What is declawing?
Declawing (onychectomy) is an amputation of the cats’ fingertips. Declawing can cause hemorrhage and deformity. It is a very painful procedure and the cat’s feet can remain tender long after the surgery. Many times the cat becomes sensitive to normal touching of their feet during play or grooming. A declawed cat should never be let out of your home. Declawing deprives a cat of their first line of defense. Personality changes after declawing is not uncommon. Many cats overreact to mild stimuli by biting or hissing. Some have litterbox problems. If your are concerned about scratching, think about adopting a cat that has already been declawed. If you have a cat that is scratching, try using a scratching post, water bottle and regular trimming of the claws and repellents.