Why the Veterinary Profession in the U.S. Supports Cat Declawing.

Declawing of domestic cats (onychectomy) has long been a contentious issue in the U.S., making headlines recently because New York became the first State to ban it. While its practice can only be described as barbaric and lacking moral or ethical support, most countries still allow this practice despite it having no medical justification; surprising as well is that global veterinary professionals, particularly U.S. veterinarians seem unwilling to step in and stop it.

Lawfully legal in both the USA and Canada, although certain cities such as Denver and Los Angeles prohibit it. Popular in the US because many owners live in high rise apartments without access to outdoor environments where cats can naturally scratch themselves; banned elsewhere including Europe, UK, Australia and New Zealand due to being unnecessary and inhumane; such operations involve cutting off each end bone of each toe with either guillotine clippers or scalpels under anaesthetic using nerve blocks for each paw paw; in some instances laser cutting may also used; watching such operations would likely make most people shudder with discomfort!

Cats may experience multiple side effects following surgery. After being bandaged up afterward and hospitalised for two days, cats are given seven-day doses of painkillers; side effects could include numbness in their paws, infection and backache; as well as ongoing medication usage if necessary. It’s surprising that so many vets still opt to perform it and campaign against its possible banishment.

Due to campaigns to outlaw declawing, veterinarians are advocating tendonectomy – in which the tendons that allow cats to extend their claws are surgically severed – as an alternative solution. Plastic caps glued over claws is another form of non-surgical solution; but due to pet trade practices plastic caps have become fashion crazes which spread like wildfire on social media. But which method really is best?