List of Pros and Cons of Declawing Cats

One of the toughest decisions that cat owners struggle with is whether or not they should have their cats’ claws removed. Declawing has its advantages and it also has several disadvantages, so let’s take a moment to explore them more thoroughly, so that you can make the most informed choice.

List of Pros of Declawing Cats

1. Decreased Furniture Wear and Tear
It is no secret, cats with claws will tear your furniture apart if you allow them to. Furniture damage does not typically take place in one fell swoop, wear and tear sets in over the course of time. By removing your cat’s claws, you are saving untold amounts of time and money that would be spent on either repairing or replacing your damaged furniture.

2. Lessens The Risk of Injury
Cats that still have their claws are very difficult to keep in the domicile, especially those where children and other pets are present. Cats are a temperamental sort and it will only be a matter of time before they take a painful swipe at one of your small children or another beloved family pet. Removing claws gives pet owners unparalleled peace of mind.

3. Cats Do Not Get Tangled
Leaving your cat’s claws untouched may be what they prefer, but in many instances, this only causes additional trouble. A cat has no ability to gauge their own safety and they will often use their claws on objects where they are likely to become stuck. If you are not home to help your pet, they may end up breaking the claw off in a frantic attempt to free themselves, which causes a tremendous amount of pain.

List of Cons of Declawing Cats

1. Back Claws Remain
Sure, you are able to save your furniture and safeguard your loved ones by removing claws, but the back claws will remain and they are just as dangerous, if not more so. Back claws do the same level of damage, so properly training your cat to leave furniture alone is much more effective than simply removing claws.

2. Cats Feel More Threatened
When you remove a cat’s claws, you are usually threatening their overall safety. Without its front claws, a cat may feel as if they are under constant pressure to defend themselves, which makes them behave in a more erratic manner. Removing claws can often cause your cat to act out more frequently, due to fear.

3. Painful To The Cat
Imagine if someone told you that you were going to need to have your fingernails removed. You would probably cringe in pain out of mere instinct, right? Now imagine that you are asking the same from your cat. While a cat cannot express pain in words, they will show you how much it hurts by their actions.