When it comes to whether or not to have your cat declawed, there are pros and cons to weigh. On the one hand, declawing can protect your furniture and other belongings from being scratched up. But on the other hand, it’s a major surgical procedure that carries with it some risks for your cat. Here is what you need to know about both the benefits and drawbacks of declawing your feline friend.
How Will My Cat Adjust to Not Having Claws?
If you do decide to have your cat declawed, they will need some time to adjust to not having claws. They may be a bit sore and uncomfortable for the first few days after surgery, and they may not want to walk or jump as much. This is normal, and they should start feeling better within a week or so.
They may also act differently when they don’t have claws. Some cats may become more timid, while others may become more aggressive. This is because they no longer have their natural means of defense, so they may feel like they need to compensate for that in some way. Ultimately, though, most cats adjust just fine to life without their claws.
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Benefits of Declawing
The primary benefit of declawing your cat is that it will help to protect your furniture and other belongings from being scratched up. Cats natural y like to scratch things as a way to mark their territory, and declawing will remove their ability to do this. This can be a major relief for pet owners who are tired of finding their furniture covered in scratch marks.
Another benefit of declawing is that it can help to prevent injuries to you or other people in your household. Cats’ claws can cause serious puncture wounds, and declawing will remove this risk. This is especially important if you have young children in the home who could be injured by a cat’s claws.
Finally, declawing can also make it easier to train your cat not to scratch things that they’re not supposed to. With their claws removed, they’ll be less likely to scratch furniture or other belongings, and this can make training them much simpler.
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Drawbacks of Declawing
The primary drawback of declawing your cat is that it is a major surgical procedure. The surgery involves removing the last bone in each toe on a cat’s paw, and it can be quite painful for them. There is also a risk of infection associated with any surgery, so there are some risks that you’ll need to weigh before deciding whether or not to have your cat declawed.
Another potential drawback of declawing is that it can make your cat less likely to use their litter box. Since they won’t be able to scratch in the litter to cover up their waste, they may start going outside of the box instead. This is something that you’ll need to take into consideration if you’re considering declawing your cat.
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Finally, some people believe that declawing is cruel and unnecessary, and that it’s a practice that should be banned. This is something that you’ll need to decide for yourself, but it’s something to keep in mind before making a decision about declawing your cat.
How to Prepare for Your Cat’s Recovery Post-Surgery
If you do decide to have your cat declawed, there are some things that you’ll need to do to prepare for their recovery. First, you’ll need to get them a set of soft paws or another type of paw protector. This will help to prevent them from being able to scratch at their stitches and causing themselves pain.
You’ll also need to make sure that you have a clean, comfortable place for them to recover. Their litter box should be easily accessible, and you may want to put a towel or blanket down for them to rest on. Finally, you’ll need to keep an eye on them and make sure that they’re healing properly. If you notice any redness, swelling, or discharge from their incisions, you’ll need to contact your vet right away.
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Overall, declawing is a decision that you’ll need to make for yourself. There are both benefits and drawbacks to the procedure, and you’ll need to weigh them carefully before making a decision. If you do decide to go ahead with it, though, be sure to follow the steps above to ensure that your cat has a smooth recovery.
The Bottom Line
There are both benefits and drawbacks to declawing your cat, and you’ll need to weigh them both before making a decision. If you’re considering declawing, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about the risks and benefits so that you can make the best decision for your cat.
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