The Danger of Feline Declawing 


Cemoka’s Story

Cemoka was just under 1 year of age and I was so happy to be rescuing her from a 
harsh life as an abused outdoor cat in 1993.  I couldn’t wait to show Cemoka all 
of the love that was possible for a cat in this world, and like a responsible pet 
owner I immediately scheduled an appointment with our veterinarian for a full health 
check-up.  While there, we discussed the importance of having Cemoka spayed and we 
scheduled her appointment for the next week. Much to my shame and regret I also 
scheduled Cemoka to be declawed during her spay; it was 1993 and I thought that 
this was a convenient and simple practice that nearly every indoor cat went through
and that it would make our lives easier not worrying about “the furniture.”

After her surgery my heart broke when I saw that her puffy bandaged paws were spotted 
with blood.  In that moment I knew in my heart that I had made a cruel decision and 
I saw declawing as it really was – a major surgery that amputated each one of her 
fingers at the first knuckle.  All I had wanted was to show this little girl that I 
loved her and that I would offer her the best life I could give her.  Instead, I 
became responsible for putting Cemoka through, quite possibly, the most painful 
experience in her innocent life.  

Knowing that I could not change what I had done, I tried to refocus on making the 
next few weeks as comfortable for Cemoka as possible until she healed from the 
declawing procedure.  I knew that as she settled in to her new home I would have 
to work hard to earn her trust after what she had been through and I vowed that I 
would never, ever do this to another cat I was given the responsibility of caring 
for again.

With the passing of years, Cemoka and I became the best of friends.  I earned her 
trust as a strong bond formed between us.  It seemed the terrible declawing incident 
that started our life together had faded to a distant memory and Cemoka was showing 
no lasting effects from this surgery.  Things were not as they seemed though; 6 years 
after her surgery she began limping on her left front paw. She also began licking and 
biting it incessantly. 

These symptoms came on quite suddenly (cats are very good at hiding their pain until 
it is unbearable) and we brought her to see her vet as soon as possible.  There we 
learned that Cemoka was having a delayed side-effect of the declawing procedure.  
Her toe was actually trying to re-grow the claw tissue that was removed during the 
amputation and an infection was developing in the area.  The only diagnosis was 
another surgery that would scrape out the inflamed tissue.  The veterinarian sadly 
informed me that this could be a temporary relief as they may not have been able 
to remove all of the cuticle producing cells in that area and her body may react 
by attempting to re-grow the claw tissue again. 

Within a few months, Cemoka began exhibiting the same symptoms again and had to 
undergo a second surgery that amputated her finger back to the second knuckle.  
I cannot tell you how terrible it was to watch her suffer through the stress and 
pain of these surgeries because of a decision I had made foolishly so long ago.  
The emotional and financial stress was hard to bear, and was all so unnecessary.

Another 7 years has passed and Cemoka has not had to have another surgery, however 
she has now developed arthritis in her front paws (due to the trauma of declawing) 
and she is on a daily dose of glucosamine and arnica which help her live a normal 
life most days.  It is hard emotionally to know that I am responsible for adding 
this stress and pain to Cemoka’s life.  Today Cemoka knows that she is loved, safe 
and cherished by her family, but I will forever regret that it is not pain free due 
to an uninformed decision. 

Cemoka is sitting here on my lap as I write, and we both thank you for taking the 
time to read this.  We sincerely hope that you will never decide to declaw the 
wonderful felines that you have been given the responsibility to care for.  You are 
their primary ambassador in this life and they need your voice to protect them from 
cruel and unnecessary abuses like declawing.  

Declawing has been illegal in England for several years. Australia, New Zealand, 
Germany, Wales, Finland and Brazil are among the many countries that consider 
declawing illegal or inhumane.  More and more savvy cat aficionados, cat 
organizations, and veterinarians in Canada and the United States are mounting 
protests against declawing, calling it inhumane and unnecessary.

Please read the resources that PAW will provide, to learn more about teaching your 
cat appropriate scratching behavior.