Cat Limping After Declawing – How The Experts Solve It

Some owners who cannot stand the thought of their cats scratching the furniture have them declawed,

a permanent procedure that surgically removes the claws.

Although it is natural for cats to scratch, some owners use declawning as a away to correct what they believe are bad scratching behaviors. What these owners do not realize is that in addition to making the cat defenseless, it affects the way he walks and throws him off balance.

Declawning a healthy cat can be dangerous. Most owners do not realize that the cat is undergoing surgery. As with any surgery, there is always the risk that the animal could have a negative reaction to the anesthetic. If the surgery is not done properly, the cat could develop an ingrown claw or claws, which would require additional surgery.

Most cats do not like to wear post surgical bandages on their feet and tear them off (or rip out their stitches), which can lead to excessive bleeding, infection, or the need to have the feet restitched and rebandaged.

Many cats who have been declawed suffer psychological problems. They may develop distrust for their owners, become confused as to why their feet hurt, and not understand why they can no longer scratch anything. Some become aggressive toward other pets or humans in the home and resort to biting as a means of defense. Other become depressed and are never quite the same.

Many veterinarians refuse to perform declawing surgery and recommend having the nails trimmed instead. Be kind to your cat or kitten, and do not force him to undergo this cruel procedure.