Declawing Cats is a horrible, inhumane, and extremely painful process. The purpose is to stop Cats from scratching household items by removing their claws. In reality, it is just pure torture for the cat. Clawing is a natural instinct, and you can easily redirect this behavior using a scratching post, and positive reinforcement. Bottom line. Stop this practice in the United States, and get Congress to pass a law making it illegal!

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Declawing cats is perhaps the most controversial surgical procedure performed by veterinarians today. So controversial, in fact, that countless people consider it a cruel form of mutilation. It’s illegal in many parts of the world, including England, Australia, Germany, Finland, Brazil and many other countries, where it’s considered inhumane. The recovery from a declaw surgery results in excruciating pain for the cat. A cat’s claws are vital – they are not only a defense mechanism – they provide balance, mobility, exercise, and stretch, and they allow him to mark his territory.

To understand why declawing is so very controversial, it is important to understand exactly what’s involved in the procedure. It’s not merely a trimming of the claws. Declawing is a surgical removal of the claws. And to prevent the regrowth of those claws, the entire first joint of each toe is amputated.

Imagine having your fingers and toes amputated at the first knuckle, and then imagine the pain of walking on them afterward. OUCH, Right? That’s the challenge that declawed cats face, and why we do not adopt cats who will be declawed.

But the short-term effects of declawing are not the only problems. Declawing can lead to serious long-term physical and behavioral problems with cats. Declawed cats may avoid the litter box because many litters are too painful for their tender paws. Since their primary defense is gone, declawed cats may turn to biting as a defense mechanism. Cats walk on their toes, and once they are declawed and their first joints are amputated, their gait will change which may eventually lead to arthritis and pain in the legs, hips, and back.

Many cat owners have seen the devastating effects of declawing on their own beloved pets and have vowed they would never do it again, knowing what they know now.

NEW EDITS: I did some more research on cat declawing, and found some new evidence that I am going to add, sources are at the bottom.

"When cats use the litter box, they tend to dig, or at least cover up their leavings. If cat litter gets in those wounds, it hurts. So a cat may avoid going in the litter box.”

"Serious Side Effects Include: An adverse reaction to the general anesthetic, and this can include death. If bandages are wrapped too tightly, the foot may become gangrenous and necessitate amputation of the leg. When bandages are removed, many cats continue to profusely bleed and require re bandaging."

ARTICLE CREDIT: https://warmhearts.org/alternatives-to-declawing/​

https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/7-negative-side-effects-declawing-your-cat​

https://www.paws.org/resources/problems-with-declawing/