DECLAWING
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Declawing of Cats -
CFA Guidance Statement
"The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes that scratching is a
natural behavior of cats and that cats may be defenseless without
full use of their claws if they, either intentionally or
unintentionally, go outdoors. Scratching damage to household
furnishings can be minimized or avoided by routine clipping of the
claws, the use of claw covers and by redirecting the cat's activity
to acceptable surfaces.
CFA perceives the declawing of cats (onychectomy ) and the severing
of digital tendons (tendonectomy) to be elective surgical procedures
that are without benefit to the cat. Because of the discomfort
associated with any surgery and potential future behavioral or
physical effects, CFA disapproves of routine declawing or
tendonectomy surgery in lieu of alternative solutions to prevent
household damage. In certain situations, including high risk of
injury or disease transmission to owners with bleeding disorders or
compromised immune systems, declawing may be justified in order to
maintain the cat-human bond. "
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Information summary
Surgical procedures:
The most common surgical procedure, onychectomy, or "declawing", is
amputation of the claw and the end toe bone joint. The surgery has a
reputation for causing pain for a week or more and the possibility
of postoperative complications, such as infection, hemorrhage, nail
regrowth and altered feeling in the toes for some time after
surgery. There is disagreement as to whether declawing leads to
behavioral problems in cats. There is concern for the welfare of
cats who can not defend themselves or climb to safety if they are
able to go outside. A declawed cat will still scratch but without
damage to furnishings.
An alternative surgical procedure, deep digital flexor tendonectomy,
was first described by John Rife, DVM (Journal AAHA, Jan/Feb 1988).
This surgery involves severing the tendon attached to the end toe
digit but maintaining the claw in the sheath. It is not possible to
detect the surgery visually but the cat is no longer able to extend
the claws. The technique limits the cat's ability to damage surfaces
when scratching as long as the claws are kept trimmed. It is less
painful (cats recover within 2 days) and it has minimal
postoperative risks. However, ongoing claw trimming is a must or the
cat can use its claws again to some degree and there is a risk of
ingrowth into the paw pads. Some veterinarians have reported joint
fusion and arthritis problems. The technique has not been favored by
most veterinarians mainly because of the above negative factors and
the potential of the client's dissatisfaction and ultimate desire
for declawing.
Behavioral aspects:
Animal behaviorists currently believe that the main function of
scratching for the cat is communication. It is natural, instinctual
behavior. Scratching involves not only leaving a visual mark but it
is an attention getting, happiness display. Ideally the cat should
be encouraged in this behavior; however, because of damage to
furnishings, most cat owners reach a compromise with the cat by claw
clipping and redirecting to other acceptable surfaces or using the
relatively new claw guards, and most cats are adaptable enough to
accept this arrangement. In addition cats raised by pedigreed cat
breeders can be deterred even further by early kitten handling. (My
own experience indicates that scratching becomes an ingrained habit
which initially surfaces at the time a 4 or 5 week old kitten
becomes aware of the magic of its claws when he pulls himself over
the kitten box. This is when all cat habits, like use of the litter
box, start to develop.) Breeders can greatly minimize the scratching
habit, and associated problems, by not allowing access to attractive
home furnishing surfaces (i.e. fabrics, carpet) and by only making
acceptable scratching surfaces available, such as cardboard or rope
posts, until the kitten reaches the age of 8 to 10 weeks. Cattery
raised kittens can have good scratching habits ingrained during this
early period.
The majority of American veterinarians perform declawing surgery,
either routinely suggesting it to clients or as a last resort for
cats that would face euthanasia. Many cat owners who have their cats
declawed because of a perceived cat damage "problem" have not even
tried any other solution first.
There is no question that most humane shelters have taken a strong
stand against declawing and there are numerous anecdotal reports of
behavior problems in declawed cats. In some countries, such as Great
Britain, declawing (except for medical reasons) is not permitted.
Tuffs University School of Veterinary Medicine advocates thoroughly
exploring noninvasive options and only if a client considers getting
rid of the cat performing surgical removal The AVMA policy is as
follows: "The declawing of the domestic cat is justifiable when the
cat can not be trained to refrain from using its claws
destructively. (1994)"
At the October 1996 meeting the CFA Board of Directors also approved
an addition to the showrules which disallows tendonectomy in show
cats. The showrules also were modified to allow claw covers in the
household pet class."
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