Dear Joan: My husband came across a few dog for sale ads in the neighborhood Penny Saver. The ads said the dogs were declawed. Is this a typo or do people really do this?.
I would think that this would harm dogs just as it does cats, so why would they do this to dogs?
DEAR MR. AND MRS. I’m hoping that the declawing in this case only involved removing the dewclaw, but it probably wasn’t a typo. Although that is debatable as well, many people have it removed to prevent further harm. The dewclaw is only loosely attached to the bone in one dog that I am aware of, and in an active dog, it can be torn or ripped off.
However, some people perform an onychectomy, which involves declaws, on their dogs. In my opinion, it is painful and cruel, just like it is in cats. I’m not aware of any other legitimate reasons to do it, despite the fact that some medical conditions or injuries may call for the amputation of a nail.
People must realize that it involves more than simply removing the claw. Take a look at your hands. If you removed your fingernails, they would grow back. Therefore, the entire end joint must be amputated in order to remove the nail.
Although it may not seem like it, dogs need their nails—and not just for making holes to bury their bones. Dogs balance and grip while walking on their toes thanks to their nails. In addition to making it more challenging for a dog to walk and run, removing the joints on each toe can cause arthritis and, in dogs who are already at risk, spinal injuries or deformities. Consider how challenging it would be for you to move around if one or more of your toes were amputated.
Anatomy in cats is a bit different. They walk more naturally on the pads of their feet and retract their front claws. But they still require the claws for other purposes, such as balance, climbing, and grasping. Similar to dog declawing, the toe’s end is chopped off to remove the nail permanently.
Declawing is prohibited in many nations because it is viewed as cruel to animals. Alas, it continues in the United States.
Even during our December cold snap, I used to have to refill my feeder every 10 days or so. Now, just to keep it fresh, I have to discard and refill.
It’s difficult to say specifically, but generally speaking, you might be noticing fewer hummers because they are establishing families and locating alternative food sources.
We have fewer hummers during the winter as some migrate south. Even though the long-term residents are present, there isn’t as much natural food for them, so there will be a crowd at your feeders.
This warm winter has everything confused. The return of insects and blossoming trees all draw hummingbirds. Hummingbirds consume a lot of nectar, but they also eat insects, and the new flowers are very alluring to them.
Hummers, as well as other birds, are mating. The female then constructs a nest, usually lays two eggs, and starts to sit on them. The males defend the nest. All this, however, makes them more scarce at feeders.
Why is it Bad to Declaw Your Dog?
There’s a reason why declawing dogs is practically unheard of. Even though declawing cats is harmful, some vets attempt to remove as little bone as possible. Although the paws of dogs and cats may resemble one another, they differ enough that you cannot remove a “little” bone from your dog’s paws. Instead, to prevent your dog’s nails from growing back, the veterinarian must remove a significant portion of the bone.
Dog claws, in contrast to human fingernails, are directly attached to the bone. Because of this, you can’t remove their nails without removing the bone, which is equivalent to chopping off a finger. Your dog will struggle to stand up straight after having their claws removed because they lost a portion of their toes. Additionally, they won’t be able to scratch, dig, or perform other common activities or defend themselves if another animal attacks.
For all of these reasons, as well as others, it can be difficult to locate a veterinarian who will trim your dog’s nails. Declawing your dog, though, may be necessary in a few uncommon circumstances to save their life.
However, many people do not even consider declawing dogs, despite the fact that dogs’ claws can also cause damage to furniture, flooring, and even human injury. If you’re wondering if dogs can get their claws removed, the answer is yes. Declawing should not be performed on dogs for reasons other than medical necessity, such as infections affecting the paws.
Your dog may show certain symptoms, which frequently manifest in his body language, that indicate a medical condition that affects his feet and nails. Due to the pain, your dog will typically be subdued and withdrawn, though some individuals may exhibit aggression. Due to the infection, his tail and ears may be down, and you might notice him limping or having trouble walking. Despite previously having no issues, your dog may now avoid going outside or on walks, or he may spend a lot of time licking his paws.
It basically entails amputating the animal’s toes by cutting each one off at the first joint. Other than when the animal would suffer if the procedure weren’t done, this is why this practice is viewed as being so immoral and cruel. Dogs should never have their claws removed for an owner’s convenience due to the pain it can cause; only ever for medical needs!
Following this type of procedure, different dogs will recover at different rates, and their re-acclimatization to walking will also differ. You must keep in mind that your dog will have a very different experience as a result of the declawing, and while he should adjust to it eventually, most dogs do not do so right away.
Only certain medical conditions that cause pain and discomfort in the feet in dogs should ever necessitate declawing. Declawing may be the best course of action in some cases to improve your dog’s quality of life because research over the years has revealed a variety of potential causes for this type of infection. Many now believe it to be unethical, on par with practices like docking the tail or clipping the ears, unless it is deemed medically necessary.
When Should You Declaw Your Dog?
There is a small chance that your dog will develop a nail infection that is resistant to standard treatment. A nail condition could be fatal for your dog if your veterinarian is unable to treat the infection. As a last resort, your veterinarian may advise having your dog declawed. This cures the infection by removing your dog’s nails and a portion of bone that prevents their claws from growing back.
FAQ
How much does it cost to declaw a small dog?
Some breeders perform dewclaw removal themselves. For each puppy, veterinarians typically charge for the dewclaw removal and puppy examination. Depending on the clinic, this fee ranges from $30 to $40 per puppy and higher.
Is it cruel to declaw a dog?
The Science of Declawing It basically entails amputating the animal’s toes by cutting each one off at the first joint. Other than when the animal would suffer if the procedure weren’t done, this is why this practice is viewed as being so immoral and cruel.
Is declawing good for dogs?
Dogs need their claws to provide traction on surfaces when walking or running, so one should not declaw their dog unless there is a genuine, serious medical reason. The faster the breed, the more important their claws are.
Why you should not declaw your dog?
Front dewclaws are important for a reason, so they shouldn’t be removed unless absolutely necessary. A dog’s dewclaw can occasionally become infected or suffer from severe injuries (e g. , a cancerous tumor) and removal in those circumstances would unquestionably be best for the dog.