Does declawing prevent cats from killing wildlife?
Studies have shown that declawed cats are still successful at catching and killing wildlife. Declawing is also, in our view, a dubious procedure. Declawing is not like trimming a cat’s nails; it involves actually amputating the bone at the end of each digit. Declawing inflicts physical (and very likely psychological) damage on the cat, does not prevent outdoor cats from catching wildlife, and leaves cats with fewer resources to defend themselves from the predators they themselves encounter. Many European countries have outlawed the practice, deeming it inhumane and unnecessary “mutilation.” North America has not yet followed suit, but there is little evidence to suggest that declawing has any real benefits that cannot be achieved in other ways. The primary reason for declawing is to avoid damage to furniture. Check out tips from HSUS on addressing this behavioural issue.
