Kitten season is upon us! When taking a new kitten into your home, there are many aspects to think about. One of those life decisions is declawing your pet. Onychectomy, or declawing, is the surgical amputation of the nail and distal toe bones. This procedure is usually performed on the front feet but can be done on all four paws if requested. The procedure itself is very painful for your cat, but the recovery is even more painful.
Instead of declawing your cat, there are several ways you can support their natural tendency to scratch. Here are some suggestions:
- Offer a variety of scratching posts and pads
- Trim your cat’s nails every 6-8 weeks
- Spray deterrent sprays such as FELIWAY® and place a scratching post nearby
- Dedicate time to redirect and train your cat
If you are still considering declawing, please consult with your veterinarian to discuss pain management during and after the procedure.
