Cat Declawing: A Surgery Wrongly Being Used as a Marketing Tool
Published August 29, 2011
Jo Singer
More and more, declawing surgery for your cat is wrongly being used as a marketing tool.
Banned in over 37 counties around the world, cat declawing remains legal in the United States and Canada, with the exception of a few cities in the great state of California.
It is no secret that this writer opposes the practice of feline declawing, which a large number of veterinary practices around the country routinely perform. While I understand that many cat owners out there simply don’t know that declawing isn’t necessary, I think it’s up to all of us--veterinary practices included--to educate potential cat owners.
What really bothers me is--although the American Veterinary Association cautions the procedure not be performed until every possible alternative measure is taken; i.e., providing appropriate scratching posts and cat trees, learning to trim nails, or applying plastic nail covers--many veterinary clinics offer bargain rates for the surgery in conjunction with neutering or spaying very young kittens. Essentially, these offers make declawing a sort of marketing tool for many facilities.
Using surgery as a marketing tool just doesn’t sit right with me.
Kittens being spayed and neutered simply aren’t old enough to have had the chance to demonstrate they can be taught to use scratching posts and cat trees, and accept nail trimming without putting up a fuss.
Our two guys, Dr. Hush Puppy and Sir Hubble Pinkerton happily sit in my lap, purring up a storm whenever I trim the sharp tips of their nails, rubbing their bellies and of course, offering treats each time they receive their bi-weekly manicure. I really think they are relieved that their tender paws won’t get stuck on any of our cloth furniture or when they are madly chasing each other around the house on our carpeting.
I noticed how widely the “bargain pricing” tactic is used when I was scrolling through Stop the Declawing Madness, a group to which I belong, that has over 2500 members and is growing. On the website - “Find a Veterinarian- Local Vets and Veterinary Clinics and Vet Services”, one only has to type in a zip code and search to see what the clinics offer. Declawing is boldly advertised on an extraordinary number of clinic sites. So if you want to know who is declawing, check out the website. Please note that some California cities are still listed, even though it is illegal, which hopefully is an oversight that needs revision.
You see, in reality, with the rare exception of an intractable infection or cancer around the nail bed, as far as I am concerned, there is never a reason to declaw cats.
One of the most brilliant videos posted on the Internet explaining why cats should not be declawed was uploaded to YouTube by feline behaviorist, Jackson Galaxy, aka TheCatDaddy66. In the video, Jackson answers questions posed by viewers. The section on declawing starts at 4:15 into the video. Additionally this is a terrific resource to share with friends who might not know there is an alternative to declawing.
What are your opinions on feline declawing? Share in a comment.
Shortly after retiring as a social worker and psychotherapist, I discovered my "writer's voice"…
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Comments (17)
I still believe that declawing any cat should be banned in all states. And veterinarians should not be allowed to use it as any marketing tool for any reason. They should be expected to explain what declawing cats is all about and how it is done. Stricter laws need to be in place.
animal cruelty at its worst people that have this done to any animal should be put in jail,it makes me sick and vets should not be allowed to perform this torcher.
I have 6 cats; 3 declawed, and 3 not. I never thought I'd have a cat declawed, but when my beloved Clifton @ 6 weeks of age (a stray kitten I found and totally loved) decided he hated my grandaughter (also 6 weeks old) I consulted my vet. His comment was that if it were between declawing and giving the cat an INSIDE FOREVER LOVING HOME, he'd opt for the declaw. (He'd been our vet for over 15 years) So I did have Clifton declawed (front only). Cliff never seemed to suffer any of the undesireable effects of being declawed. A couple years later when I adopted a full grown male cat (not declawed) from the vet...the owner just decided she didn't "want him" any more and brought him in to be destroyed, I thought it unfair to bring him into the home (as a full grown, newly neutered male) with Chester declawed and dominant. The vet supplied the neuter for free, I paid for the front declaw. Again, no adverse reactions. Then when I adopted Wheezel, I wasn't going to declaw HER, but she kept mimicing Chester and Flakey 'digging' on doors...hence I would have had no woodwork left so I had her declawed @ 6 months of age along with spaying due to her asthma (the name "Wheezel" refers to her wheezing!)
Missytoe followed again, declawed, but at a much earlier age than the others -- only 6 weeks. She NEVER missed her front claws although she still "sharpens" her claws on the cat post.
Unfortunately, both Clifton and Flakey have passed.
Chester and Mouse came later, and still have their claws intact. I won't ever have another cat declawed, but I can honestly say I've never experienced any of the behaviour issues I see published between my clawed and declawed cats. Had it not been for the safety of my baby granddaughter, none of the declaws would have happened..but I agree with my vet...if it's give the kitten/cat a good forever inside home or pitch it back out onto the street, I'd keep him inside and declaw. I hope I never have to make that decision again.
Many people claim to have personal "medical reasons" to need their cats declawed: taking anti-clotting drugs for heart problems, having diabetes, skin sensitivities... Those are legitimate concerns. BUT instead of submitting an innocent cat to this crippling procedure, PLEASE adopt a cat from a shelter who has already had this mutilation, and give him or her a loving secure and nonthreatening home. Do not subject another individual to this torture.