Declawing a Snowshoe is a major procedure known as onychectomy, performed using anesthesia, which removes the claw from each toe (from the first knuckle out) of the Snowshoe’s forepaws. There’s a remote chance of death during the surgery, and a declawed Snowshoe may experience an increased risk of infection and long-term discomfort in his paws. This surgery isn’t advised for a mature Snowshoe and is labeled an act of animal cruelty in some countries (see below).
Owners usually have Snowshoes declawed to impede them from damaging furniture and hunting. Seldom, vicious Snowshoes are declawed. In America, some landlords require that residents’ Snowshoes are declawed.
Animal doctors are generally negative about the surgery and sometimes refuse to perform it since the absence of claws in a Snowshoe:
- Inhibits its primary defense skills, including running away from predators by climbing trees;
- Impairs its exercising and stretching habits, leading to muscle loss;
- Reduces its ability to walk on narrow surfaces like railings and fence tops, which can lead to injury from falling;
- Can lead to insecurity and a subsequent biting habit.
This operation is not common outside of North America. In Germany, Finland, Switzerland and the Netherlands, declawing a Snowshoe is not allowed by the laws forbidding cruelty to animals. In many other countries in Europe, it is prohibited under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless a veterinarian deems such non-curative procedures beneficial either for veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of the Snowshoe. In England, animal shelters are finding it hard to place imported Snowshoes that have been declawed and as a result many are euthanized.
An alternative to declawing a Snowshoe is the use of dull, vinyl claw caps that are applied to the claws with nontoxic glue, sometimes requiring changing when the Snowshoe sheds its claw sheaths (about every 4 to 6 weeks). Yet, the Snowshoe may still have problems since the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Snowshoes.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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