The Permanent Pedicure

–From the Desk of HSSM Veterinarian, Dr. Jenny Morris–

The declawing procedure, or onychectomy, is becoming less common among veterinarians, with a recent survey showing that sixty percent of vets do not perform the surgery due to ethical and humane concerns.  Declawing involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe; this would be comparable to cutting off each finger at the last knuckle if performed on a human.  Many painless, effective, and inexpensive alternatives to surgery exist, such as nail caps, scratching posts (both available at The BowWow Boutique), and frequent nail trims.  Your veterinarian can help you make the best decision for you and your cat’s wellbeing.