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Declawing Cats: Positives, Negatives, and Alternatives

A closer look at the controversial procedure.


Q: Are there good reasons to declaw a cat?





A: They both say about the same thing, which is while it’s not considered medically necessary for the cat, it can be considered appropriate for cats that otherwise would be given up or for whose owners are immunocompromised.



A: It depends on the procedure. Any surgery involves some degree of pain or discomfort. Pain management is an important part of any procedure.

That being the case, the recovery time is much faster for some techniques than others. Cosmetic declawings heal much faster, usually within a week. The guillotine method of declawing a cat, you’re talking two or three weeks or longer.

Q: Can declawing lead to any medical complications or problems?


Q: Will declawing change my cat’s personality?


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