Declawing Cats, Humane?

Cia Johnson, DVM in the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Animal Welfare Division, discusses cat declawing and the AVMA's policy on the accompanying video.

Declawing is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is so closely adhered to the bone that to remove the claw, the last bone of your cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes."

The website Cat Scratching Solutions provides insight into why cats scratch and solutions. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post, trim the front claws, or employ aversion methods. One of the most popular aversion methods is Soft Paws®, vinyl caps that glue to your cat's claws protecting against scratching.

What is your opinion about cat declawing? Is your cat declawed? Do you feel it is humane? Tell us in the comment box.