How To Deal With Your Cat's Claws

Declawing

Declawing should be the last resort of a responsible pet owner. Depending on where you live, it might be illegal. Throughout Europe, lawmakers have banned the practice. The State of New York passed a law making declawing illegal, and several other states have legislation on the books to enact similar measures. It's already illegal in Los Angeles, Denver, and San Francisco. Why is this procedure so controversial? It involves more than simply removing the cat's claws. It actually requires amputating the bones of the cat's toes. The human equivalent would be removing your fingertips from the last knuckle. Declawing can cause chronic pain in the back and paws. It alters the way a cat's paws strike the ground when they walk, which can create sores and bone spurs. Declawing often leads to litter box issues since litter can irritate the cat's declawed paws. It leaves cats defenseless if they're outdoors; if an indoor cat accidentally gets out, it's even worse for them. They can't climb to escape predators, and they don't have claws to defend themselves.