Cat De-Clawing
More on Cat Behavior
The decision to de-claw your cat is not one that should be made lightly. De-clawing is a major surgery called onychectomy where the entire last part of the ten front toes are amputated. To get an idea of what this means, imagine cutting off your fingers at the last joint. Your cat.s paws will be sore for several days and may cause her to stop using her litter box, if only temporarily.
Some cats behave exactly the same after being de-clawed as they did before surgery. However, many other cats undergo a drastic change. Some stop using their litter box, some becomes biters, and others may become aggressive or timid. De-clawing may also affect your cat's ability to walk and balance, to scratch herself, to climb, exercise, and mark territory. If your cat is de-clawed it is important to keep her inside since she can't defend herself again other animals.
If you are thinking of de-clawing your cat, first work with your cat to see if you can change the problem behavior. Consult your veterinarian to discuss problems and see if there are alternatives to de-clawing your cat.