Many internet users are just discovering why declawing cats is a practice to avoid.
Cat owners can relate to the struggle of dealing with scratched furniture. That brand-new couch you just bought? The cat is likely to use it as a scratching post.
This issue extends to all types of furniture, which explains why some cat owners opt to declaw their pets.
However, declawing might not be the best choice for your cat, even if it saves your furniture.
The Humane Society of the United States explains: “Declawing is the amputation of the last bone of each toe on a cat’s paw.” This definition alone should deter you from the practice.
The society compares declawing to cutting off a human finger at the last knuckle, indicating it’s a painful ordeal for cats.
They further elaborate: “The standard method of declawing is amputating with a scalpel or guillotine clipper. The wounds are closed with stitches or surgical glue, and the feet are bandaged.”
The topic of declawing has gained traction on Twitter, thanks to the viral account, ‘non aesthetic things’.
“This is why you shouldn’t declaw your cat,” the account wrote, sharing a video that details the consequences of declawing for cats.
Declawing involves amputating and removing the last bone of a cat’s toes, affecting tendons and ligaments and completely removing the claw.
Although cats eventually heal, they can experience ‘intense pain’ as they adapt to walking on what are essentially amputated toes.
The video highlights how declawed cats struggle with balance, jumping, and walking, which can compromise their well-being.
Declawing can also lead to long-term issues like mobility problems, chronic pain, and arthritis.
It’s heartbreaking.
The Twitter video’s comments section is filled with people reacting to the harsh realities of declawing.
“So declawing your cat is just removing parts of their feet wth,” one person commented.
Another added: “Basically cut off our very last finger bone that we basically use to type,” while a third remarked: “It is crazy to imagine that a notable amount of people in the US declaw their cats. Honestly, I’ve never heard of this practice outside the US.”
Another user stated: “Declawing should be banned everywhere, it’s just inhumane!”