9 Pros And Cons Of Declawing Dogs

There have always been mixed reactions trailing the declawing of dogs. The topic of declawing dogs has been a controversial one that has divided even medical professionals!

Different opinions from veterinarians, animal breeders, other groups, and individuals have been continuously engaged in this cracking argument.

A section of this divide opines that the declawing of dogs can be very inhumane, unethical, and unnatural that may cause pain, discomfort, and other unwanted complications in their lifetime.

However, the other section argues that declawing is recommended in order to prevent future problems from the paws of a dog when there are no other options available.

One problem that some dog lovers have with their dogs is that they can destroy carpets and other home gadgets. Not even to mention their tendency to injure people with their claws.

Declawing your dog will require specific considerations by asking, discussing, and reading to understand the pros and cons. This article will help you know and understand the pros and cons of declawing dogs so that you can make an informed decision on whether or not to declaw your dog.

Declawing Dogs Explained

This simply refers to the removal of claws. The removal of the claws will also require the removal of the third bone in the knuckle since it is fused with the claw.

The process of declawing involves a surgical procedure using anesthesia on the dog to minimize pain and consciousness when removing the claw and the third bone.

The surgery, most times, is fast and easy. It may take a few minutes to remove your dog’s claws, which may just be as long as the duration to do a nail trimming, though declawing is more effective and permanent.

This is why it is important to be doubly sure that you are not in a rush in making a decision to declaw your dog. After the procedure is done on your dog, your dog will have no claws when it wants to engage with it.

Pointers That Show Your Dog Needs Declawing

If you notice your dog is withdrawn, whining, and walks in a weird way, this could be a sign that your dog may be in pain and suffering. Ensure you check each of its paws because it could be just one paw responsible for this, and may not necessarily be all of them.

Also, another sign could be displayed in your dog’s body language.

Your dog may be generally subdued as a result of pain and some may display aggression because of how they are feeling. You may notice limping and reluctance to go for outside walks despite having no problem with it previously or it spends so much time licking its paws.

It may be off its food due to discomfort and you may find it shying away rather than being with you. All these may seem strange but they are great pointers to show they may be unwell and may need declawing.

Pros Of Declawing Dogs

Here are the supposed benefits of declawing dogs.

Stops Scratching Damage To Furniture

This is probably the most common reason why many dog lovers want to declaw their dogs. When you consider the likely damages your dog can cause by scratching the furniture, you may also want to consider declawing your dog.

When your dog has the tendency to scratch and you have costly furniture you must keep intact, declawing your dog may be the best way to go. This will ensure you both live happier lives knowing that no destruction may arise from scratching.

No Discomfort Or Pain After Declawing

After the procedure of declawing, your dog fully heals from the wound after a few months. The issues that caused pain, discomfort, and suffering are totally gone. Your dog becomes happier and more active after the surgery and it walks and runs as it used to do.

Prevention And Protection Against Diseases

When your dog has a medical condition such as an infection in its nail beds, declawing may be an option. Many microbes reside in the nail beds of your dog, continuous scratching can predispose your dog to infections and diseases.

Also, the scratching does not just cause harm and infection to them alone, the scratch on you could result in an infection for you too!

No More Worries About Allergic Reactions

Without claws, your dog can not scratch and shed hair and dander around the house when it itches. The lesser your dog sheds hair and dander as a result of declawing, the lesser the harm is done to you from allergies.

Safety For You And Your Dog

You will feel safer when your dog is declawed and not worry about harming you, your children, and other guests with their claws.

Cons Of Declawing Dogs

Here are the not so great aspect of declawing your dog.

Declawing Causes Difficulties In Their Normal Lifestyle

The discomfort of living without their nails, which are vital instruments in maintaining balance when walking, playing, running e.t.c. This lack of balance may result in injuries to them when they fall down.

It Is Unnatural

Your dog expects that you are kind and unselfish most of the time. Declawing your dog should be your last resort and should not be done for reasons other than medical ones, such as infections that are affecting their paws. This may make your dog try to adapt to this new condition and this may take time.

Phantom Pain

It is important to know that when you declaw your dog, some reports have it that some of them usually spend most of their time licking and biting at their paws due to phantom pain originating from amputated nerves in their fingers.

Adverse Effects

After the surgery, there may be a risk of side effects. The effects may be worse in older dogs. Effects such as pain, lameness, and bleeding at the surgical site may be observed.

Conclusion

It can be very annoying when your dog scratches your expensive furniture and home gadgets or it scratches and injures you or your guest, it is advisable to not make a quick decision by declawing them straight away.

You could first try to utilize the option of training them away from the way they do things.

As you have read in this article the different pros and cons of declawing dogs, you should take them into careful consideration and pay attention to your dogs needs before you make that decision to declaw it.