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Declawing (Onychectomy) is amputating the end of the digits (fingers) of the cat. As already mentioned here, it can result in continued pain and can affect the cat's gait. It also renders the cat almost defenceless, and disabled in the cat's inability to climb trees and the like.

From the ASPCA:

Cats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

When making a decision about whether a procedure should be done on a pet, one must ask this:

Is this for the pet's benefit or to convenience the owner?

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections.

Declawing cats is illegal in many countries

• UK
• Australia
• Israel
• Brazil
• parts of Europe

Declawing (Onychectomy) is amputating the end of the digits (fingers) of the cat. As already mentioned here, it can result in continued pain and can affect the cat's gait. It also renders the cat almost defenceless, and disabled in the cat's inability to climb trees and the like.

From the ASPCA:

Cats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

When making a decision about whether a procedure should be done on a pet, one must ask this:

Is this for the pet's benefit or to convenience the owner?

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections.

Declawing cats is illegal in many countries, including the UK, Australia, Israel, Brazil, and parts of Continental Europe.

Overview

Responsible pet ownership means taking into account the natural feature of a pet and adapting our lifestyles accordingly to include the pet.

I would liken this question to:

When is amputation appropriate?

Only when medically needed for the well being of the cat.

Declawing (Onychectomy) is amputating the end of the digits (fingers) of the cat. As already mentioned here, it can result in continued pain and can affect the cat's gait. It also renders the cat almost defenceless, and disabled in the cat's inability to climb trees and the like.

From the ASPCA:

Cats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

When making a decision about whether a procedure should be done on a pet, one must ask this:

Is this for the pet's benefit or to convenience the owner?

Of course it is not quite so black and white, as desexing pets, can improve pet behaviour, but as a whole it benefits the pets, from unwanted litters and ultimately homeless offspring.

Declawing for human benefit

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections.

Declawing cats is illegal in many countries

• UK
• Australia
• Israel
• Brazil
• parts of Europe

Declawing (Onychectomy) is amputating the end of the digits (fingers) of the cat. As already mentioned here, it can result in continued pain and can affect the cat's gait. It also renders the cat almost defenceless, and disabled in the cat's inability to climb trees and the like.

From the ASPCA:

Cats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

When making a decision about whether a procedure should be done on a pet, one must ask this:

Is this for the pet's benefit or to convenience the owner?

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections.

Declawing cats is illegal in many countries

• UK
• Australia
• Israel
• Brazil
• parts of Europe

Overview

Responsible pet ownership means taking into account the natural feature of a pet and adapting our lifestyles accordingly to include the pet.

I would liken this question to:

When is amputation appropriate?

Only when medically needed for the well being of the cat.

Declawing is amputating the end of the digits (fingers) of the cat. As already mentioned here, it can result in continued pain and can affect the cat's gait. It also renders the cat almost defenceless, and disabled in the cat's inability to climb trees and the like.

From the ASPCA:

Cats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

When making a decision about whether a procedure should be done on a pet, one must ask this:

Is this for the pet's benefit or to convenience the owner?

Of course it is not quite so black and white, as desexing pets, can improve pet behaviour, but as a whole it benefits the pets, from unwanted litters and ultimately homeless offspring.

Declawing for human benefit

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections.

Declawing cats is illegal in many countries.

Overview

Responsible pet ownership means taking into account the natural feature of a pet and adapting our lifestyles accordingly to include the pet.

I would liken this question to:

When is amputation appropriate?

Only when medically needed for the well being of the cat.

Declawing (Onychectomy) is amputating the end of the digits (fingers) of the cat. As already mentioned here, it can result in continued pain and can affect the cat's gait. It also renders the cat almost defenceless, and disabled in the cat's inability to climb trees and the like.

From the ASPCA:

Cats' claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. In addition, a cat who is attempting to climb to safety uses her claws to grip a surface and hold on.

When making a decision about whether a procedure should be done on a pet, one must ask this:

Is this for the pet's benefit or to convenience the owner?

Of course it is not quite so black and white, as desexing pets, can improve pet behaviour, but as a whole it benefits the pets, from unwanted litters and ultimately homeless offspring.

Declawing for human benefit

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their guardians. The only circumstance in which the procedure could be condoned would be if the health and safety of the guardian would be put at risk, as in the case of individuals with compromised immune systems or illnesses that cause them to be unusually susceptible to serious infections.

Declawing cats is illegal in many countries

• UK
• Australia
• Israel
• Brazil
• parts of Europe