Many cat owners have faced the issue of walking into their house and seeing their furniture scratched apart. Naturally, the solution seems to be to declaw the feline, an accepted procedure many pet owners enforce on their animals. But, when considering whether or not to let the cat keep its claws, it is important to know the pros and cons of the surgery before making any rash decisions for the furry friends.

Firstly, scratching is completely normal and healthy for all cats.

"It isn't done to destroy a favorite chair or to get even," according to The Humane Society of the United States. "Cats scratch to remove the dead husks from their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles."

As for dealing with the feline's claws, it is important to not that declawing is banned in many countries, including England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. In many of these countries state that the procedure should not be done unless it is medically The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing, however the country has not outlawed it.

Before and after of declawing. Photo Credit: Connecticut Cat Connection

Now, to the actual procedure. Declawing a cat is not simply just pulling out a nail. The claw is actually closely adhered to the bone. Therefore, to remove that claw, that last joint of the cat's toes must be removed as well. To do this, an instrument with a sliding blade, similar to a guillotine, cuts a line through the joint. When that is done, right underneath that is the pad, which is cut in half as well. In simpler terms, it is similar to a human having the tip of their finger cut off.

According to Drew Weigner, Atlanta veterinarian and past president of the Academy of Feline Medicine, "With cosmetic declawing, you use a tiny curved blade to go in and dissect out the claw and the tiny piece of bone. The pad is intact; all the soft tissue is there. So the cat is walking comfortably very quickly because its pads are fine. When the pads are cut in half, the cat can’t walk on them without discomfort. That’s what cats put their weight on. And they can’t walk on them comfortably for weeks. Most of the pain comes from the trauma to the soft tissue."

The after effects of declawing are also important to keep in mind. The most used method of declawing, the "guillotine method," has a recovery time of three weeks or longer, according to WebMD.

Photo Credit: PETA Kids

This being said, if a veterinarian deems it necessary for the cat's health to declaw it, such as if it has a tumor or infection, the option should definitely be considered. However, it should be looked at as a last resort. That being said, if a cat is declawed, it should not be allowed to roam outdoors.

"Letting your cats outside after they’ve been declawed would be cruel because they can’t defend themselves properly," Weigner said. "Therefore, owners have to be committed to keep the cat indoors for the rest of its life or to find a family that can do so."

But now that the effects of declawing are known, what can be done to resolve the issue of scratching if the claws are not removed?

There are a few alternatives that should be considered before making the decision to remove a cat's claws.

A house cat wearing plastic caps, an alternative to declawing. Photo Credit: CTV News

As a kitten, scratching posts can be enforced. Kittens can be taught to use the post instead of scratching furniture or people. Trimming claws is also an option, however, it is important not to over-trim or trim too frequently. One reason cats scratch is to sharpen their claws for protection, therefore trimming the claws too frequently may only entice them to scratch and sharpen them more.

Also, one method that has come to light in recent years is the application of soft plastic caps to the cat's claws. These are applied with surgical glue and need to be replaced about every six weeks.

But when facing the decision to declaw a cat, it is best to consult a veterinarian and discuss possible alternatives. Declawing should be avoided at all costs, as no animal should have to endure the pain that comes along with the procedure. With proper care, cat scratches and the destruction of furniture can be avoided, with the health of our furry friends in mind.