Thread by @bunsenbernerbmd

Cats will randomly scratch up stuff in your house.
Dadguy’s computer bag is getting shredded.
Is declawing cats a solution?
No. It’s a terrible idea.
Find out more on The Super Pawesome Science Thread!
#TSPST

Ginger has a scratching post, but ignores it for two things - dadguy’s computer bag and the back of our new couch.
School teacher Beaker keeps Ginger from messing with the couch too much, but that computer bag is getting mangled.

Luckily, Ginger is an absolute sweetheart. She has never scratched a human out of anger, just by accident in play. Beaker and Bunsen have gotten the claw a few times, with Beaker getting a couple bloody noses.
In Ginger’s defence, Beaker deserved it.

We know not all cats are as gentle as Ginger. We also know that some cats are way more destructive. It makes sense that some families would be exhausted and want their cats’ claws removed.
There are huge problems with it though, and science has the receipts.

First off, declawing a cat is illegal in many countries:
England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Alberta. Even if your country allows it, robust studies found it negatively affects the cat. It can cause lameness, chewing, and infection.

On top of this, in The Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, a long term study took a look at the welfare of declawed cats months and years after the procedure.
Did the declawed cats have issues?
Yep.

137 declawed cats were compared against 137 clawed cats in a fairly large study.
Some of the issues where shocking.

Accidents, aggression, and overgrooming occurred way more in the declawed cats than the non-declawed cats (7 to 3 times more depending on the behaviour).
A declawed cat was also almost 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with back pain too. 😭

The main reason is that without their claws, cats have to bear weight on the soft parts of their feet all the time, which their bodies are totally not built for. It makes it hard to stand in kitty litter, permanently changes their gait causing pain while walking.

So, while it seems like a great idea to remove the claws of a cat, the evidence says it’s terrible for the life of your little murder floof.
Play, toys, scratch posts, and a sacrificial computer bag are better options. ❤️

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