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Breaking Down 3 Top Myths About Declawing Your Cat

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Cats are known to scratch. Cats like to work out their claws on all types of surfaces, which can become a problem if your cat is working out their claws all over your home and damaging your furniture and belongings.

One way to stop your cat from scratching all over the place is by having your cat declawed. Declawing is a surgical procedure where your cat's claw is amputated. Your cat's claw is attached to a bone in their toe, hence why this is a surgical process and not merely an issue of cutting your cat's fingernails. When your cat is declawed, their claw is surgically removed and will not continue to grow.

There is a lot of myths and misinformation about declawing cats. Some groups oppose this procedure, but it is a safe procedure that a licensed veterinarian can perform. It is important to understand the truth about declawing your cat if you are interested in the process.

Myth #1: Declawing a Cat is Incredibly Painful

Yes, there is some pain associated with declawing your cat. After all, your cat is undergoing a surgical procedure, and you will have to take special care of their claws for a few weeks.

However, declawing your cat is not so painful that your cat can't endure the pain. It falls on about the same pain level for your cat as getting spayed and neutered. There is some pain associated with the procedure, but pain relief is provided for your cat to make the procedure and the recovery a smooth process. Your cat will be comfortable and will not be in pain all the time if you go through with this procedure.

Myth #2: Only Kitchens Can Be Declawed

A cat can be declawed at any point in its life. Kittens recover more quickly from the declawing process, often bouncing back just mere hours after the surgery. Adult cats typically require about a week to get back to their normal selves following the surgery.

Although kittens recover from the declawing process more quickly, kitchens can also be trained to scratch in an appropriate and non-destructive manner, which is why many vets will suggest you wait for your kitchen to grow up to see if their scratching is really a problem.

Myth #3: Declawing Stops a Cat for Using the Litter Box

Some people hold back on having their cat declawed from a misguided fear that declawing their cat will lead to their cat no longer using the litter box. Your cat's instinct to use the litter box to bury their waste will not disappear just because they are declawed. You are going to need to provide your cat with extra-comfortable litter for a while, and your cat may prefer fine-grained litter over thicker grain litter for the rest of their lives. However, your cat will still use the litter box if you have them declawed.

Declawing your cat is an elective, safe procedure that will stop your cat from scratching up your home. If you want to know more about the declawing process, rely on your vet for accurate information. Contact a clinic, like Animal House Veterinary Hospital, for further assistance.


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