This is a loaded question, since many readers will agree that it is never okay to declaw a cat. In fact, I know several veterinarians who refuse to do the procedure for ethical reasons. I try my hardest to instruct cat owners on how to keep nails trim by clipping them regularly so as to avoid having owners pursue the declawing surgery. Keeping your cat's claws short is best achieved by starting to trim your cat's nails when he is very young, and by using the appropriate tool, a "white's" nail trimmer.
It cannot be denied that the declawing procedure itself is a form of mutilation. It involves the amputation of the third phalanx, or bone, of each digit that contains the claw-producing nail bed. This procedure is irreversible and very painful. It should never be performed on any cat that may venture outdoors, as claws are their means of defense against any wildlife, and is also crucial in climbing a tree to escape trouble. Once claws are gone, there is no such thing as "press-on" nails for cats. Most veterinarians will do the procedure only after trying their hardest to discourage it.
The surgery involves a hospital stay of at least two nights. A bandage is left on the paws for about 24 hours, after which the cat is kept in the hospital to monitor bleeding and impose rest by keeping them caged for another 24 hours. Usually a major painkiller is given to minimize discomfort. The pet is sent home with instructions to the owner to limit the cat's movements for several days, and to replace regular litter with a special kind that won't get caught in the incision, such as pelletized newsprint or just plain shredded newspaper.
Most cats will have a hard time jumping at first, so it's imperative to be at home the first day to "spot" them. They may reach a cabinet top to find they can't get back down because their paws are throbbing. There can also be a fair amount of bleeding if a scab that formed following surgery comes loose. This can usually be controlled with a soak in hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the incision, followed by gentle pressure with a clean, dry towel. If the bleeding is excessive, call your veterinarian.
If I haven't succeeded in discouraging you yet, the answer to your question is 12 weeks. Kittens at that age can tolerate the anesthesia, and there is less weight to support on the healing paws than there would be with an adult cat. Most veterinarians recommend waiting until the time you have your pet altered and doing the declawing at the same time. This is usually done at six months of age.
The procedure is done on the front two paws. Owners who feel all four feet need declawing are advised to do two at a time, because the pet would literally not have a foot to stand on if all were done at once. It's best to wait a few months after having the front ones done and, if absolutely necessary, going back for the rear claws.
The procedure is much harder--and the emotional impact more severe--for adult cats. Cats declawed due to aggressive scratching may wind up biting their owners instead. It's important to try to address the aggression with the help of an animal trainer or behaviorist first, rather then going for declawing right away. If your furniture is being destroyed, try the various cat repellents on the market; apply double-sided tape along the sides of the furniture (the paws get stuck and annoy the cat); or, my personal favorite, a line of balloons that will scare away the cat when his nail causes a pop.
Another choice is acrylic covers that slip over the claws, leaving dull, soft tips. These definitely reduce any damage, but require that the nails be trimmed and that glue be applied to them each month. Usually if an owner can do all this, he can also keep the cat's nails short.
Most cat owners struggle with this decision, so involve your veterinarian in helping you try to avoid it by learning how to clip nails and limit destructive behavior.
Dr. Peter Kross, DVM, has had his own veterinary practice, the Rivergate Veterinary Clinic in New York City, since 1989. He lives in Manhattan with his three white boxers, Buchanan, Wilhelmina and Laila.
At what age is it okay to declaw a cat?
This is a loaded question, since many readers will agree that it is never okay to declaw a cat. In fact, I know several veterinarians who refuse to do the procedure for ethical reasons. I try my hardest to instruct cat owners on how to keep nails trim by clipping them regularly so as to avoid having owners pursue the declawing surgery. Keeping your cat's claws short is best achieved by starting to trim your cat's nails when he is very young, and by using the appropriate tool, a "white's" nail trimmer.
