A cat’s remarkable grace, agility, and faultless sense of balance are, to a great extent, due to her retractable claws. Claws allow a cat to establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing or stretching. A cat’s claws are also her best defense mechanism.

The outer parts of cats’ claws regularly become worn down and frayed. When a cat scratches, it pulls off the outer part and exposes sharp, smooth claws. Scratching is also a way of fulfilling the cat’s strong instinctive need to mark territory. Not only does a cat mark an object visibly by scratching it, but scratching deposits secretions from glands in the paws that become a "Fluffy was here" signpost to other cats. Scratching may also serve psychological and physiological needs by providing comfort and expression in kneading. It also provides valuable stretching and foot-muscle exercise.

Declawing is not the same thing as a nail trim. A nail trim is just cutting off the very tip of a nail— it’s not painful and not extreme. In contrast to regular nail maintenance, the standard declawing procedure calls for the removal of three things: the claw, the cells responsible for growth at the base and part, if not all, of the terminal bone of the toe. The operation is usually performed on the front feet. It is actually an amputation comparable to the removal of the fingers of a human hand at the last knuckle. The cat experiences considerable pain in the recovery and healing process.

In addition to the need for general anesthesia, which always presents a certain degree of risk to the patient’s health and life, infection and blood loss are possible surgical complications of declawing. An incorrectly positioned cut can remove too much of the toe, taking with it part or all of the toe pad. If the whole claw is not removed, misshapen claws can grow back, requiring additional surgery. If a cat’s nail is brittle or the trimmer is dull, the bone may shatter and cause what is called sequestrum, which serves as a focus for infection, causing continuous drainage from the toe. This necessitates a second anesthesia and surgery. Abnormal growth of severed nerve ends can also occur, causing long-term and painful sensations to the toes. Great care must be taken after surgery to be sure that bandages wrapped tightly to control bleeding do not cut off circulation.

Although no definitive studies have been conducted on the effects of declawing, owners and veterinarians have noticed personality changes in some declawed cats. Formerly lively, friendly animals have become withdrawn and introverted. Others deprived of their primary form of defense become nervous, fearful, and/or aggressive, often using their only remaining defense: their teeth. The constant state of stress caused by a feeling of defenselessness may make some cats more prone to disease. Constant pain from the procedure could also transform a once social and carefree kitty into a cranky misanthrope. Some cats stop using their litter pan. This may be associated with the discomfort of scratching in the litter with painful paws after surgery.

A declawed cat must never be allowed outdoors. Its ability to defend itself or escape danger has been seriously impaired. Even indoors, a cat without claws faces dangers. One physical effect of declawing is a gradual weakening of the muscles in the legs, shoulders, and back. The cat’s balance is impaired. This combined with the fact that despite its grace, a cat’s surefootedness depends on its ability to grasp quickly with its claws, means that a declawed animal can easily be injured in a fall.

Cats Need Claws; Don't Declaw!