The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) released an educational video for cat owners on declawing and its alternatives. The video offers guidance for pet owners considering declawing their cats. “Scratching is a normal cat behavior used to mark territory, condition claws and stretch,” said Bruce Nixon, DVM, incoming chair of the AVMA Animal Welfare Committee. “Unwanted clawing can be reduced by providing cats with suitable scratching surfaces, regularly trimming their nails and using synthetic nail caps. While our priority is to avoid declawing through the use of these alternatives, there are situations in which declawing may be necessary. If that's the case, aggressive pain management is absolutely necessary.” AVMA policy says veterinarians must educate cat owners regarding the decision to declaw their cat. The AVMA recommends that declawing be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from destructive clawing or when clawing presents the risk of an injury or disease. The video can be downloaded here. The video demonstrates a laser declaw procedure and provides owners with information about cats’ normal scratching behaviors, other types of declaw procedures and the importance of pain management. <Home>
