The Ethical Debate on Cat Declawing: A Vets' Perspective

Everyone knows that declawing cats is bad and the procedure is illegal in many countries. However, why do veterinarians in the USA, who are aware of the negative consequences it produces, still perform it?

The answer is multifaceted. For many veterinarians, declawing is often a way to keep cats from being rehomed or ending up in less desirable living conditions. While I do not personally approve of the concept of declawing, in the context of pet shelters, I have come to the conclusion that it is better to see a cat get declawed and adopted than to remain in the shelter, where the chances of adoption are slim and euthanasia is a real possibility.

Behind the Scenes in a Shelter

From my personal experience working in a shelter for a short period of time, I can vouch for the harsh realities of animal euthanasia. Even in shelters that claim to be non-kill, the daily euthanasia rate is alarmingly high. The reality is that the majority of cats in shelters go unadopted, and significant numbers are euthanized. Thus, the pragmatic decision to declaw a cat can seem like the lesser of two evils in a saturated shelter environment.

A Historical Perspective

I graduated from veterinary school in 1997, a time when declawing was gradually losing favor but still widely accepted. As a new vet, I participated in declawing procedures myself. Cat declawing was often seen as a necessary evil for cats living indoors, as destructive clawing behavior could lead to rehoming or an outdoor lifestyle which was less desirable.

The Evolution of Mindset

Over the first decade of my career, I continued to perform declawing procedures. However, my perspective began to shift as I delved deeper into the research and interacted with patients post-operatively. Studies on the long-term impact on cats, such as changes in force plate pressure, the serious nature of the procedure (which involves amputating the last bone in each toe), and the underlying cat behavior became increasingly clear.

My understanding of the ethics of declawing led me to reconsider my role in the procedure. I felt that while clients could seek out other veterinarians who performed declawing, the ethical responsibility was to be on the side of animal welfare. Thus, about 15 years ago, I made a personal decision to no longer perform routine declaw procedures.

Education and Advocacy

Stopping declawing required me to educate my clients about the true nature of the procedure, which far surpasses the impression of a simple "declawing." I also delved into alternative methods to redirect normal cat behavior, such as scratching posts, claw covers, and positive reinforcement training. I found that many cat owners were unaware of these options and were unaware of the true implications of declawing.

My journey towards opposing declawing led me to reevaluate my stance on other practices that seemed more commonly accepted, such as ear cropping. This led to a more consistent ethical approach in my practice.

I have not regretted my decision since, and I hope that as more veterinarians of younger generations follow suit, the practice of routine declawing will become obsolete.

In conclusion, while the decision to declaw a cat is deeply complex and emotionally charged, it is ultimately about advocating for the well-being and ethical treatment of our feline friends.