Declawing/debarking - an acceptable solution?
When it seems as though you can’t handle any more barking through the night, or that scratched piece of furniture you just bought was the last straw, then perhaps your thoughts have turned to debarking or declawing your pet. As a means of preventing the irritable and somewhat destructive habits your pets may have, these are complex surgical procedures that have can have a large impact on the life of your pet. Today Animal Friends is discussing the pros and cons of choosing such an option.
Declawing your cat
Cats knead and claw when they are relaxed and happy, in a place of comfort. Unfortunately, this can sometimes correspond to that sofa you enjoy sitting on, or the clothes you just ironed. Kneading is a natural instinct of cats, keeping them calm and settling them before rest, but also a reflex left over from youth when suckling at the teat. Over time, this reflex may pass but many cats continue into older age. In this case, where the claws become quite long, declawing may seem like the only option, especially if the use of a scratching post does not deter your cat scratching and kneading elsewhere.
Declawing is the surgical process of removing the end bone from a cats toe. This procedure is called onychectomy, and is closer to amputation than merely removing the claw. There are medical reasons why this procedure may be carried out, such as chronic inflammatory processes, tumours, persistent and severe infections and gangrene that are limited to the distal phalanx. The difference between this and declawing is that the procedure is usually limited to the affected claw, leaving the healthy claws (if any) intact.
Clearly declawing your cat due to medical reasons is a necessary step to take, however as a cosmetic procedure we should stop and consider the alternatives to declawing as it can have unexpected side effects on the way your cat behaves, especially if it causes unnecessary pain. You can attempt to divert the scratching to an alternative source, such as a post or mat, which can help save your furniture. Alternatively there are vinyl caps that can be attached to claws with non-toxic glue which will protect your furniture and not harm the cat, although these will need to be replaced every four to six weeks as the cat naturally sheds its claw sheath.
If you believe that none of these solutions will suit your needs, then perhaps you should reconsider owning a cat. If you cannot handle the natural scratching of your pet, you may not get along with it and make it unhappy.
Debarking Dogs
A barking dog can mean many things; it shows when a dog is happy, angry, frightened, alerted - even when playing a dog barks to communicate. Excessive barking, such as when a dog is left alone or is overly territorial, can be a burden for a dog owner. In some cases, many dog owners choose to ‘debark’ their dog.
This procedure can be incredibly invasive, and may have complications, causing harm and discomfort to the dog. The surgery is done through the animal mouth, removing some of the tissue from the vocal chords. It can also be performed by making an incision in the throat and through the larynx, but this is a far more invasive technique and can cause more complications. When the surgery is complete, most dogs are left with a ‘husky’ bark, audible up to 20 metres.
As with declawing your cat, debarking a dog can have a negative effect on your dog. Being unable to bark means no communication, and the dog may resort to other means of getting your attention such as heavy scratching, jumping up or biting. A dog whose bark becomes weakened may become introverted and depressed, unable to communicate effectively and so becoming withdrawn; on the other hand, it may resort to bullying and aggression. Like a person who cannot talk, a dog without the ability to bark would need to resort to new means of communication – unlike a person however, a dog cannot learn sign language, and may be confused and scared by the changes.
Debarking may be a fast solution to a growing problem, but it might be more dog friendly if you worked with your pet to find the cause of the barking and prevent it, rather than opting for invasive surgery.
Should we have the choice?
In the UK, both declawing and debarking for cosmetic reasons are specifically prohibited – devocalisation is on the grounds that it is surgical mutilation. In the examples above where cats are overly destructive and dogs are causing problems with the neighbours, however, many owners may find that these kinds of procedures are exactly what they might require. Do you believe that declawing/debarking should be allowed in the UK where necessary? Perhaps it should be allowed cosmetically when a good enough reason is given? Tell us your thoughts by visiting our Facebook page and leave a comment.
