How to Declaw a Cat

Contributor

By John Gugie
eHow Contributing Writer

Article Rating: (9 Ratings)

Cat foot and cat foot that has been declawed

Declawing a cat is very controversial. Some people consider it to be inhumane because of the pain and emotional distress brought the cats. While there is some level of temporary pain, it is yet to be proven whether or not it causes irreparable emotional issues. Cat owners do not automatically need to have their cats declawed. Some owners seem to believe that it is a necessary procedure, when it really is not. The main reasons to have your cat declawed include scratching furniture, scratching people, or, on rare occasions, medical necessity. There are alternatives to declawing, such as "Soft Paws", which are soft claw covers glued over cat claws. Declawing (Onychectomy) does not only involve removal of the claws. It is a surgery that amputates the last bone of each of the ten toes and requires anesthesia, sutures, and over a week to recover. It is best that a cat owner weigh all of their options before deciding on declawing.This "how to" describes the Resco Clipper method, which is one of the most common methods of declawing with a nail trimmer. There are other more complex and costly methods. The disarticulation method involves cutting all of the ligaments holding the third bone in place. The laser declaw involves using a laser to disarticulate the third bone. Tendonectomy involves cutting the tendons, which prevents the claw from being extended but the claw keeps growing.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Anesthesia
Forceps
Nail trimmer
Scalpel
Surgical glue
Bandages
Pain medication

Step 1

Anesthetize the cat.
Step 2

Pull the cat's claw out by pushing up under the footpad and holding it with forceps.
Step 3

Place the ring of a nail trimmer between the second phalanx and the ungual crest.
Step 4

Place the scalpel blade in front of the footpad.
Step 5

Cut the tissues over the flexor process.
Step 6

Release the scalpel blade slightly so that the flexor process slips out and above the blade.
Step 7

Cut the flexor tendon and separate the joint between the second and third phalanx.
Step 8

Remove the third phalanx.
Step 9

Repeat for each of the 10 claws.
Step 10

Seal the incisions with surgical glue.
Step 11

Bandage the paws overnight.
Step 12

Remove the bandages. Release the cat to go home and allow to heal over 10 days.
Step 13

Optional. Send cat home with some type of pain medication, such as a fentanyl patch.