Declawing the Devon Rex is a major surgery known as onychectomy, performed under anesthesia, that removes the claw from each toe (from the first knuckle out) of the Devon Rex’s forepaw. There is always a tiny possibility of death during the surgery, and a declawed Devon Rex may have a slight risk of infection and perpetual pain in her paws. This operation is not advised for an adult Devon Rex and is termed an act of animal cruelty in some regions (as below).
Owners typically get Devon Rexs declawed to hinder them from damaging furniture and hunting. Seldom, vicious Devon Rexs are declawed. In the United States, some landlords require that residents’ Devon Rexs are declawed.
Vets are generally negative about the operation and at times refuse to perform it since the lack of claws in a Devon Rex:
- Compromises its primary self-protection skills, like running away from predators by climbing trees;
- Compromises its stretching and exercise routines, leading to muscle atrophy;
- Hampers its ability to balance on thin surfaces like railings and fence tops, leading to injury from falls;
- Can lead to insecurity and a subsequent biting habit.
The operation is rarely performed outside of North America. In the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, declawing a Devon Rex is prohibited by the statutes against cruelty to animals. In many other European countries, it is forbidden under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless a doctor deems such non-curative procedures beneficial either for veterinary medical reasons or for the health of the Devon Rex. In the United Kingdom, animal shelters are finding it difficult to place imported Devon Rexs that have been declawed and as a result most are euthanized.
One alternative to declawing a Devon Rex is the use of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are adhered to the claws with harmless glue, requiring periodic changing when the Devon Rex sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). However, the Devon Rex will still have difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Devon Rexs.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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