Laser Declawing For Cats: Should I Do It For My Cat?

Last Updated on November 18, 2022 Ashley Camelia

Cat declawing is banned in many countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom, Europe, etc. Even Canadian and American Veterinary Medical Associations discourage this process.

The reason behind the ban is that it can cause so much pain to the cats in the first place. In their point of view, declawing is an unethical operation for cats as it is not beneficial for cats.

We don’t know if there is any long-term side effect on the cats which can be physical or mental. Declawing your cat can be beneficial for you, but there is no scientific evidence; that you get any benefits from it.

laser declawing for cats

What is Declawing?

In other words, declawing (onychectomy) is the process where cutting the nail/bone of a cat’s paw while the cat is unconscious. As per the request of the cat’s owner, this can be done by professionals to stop the cats from scratching.

There few ways to declaw your cat; Trimmers, scalpel blades, or laser treatment. Till now no one can say which way is less complicated for cats, but laser declawing can be the least painful and much more humane.

So, first you need to know what is laser declawing.

Laser Declawing

A medical-grade CO2 laser is used to amputate the toe. This method is considered the most humane method by the vets.

With this method, the toes will get fewer traumas by laser, and nerve endings are sealed by laser, so the cats will feel less pain.

According to the study, in comparison to other procedures, the cats did experience less pain with the laser declaw process in comparison to other processes?

Laser treatment is more costly than other traditional methods, where the old procedures only cost you about $100(depending on your location), and the laser treatment can roughly cost about $300 to $400.

But before taking any decision consult your vet. So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of laser declawing? Is it good for the cats?

 

The Pros and Cons of Laser Declawing

The Pros of Laser Declawing

We are using lasers in surgeries for decades for the surgeries of humans and animals.

  • The greatest benefit of laser declawing a cat is that this process is more humane than other traditional processes.
  • The laser beam cut through the bone of the cat’s claw and remove the claw. This process is less painful because it seals the nerve endings.
  • The laser cauterizes the incision, which helps to minimize the chance of infection. This method reduces swelling during recovery that’s why this method is more precise than a scalpel.

So, are there any demerits of laser declawing? Is it harmful to cats?

The Cons of Laser Declawing

As we know that many vets associations believe that the declawing process is an inhumane thing to do with cats. Well, some cat behaviorists and vets suggest that despite declawing, people can train their cats not to scratch or claw inappropriately.

  • It provides no benefits to the cat but this is done by the owner for their own benefit.
  • Provide them some scratching mats so they can use them to scratch instead of your furniture, carpets, walls, and you.
  • It will be more beneficial if you train your cat to not scratch during play. It will take some time but as we know cats are fast learners.
  • The claws of a cat are their natural weapon against any predator. Taking that from them can make them more vulnerable to any unexpected danger.
  • A declawed cat is unable to use its claws, so it’ll use its teeth to bite rather than scratch with claws. This leads to more risk to people than scratching. A cat’s mouth contains enough bacteria to make a healthy man sick.
  • After the using litter box cats enjoy pawing around the litter boxes. They try to remove their evidence of presence from that area by moving dirt on it. But using their clawless paws can make them uncomfortable against the toe tips. This can leads your cat to use other areas of the house as their litter box.

 

Should You Declaw Your Cats?

The quick answer is No. Why?

Listen to the following video, and let Dr. Lera explain to you:

 

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed laser declaw treatments for cats. This process is as humane and ethical as it seems, but still, it can cause some negative results to the long-term health of cats.

It is necessary to keep in mind that all the declawing processes are painful for cats, their scratching or clawing habits can be corrected by simple training and some exercise.

So, it is important to do your research and consult with your vets and animal professionals before taking any decision. Your pet is your responsibility.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Is laser declawing less painful for cats?

Laser declawing is actually less painful and easy than other methods of declawing which are trimming and scalping methods. The laser treatment seals the nerve-ending area of the cat’s clawed paw which leads to less pain and less bleeding in them.

  1. How long does it take for laser declaws to heal?

The laser declawing may take around 2 to 5 weeks to heal. The old or larger cats might take much more time than younger cats. If it’s taking more than usual time then we suggest consulting with your vet.

  1. Is it inhumane to declaw an indoor cat?

Declawing a cat is a painful process; it includes so many risks related to its natural structure, protection, and health. This is only done for the convenience of humans. There are no benefits to the cats. But if it is done for any medical issue or it is needed then it cannot be considered inhumane.

  1. What is the best age to have a cat declawed?

Under the age of 6 months is the best time to declaw a cat. They heal fast at a young age. At this age, they will experience less pain and can easily forget about their declawed paws. This age is good to lower the risks of complications.

  1. What is the cost of laser declawing for cats?

The laser treatment can roughly cost about $300 to $400, more expensive than the traditional method.