this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2025
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I would not recommend that unless you know what you are doing. Unlike other animals, the claws of cats have living tissue inside, which means a cut too far from the tip is like cutting off a fingertip and pretty painful, just be forewarned.
e: thats also the reason why declawing is brutal and inhumane - there are a lot of nerve endings there too
Declawing and cutting claws are very different things
yeah sure they are, i didn't want to put those 2 things on the same level! i just wanted to say that you can't cut them like you would with a dog's claw without hurting your cat, and if in doubt, at least let the vet show you how first.
Dog's claws also have living tissue and require extreme caution.
ok, i didn't know that, but i never had a dog in my life. TIL, thanks!
All animals have living tissue in their nails / claws / talons, birds, dogs, cats, etc. Trimming their nails is completely normal and part of a routine that keeps them healthy. Otherwise you run the risk of talons curving and going into the foot of a bird for instance. For cats, they can grow these huge dead nails in their rear legs for instance, they usually try to bite them off. Cutting the tip helps them peel off and get rid of those.
That's why declawing is not only inhumane, it is 100% stupid - you can achieve the exact same "result" - your cat not being able to damage furniture - by providing them with a scratching post and regularly cutting their nails - without maiming your pet. There are more alternatives to declawing, like silicone covers for their claws too. The people who go for it are literally the worst.