Declawing is also known as an onychectomy which is the amputation of the first knuckle of each toe of the cat. This is different than the procedure called a flexor tendonectomy which is the severing of the tendon that allows a cat to control or extend its claws.
There are serious Psychological & Behavioral Complications that can result by declawing. It is documented that some cats are so shocked by declawing that their personalities change. Once lively and friendly a cat may become withdrawn. Claws are the primary means of defense for most cats, taking this away can make a cat nervous, fearful, and even aggressive! They may feel they have to resort to biting with their teeth as it’s the only thing left!
But worst of all major litter box issue can result from declawing. Cats do mark territory by using the claws. If they no longer have this they can pee, spray or poop around the house to mark territory due to lack of claws. They may also do this because their feet are sensitive to the cat litter after a declaw.
Understanding Declawing ( AKA Onychectomy) Have you ever seen the anatomy of the feline claw? Above is a visual of the cat’s claw so you can see the severity of declawing. A common misconception is that a cat’s claw is the same as a human fingernail. This is not true. A cat’s claw is part of the last bone called the distal phalanx of a cat’s toe. A cat’s claw arises from the unguicular crest and unguicular process in the distal phalanx of the paw. This region must be removed completely, or re growth of a vestigial claw results.
Contrary to most people’s understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws but the whole phalanx up to the joint. Removing the whole phalanx including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the tendons must all be amputated. Declawing is not a single surgery but 10 separate amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe.
“The claw is extended by pushing up under the footpad or by grasping it with Allis tissue forceps. A scalpel blade is used to sharply dissect between the second and third phalanx over the top of the ungual crest . The distal interphalangeal joint is (disjointed), and the deep digital flexor tendon is incised (severed). The digital footpad is not incised. If a nail trimmer is used, the ring of the instrument is placed in the groove between the second phalanx and the ungual crest. The blade is positioned just in front of the footpad. The blade is pushed through the soft tissues over the flexor process. With the ring of the nail trimmer in position behind the ungual crest, the blade is released just slightly so that traction applied to the claw causes the flexor process to slip out and above the blade. At this point, the flexor tendon can be incised and disarticulation of the joint (disjointing) completed. Both techniques effectively remove the entire third phalanx.”
Excerpted from: Slatter D; Textbook of Small Animal Surgery 2nd ed vol I, p.352 W.B. Saunders Company Philadelphia.