The answer here is definitely no! Declawing is a painful and inhumane procedure that should never be considered for your Ragdoll Cat.
What Does Declawing Involve?
Declawing is an amputation procedure that removes the claws from a cat’s feet. The claws are actually attached to the bone in the foot, so when declawing is done, the bone needs to be removed as well. It is similar to cutting a person’s finger off at the last knuckle—closest to the fingertip. Declawing can be very difficult on a cat and can cause them a lot of pain and suffering.
During the week or more where your cat is recuperating from the surgery, it will still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box despite any pain it may be experiencing.
Many vets consider the procedure unethical now because it’s an unnecessary procedure.
Declawing Will Alter Your Cat’s Behavior
Many people in the rescue community believe that declawed cats often lose their personality and become aggressive after the surgery is done. There are two main reasons cats are taken in by rescues: 1) when they’re improperly using the litter box or 2) when they start biting humans or other animals. Many cats start either of these behaviors after a declaw.
The cat is a clean animal and likes to dig and cover after using the litter box. This action will cause a declawed cat some pain, leading the cat to search for other places to relieve itself.
Declawed cats may become overwhelmed when playtime escalates, resorting to biting in order to communicate their discomfort as they are unable to use their claws.
Why Do People Declaw Cats?
There are many reasons why people declaw their cats, but the most common reason is to stop their cat from scratching their furniture but there are plenty of other ways to stop your cat from clawing furniture without resorting to surgery.
The need for a cat to scratch is behavior is rooted in their natural instincts and can’t be stopped. There are many different types of scratching posts and condos available to help cats use to satisfy their scratching urge.
Alternatively, you can fit your cat with Nail Caps. Cat Nail caps have been around since 1990 having been invented by a veterinarian as a humane alternative to declawing. Cat nail caps are small pieces of soft rubber that fit over the tips of your cats’ nails to keep them trimmed and covered. These caps serve as a barrier to prevent your cat from clawing furniture and other things around the home. Nail caps are safe, painless and non-toxic. The nails grow naturally and cats are still able to extend and retract their claws as normal.
Is Declawing Still Legal?
At least 42 countries have made declawing illegal, including England, France, Wales, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Israel and 8 provinces in Canada.
In the United States, declawing is outlawed in Austin, Denver, the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, Pittsburgh, and Madison as well as eight California cities: West Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area (including Berkeley and Beverly Hills), Culver City Santa Monica, Burbank. In 2019 New York became the first state to outlaw declawing while Maryland became the second state to do so in 2022.
If you are considering declawing your Ragdoll Cat, please reconsider. Declawing is not a humane option and often causes severe pain and can even be life threatening.
If you wish to help get declawing outlawed in more states you can sign the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Petition here
Find out more about Ragdoll Cats