Declawing the Russian Blue is an intense operation called a onychectomy, performed using anesthesia, that removes the claw from each digit (from the first knuckle out) of the Russian Blue’s paws. There is a miniscule possibility of a fatality during the procedure, and a declawed Russian Blue may have an increased risk of infection and permanent pain in his paws. This procedure is not suitable for a full-grown Russian Blue and is considered an act of animal cruelty in some regions (below).
People usually get Russian Blues declawed to prevent them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Seldom, vicious Russian Blues are declawed. In America, some landlords require that tenants’ Russian Blues be declawed.
Doctors are generally negative about the surgery and at times decline to perform it because the absence of claws in a Russian Blue:
- Hinders its main self-protection skills, like running away from predators by climbing trees;
- Hinders its exercising and stretching routines, which leads to muscle loss;
- Inhibits its ability to walk on narrow surfaces like railings and fence tops, which can lead to injury from falling;
- Can lead to insecurity and as a result a tendency to bite.
This operation is not common outside of North America. In Germany, Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, declawing a Russian Blue is prohibited per the statutes forbidding animal cruelty. In many other countries in Europe, it is prohibited 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 benefit of the animal. In Britain, animal shelters find it tough to place imported Russian Blues that have been declawed and as a result most are killed.
One substitute for declawing a Russian Blue is the use of wide, vinyl claw caps that are adhered to the claws with nontoxic glue, sometimes requiring replacement when the Russian Blue sheds its claw sheaths (about every 4 to 6 weeks). Although, the Russian Blue may still have difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Russian Blues.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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