Declawing a Don Sphynx is a major procedure called a onychectomy, performed with anesthesia, which removes the claw of each finger (from the first knuckle out) of the Don Sphynx’s forepaws. There is always a miniscule chance of death in the surgery, and a declawed Don Sphynx may experience a slight risk of infection and life-long displeasure in his paws. This surgery isn’t advised for a full-grown Don Sphynx and is considered an act of animal cruelty in some places (shown below).
Owners typically get Don Sphynxs declawed to hinder them from hunting and from damaging furniture. Seldom, vicious Don Sphynxs are declawed. In the United States, some landlords require that tenants’ Don Sphynxs be declawed.
Veterinarians are typically negative about the surgery and many decline to do it because the lack of claws in a Don Sphynx:
- Inhibits its main self defense abilities, like escaping from predators by climbing trees;
- Compromises its exercising and stretching habits, leading to muscle atrophy;
- Impairs its ability to balance on narrow surfaces such as fence tops and railings, leading to injury from falls;
- Can cause insecurity and as a result a biting habit.
This procedure is uncommon outside of North America. In the Netherlands, Finland, Germany and Switzerland, declawing a Don Sphynx is not allowed by the laws against animal cruelty. In many other countries in Europe, it is illegal under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, unless a veterinarian considers such non-curative procedures beneficial either for veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of the animal. In the United Kingdom, animal shelters are finding it tough to place imported Don Sphynxs that have been declawed and as a result most are killed.
An substitute for declawing a Don Sphynx is the application of wide, vinyl claw caps that are adhered to the claws with harmless glue, requiring periodic changing when the Don Sphynx sheds its claw sheaths (about every four to six weeks). However, the Don Sphynx will still experience difficulties since the capped nails are not as effective as claws.
Don’t forget to check out these other articles about Don Sphynxs.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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