Declawing the Chausie is a major operation called a onychectomy, performed with anesthesia, that removes the claw of each finger (from the first knuckle out) of the Chausie’s forepaw. There is always a remote chance of a fatality in the operation, and a declawed Chausie may experience an increased risk of infection and perpetual displeasure in its paws. This procedure isn’t recommended for an adult Chausie and is termed an act of animal cruelty in some regions (below).
People typically have Chausies declawed to impede them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Seldom, vicious Chausies are declawed. In America, some landlords demand that residents’ Chausies be declawed.
Animal doctors are usually negative about the operation and many refuse to do it because the absence of claws in a Chausie:
- Compromises its main self-protection skills, such as escaping from predators by climbing trees;
- Deprives it of its exercising and stretching routines, which can lead to muscle atrophy;
- Hinders its ability to balance on narrow surfaces like railings and fence tops, leading to injury from falls;
- Can lead to insecurity and as a result a biting habit.
This surgery is rare outside of North America. In Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany and Finland, declawing a Chausie is not allowed by 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 veterinarian considers such non-curative procedures necessary either for veterinary medical reasons or for the health of the Chausie. In England, animal shelters are finding it difficult to place imported Chausies that have been declawed and subsequently many are killed.
One substitute for declawing a Chausie is the use of dull, vinyl claw caps that are applied to the claws with safe glue, requiring periodic replacement when the Chausie sheds its claw sheaths (about every 4 to 6 weeks). Yet, the Chausie will still have problems since the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Chausies.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 🙂
Follow