Although birman cat for sale declawing has been banned in the U.K., Brazil, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries, some feline parents in the United States still request this controversial surgical procedure.
But cat declawing procedures carry a host of risks and the potential to cause long-term pain and discomfort for the cat. Therefore, some states and U.S. cities have also banned it.
What is Cat Declawing?
The term declawing is misleading, because declawing a cat involves more than simply removing a cat’s nails. Cat declawing is a surgical amputation of the final digit or “knuckle” in the feet of the cat.1 The entire nail bed is removed, including the last digit of a cat’s toes. In most cases, only the front feet of a cat are declawed.
Why Do Cat Owners Consider Declawing?
Declawing is often sought out as a solution for stopping cats from scratching furniture, people (those with immunodeficiencies or bleeding disorders are especially affected), or other animals.
Age for Cat Declawing
When declawing is done at the kitten age rather than as an adult, cats may adjust better.2 Still, most organizations, such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) discourage cat declawing.3 To date, the only states in the U.S. to ban cat declawing are New York and Maryland, while at least 13 cities have banned it.4
Cost to Declaw a Cat
The cost to declaw a cat varies depending on the type of declawing procedure as well as the location of your veterinary clinic, but the average price ranges between $600 and $1,800.5 This amount does not include treating any complications that arise from declawing your cat, which can quickly add up depending on the complication.
Types of cat declawing procedures
Although there are different types of cat declawing (also known as onychectomy), all involve removing the “knuckle” or last digit on a cat’s feet.6 Here’s a look at the three main types of declawing, and an alternative surgery some veterinarians use.