and keep them blunt so they can't scratch or destroy furniture. Unless the cat is at risk of being otherwise euthanized, declawing is not recommended.

Should I declaw my cat? What are the pros, cons, and alternatives?

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