by KYW's Nan Talleno
There have been many misconceptions regarding the declawing of a cat. Before any decisions are made, it’s best that you are fully aware of the facts.
Declawing is actually a series of amputations of each of the ten front toes of a cat's front paws; also nerves, tendons and muscles of the paws are severed. It would be comparable to a person losing each top part of a finger up to the first knuckle. As expected, the cat experiences considerable pain in the recovery and healing process.
A declawed cat must never be allowed outdoors since the ability to defend himself or even escape from danger has been seriously impaired. Their balance may become challenged. Declawed cats are more likely to become biters as their only means of protection.
Declawing is still practiced in the US but is considered illegal and inhumane in many other countries including the UK, Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Northern Ireland, Brazil, Portugal, and the Netherlands, among others.
The ASPCA, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals highly encourages owners to seek alternatives to declawing their cats. Introduce a scratching post tall enough so your cat can stretch, keep nails trimmed, or save a life by adopting an already declawed cat from a nearby shelter who desperately needs a home.
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