Cat Declawing & The Alternatives

What you need to know about declaw surgery—and the alternatives

When "kitten season" comes around each year, new cat owners start asking questions about declawing. While we expect some amount of climbing the curtains from rambunctious new kittens, owners begin looking for solutions when the behavior turns truly destructive. What do you need to know about declaw surgery, and what are the alternatives?

Let’s start with what declawing is not. It is not a manicure. It is serious surgery. Declawing is actually an amputation. Your cat’s claw is not simply a nail. In order to remove it, it is necessary to remove the last bone of your cat’s toe.

Please bear in mind that a declaw is a painful surgery, with a lengthy painful recovery period. While Northeast Animal Hospital and Downtown St. Pete Vet Clinic do not perform declaw surgeries by choice, in many countries (including England, Italy, France, and Australia) declawing cats has been outlawed.

There are alternatives to declawing that do not require surgery—or covering all of your furniture in plastic! There is no way to stop a cat from scratching, but you can keep your kitty’s nails trimmed and employ diversion tactics. A little online research will offer various ways of transferring your cat’s attention from the arm of your favorite chair to a more appropriate scratching post. In addition, we often recommend a product called Soft Paws. Our clients have great success with these protective caps—we’ll even put them on for you. Just call and ask us for more information.

Ultimately, our goal is to educate as many people as possible to ensure that each and every kitty is treated with love and respect. Please call Northeast Animal Hospital to schedule a consultation, and we will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have, including other options and alternatives.