Never De-Claw

The photo provided is a visual reference of what the anatomy of a cats toe looks like and how the amputation works. This is an image of my own drawing and is subject to copyright. 

Here at ABC Cattery, we have a strict policy that places you in direct violation of our contract if you declaw any kitten that is purchased from ABC Cattery.

Declawing is the amputation of the distal (last) bone of each of the toes. If performed on a human it would be equivalent to removing the tip of each finger at the last knuckle.  

It is an unnecessary surgery that provides no medical benefit to the cat. Many veterinarians will not even perform this needless surgery because it goes against their oath to do no harm.  

Proper stretching of the muscles in a large majority of the cats body is done by scratching. Declawing a cat can result in pain in the paw, nerve damage, infection, tissue death (necrosis), bone spurs, back pain, and lameness (an abnormal gate). The claws can still attempt to grow back causing pain and more medical problems. Once the claw and bone are removed it forces the cat to walk on the tips of their middle phalanx. Cats carry 60% of their body weight on the front legs, they now must rock back and attempt to carry more weight on their hind end. The short and long term effects of declawing your cat will decrease their quality of life.  

You should, as a cat owner, provide your cat with plenty of scratching posts. Scratching usually begins around 8 weeks of age and here at ABC Cattery we are constantly encouraging cats to utilize the scratching posts throughout our home. However, you need to understand that scratching is a natural thing for cats to do and young cats who are just learning need reminders of the boundaries you set as pet parents. There are many things that can be done to encourage good scratching habits and de-courage bad scratching habits. Always be encouraging of good habits.