Can you imagine living without your nails, or worse, without the first phalanx of your fingers? Perhaps you will think that if it is the result of an accident, you should get used to it. And as much as you think only aesthetically, the truth is that the appearance of your hands and the way you do all your day-to-day actions would change radically. The truth is that nobody would definitely remove their nails, but it seems like a good option to perform this procedure on their cats …Why is it bad to amputate a cat’s nails?
Why is it bad to amputate a cat’s nails?
The procedure of removing the claws of cats is very common and, in addition, it is an open debate both in the animal welfare societies and in the veterinary clinics that perform the procedure. According to oocities.org, owners can make this decision because the cat is very uneasy, constantly damages the furniture, the owner cannot give him all the attention he needs, or because he can sometimes hurt other family members. -they are people or other animals-. For the site, some cat owners are presented with the choice between removing claws or having to give away their beloved pets.
They explain that although the operation can be done at any age, it is best to do it when the cat is 2 years old. The more adults, the longer it will take to heal. Some veterinarians will use general anesthesia while others apply local anesthesia. According to those who defend this technique, there is no structural damage to the cat’s claw anatomy. Although the nail and the distal phalanx are removed (which is like our finger phalanx), this is very small in cats, and they assure that it is a vestige bone that has no other use than to be the basis for the growth of the nail and that the cat does not support its weight in that part of its body.
On the petmd.com site, the interviewed veterinarian acknowledges having done this procedure. Assuming the reasons explained above – continued harm, danger to family members – removing claws is for many a more “loving” option than having to abandon the pet. According to the veterinarian, the owner should be asked a series of questions before performing the procedure: knowing if he is willing to go through the possible side effects of the operation – such as infections, damage to the legs due to bandages and tourniquets – to ensure that the cat can be inside the house after the operation if they are able to carry out the post-operative treatment (which may include medication), and above all, silicone nails. The doctor assures that carried out in the correct way, the operation does not have to be more painful or disfiguring than it could be to cut the ears of the dogs.
Now, many adjudge another side of the story: the stripping is not as simple as it is presented nor does it make the life of the cat easier. According to The Dodo, the debate is getting tougher. Is it worth saving the sofa at the cost of your cat’s claws? Claws are part of what makes your cat a cat. The publication notes that a Toronto vet clinic is currently refusing to continue this operation as a kitten amputation. And in fact, there are already more than 25 countries that consider this procedure illegal.
The Humane Society of the United States has also given its opinion, noting that this procedure offers no benefit to a healthy cat. Claws, they explain, are used for much more than just messing up the couch or scratching someone. Cats need their claws to walk, to stretch, and also to scratch, which is basically part of their healthy behavior.
In fact, humanesociety.org points out that scratching is a normal part of behavior, they don’t do it because they “want” to damage a piece of furniture in the house or take revenge on someone. They do this to remove dirt from their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles. At eight weeks of age this behavior -normal- begins in the kitten. Removing the claws to “prevent” this behavior can send the cat to a set of worse activities than simply scratching a piece of furniture.
In The Dodo they explain that the must also focus on that many vets do it as a quick fix to a cat behavior problem. And in cases where the choice is made between the procedure or taking the cat to a shelter, the answer is that the second option can end in the cat’s death if they put him to sleep. But this does not necessarily have to be the case. There are always shelters where many cats are adopted and that according to the doctor interviewed in The Dodo, there are many cats without claws in shelters and adoption centers. This is because the cats that performed the scavenging often generate other behaviors – such as not using their litter box – because it causes pain.
And the truth is that there are healthier ways to deal with a spider cat. Posts for the game, keep him busy, regularly do his nail trimming, and even the Soft Paws. And it may sound a little harsh, but if you don’t want a scratching pet, you should consider whether a kitten is a good pet for you. Think of other options and perhaps better to think than the kitten, you see it from afar.
