Declawing a Selkirk Rex is a major surgery called a onychectomy, performed using anesthesia, that removes the claw of each toe (from the first knuckle out) of the Selkirk Rex’s forepaws. There is a slight possibility of death in the operation, and a declawed Selkirk Rex may have an increased risk of infection and perpetual displeasure in her paws. This procedure isn’t appropriate for an adult Selkirk Rex and is termed an act of animal cruelty in some places (as shown below).
People typically have Selkirk Rexs declawed to impede them from damaging furniture and hunting. Seldom, vicious Selkirk Rexs are declawed. In the United States, some landlords demand that tenants’ Selkirk Rexs be declawed.
Animal doctors are typically negative about the surgery and at times decline to do it since the absence of claws in a Selkirk Rex:
- Hampers its main defense skills, including escaping from predators by climbing trees;
- Hinders its stretching and exercise routines, which can lead to muscle atrophy;
- Impairs its ability to balance on narrow surfaces such as railings and fence tops, leading to injury from falls;
- Can cause insecurity and as a result a biting habit.
This procedure is rare outside of North America. In Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland, declawing a Selkirk Rex is prohibited per the statutes 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 doctor considers such non-curative procedures beneficial either for veterinary medical reasons or for the health of the Selkirk Rex. In England, animal shelters find it difficult to place imported Selkirk Rexs that have been declawed and as a result many are killed.
An alternative to declawing a Selkirk Rex is the use of blunt, vinyl nail caps that are attached to the claws with nontoxic glue, requiring periodic replacement when the Selkirk Rex loses its claw sheaths (about every 4 to 6 weeks). However, the Selkirk Rex may still have difficulties because the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Selkirk 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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