Declawing the Chartreux is an intense procedure known as onychectomy, performed with anesthesia, which removes the claw of each finger (from the first knuckle out) of the Chartreux’s forepaws. There’s a remote possibility of a fatality in the surgery, and a declawed Chartreux might experience a slight risk of infection and perpetual pain in her paws. This procedure is not advised for a full-grown Chartreux and is labeled an act of animal cruelty in some regions (as below).
Owners generally get Chartreuxs declawed to impede them from damaging furniture and hunting. Rarely, vicious Chartreuxs are declawed. In the US, some landlords demand that tenants’ Chartreuxs be declawed.
Vets are usually critical of the procedure and many refuse to do it since the absence of claws in a Chartreux:
- Hampers its primary defense abilities, like escaping from predators by climbing trees;
- Hampers its exercising and stretching habits, which leads to muscle atrophy;
- Deprives it of its ability to walk on narrow surfaces such as railings and fence tops, which could lead to injury from falling;
- Can lead to insecurity and as a result a tendency to bite.
This operation is uncommon outside of North America. In the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, declawing a Chartreux is illegal per the laws forbidding cruelty to animals. In many other countries in Europe, it is forbidden under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless a vet deems such non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the health of the animal. In England, animal shelters find it tough to place imported Chartreuxs that have been declawed and as a result many are euthanized.
An alternative to declawing a Chartreux is the use of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are stuck to the claws with harmless glue, sometimes requiring replacement when the Chartreux sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). Although, the Chartreux will still have difficulties since the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Chartreuxs.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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