Declawing the Asian Semi-longhair is a major operation known as onychectomy, performed with anesthesia, which removes the claw of each digit (from the first knuckle out) of the Asian Semi-longhair’s paw. There’s a miniscule chance of death during the operation, and a declawed Asian Semi-longhair might have a slight risk of infection and permanent displeasure in her paws. This operation isn’t advised for an adult Asian Semi-longhair and is labeled an act of animal cruelty in some places (as shown below).
Owners generally get Asian Semi-longhairs declawed to impede them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Seldom, vicious Asian Semi-longhairs are declawed. In America, some landlords demand that tenants’ Asian Semi-longhairs are declawed.
Veterinarians are generally critical of the procedure and sometimes decline to perform it because the lack of claws in a Asian Semi-longhair:
- Reduces its main self-protection abilities, like escaping from predators by climbing trees;
- Reduces its stretching and exercise habits, leading to muscle loss;
- Compromises its ability to balance on thin surfaces such as fence tops and railings, leading to injury from falls;
- Can lead to insecurity and a subsequent tendency to bite.
The operation is not common outside of North America. In Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Finland, declawing a Asian Semi-longhair is not allowed 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 considers such non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the health of the animal. In the UK, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported Asian Semi-longhairs that have been declawed and as a result many are euthanized.
One alternative to declawing a Asian Semi-longhair is the use of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are applied to the claws with harmless glue, sometimes requiring replacement when the Asian Semi-longhair loses its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). Although, the Asian Semi-longhair may still have difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Asian Semi-longhairs.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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