Declawing a American Wirehair is an intense surgery known as onychectomy, performed using anesthesia, which removes the claw from each finger (from the first knuckle out) of the American Wirehair’s paws. There’s a miniscule chance of death during the procedure, and a declawed American Wirehair may experience an increased risk of infection and life-long displeasure in his paws. This surgery isn’t advised for an adult American Wirehair and is called an act of animal cruelty in some countries (as shown below).
People usually get American Wirehairs declawed to impede them from damaging furniture and hunting. Seldom, vicious American Wirehairs are declawed. In America, some landlords demand that tenants’ American Wirehairs are declawed.
Animal doctors are usually negative about the procedure and at times decline to perform it because the lack of claws in a American Wirehair:
- Impairs its primary defense abilities, like running away from predators by climbing trees;
- Inhibits its stretching and exercise habits, leading to muscle atrophy;
- Hampers its ability to walk on narrow surfaces like fence tops and railings, leading to injury from falling;
- Can cause insecurity and as a result a biting habit.
This surgery is rare outside of North America. In the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, declawing a American Wirehair is forbidden per the laws against animal cruelty. In many other countries in Europe, it is forbidden under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless a veterinarian deems such non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of the American Wirehair. In England, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported American Wirehairs that have been declawed and as a result most are killed.
One substitute for declawing a American Wirehair is the use of blunt, vinyl claw caps that are adhered to the claws with safe glue, requiring periodic replacement when the American Wirehair loses its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). Yet, the American Wirehair may still experience difficulties since the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about American Wirehairs.Was this post helpful? If so, please take a minute to Tweet and Share below on Facebook. I would also love to know your thoughts so leave me a comment 🙂
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