Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Take care of your cat's comfort
• Part 2 of 3: Replacing the cat litter box
• Part 3 of 3: Potential Complications
• Tips
• Warnings

Claw removal, or onychectomy, involves the surgical removal of all bone tissue that is connected to the claws, as well as parts of the tendons and ligaments. After that, the cat will not be able to scratch the furniture (or you!), Which is good. However, claw removal is a very painful procedure for the animal, after which it is necessary to take good care of the cat so that it recovers and returns to normal life.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Take care of your cat's comfort

1. 1 Give your pet pain relievers. Most likely, the cat will be given pain relievers before and after the surgery. However, she may still be in pain when you take her home. Your veterinarian may recommend taking pain relievers for at least a few days to help relieve the animal. This can be a patch to be applied to the skin, or an oral preparation (tablet or liquid solution).
   • Cats are very good at hiding the pain they experience, so it is far from always possible to determine that the animal is in pain. Continue to give pain reliever as recommended by your veterinarian.
   • It is possible that during the intake of drugs it will be necessary to limit the mobility of the animal. In this case, wrap the cat in a towel so that it sits calmly and does not bite you.
   • You may find it difficult to give pills to your cat. Use a pill dispenser available at the pet store so you don't have to stick your fingers in your cat's mouth and it won't bite you.
   • You can also try placing the pill in something tasty and the animal will swallow the medicine with the food before it senses its presence.
   • To give your cat liquid medication, restrict its movement in the same way as you would with pills. Then, place the tip of a syringe without a needle between her front teeth and inject the liquid deep into her mouth. Inject the medicine gradually in small doses, close the cat's mouth and blow on the cat's nose to swallow the liquid.
   • If you have a hard time administering medication to your cat, consult your veterinarian. He may prescribe an anesthetic patch instead of an oral drug.
2. 2 For 7-10 days, restrict your cat's movement to a small space. If you have other pets, keep your cat in a small, enclosed space, such as a bathroom, so that other pets do not lick or clean sore paws. Make sure the area is comfortable for your cat: place bowls of food and water, a litter box, a comfortable sleeping area, and toys.
   • If it is not possible to isolate your cat in a confined space, consider locking it in a suitable box. However, the box may be unusual for the cat, and she will not want to go inside.
   • Wherever you place your cat after surgery, place bowls of water and food, as well as a litter box.
3. 3 Keep your cat out of the house. If the animal is accustomed to go outside, after removing the claws, it should not be released from the house. Without claws, a cat will not be able to defend itself. Although it will take her some time to get used to the constant indoor life, it will keep her safe.
4. 4 Don't let the cat jump. Removing the claws is painful, and after it it is logical to assume that the cat will not want to jump so as not to cause even more severe pain. However, the animal may try to jump. Keep an eye on your cat when it is lying on elevated places (for example, on the couch) to stop it in time if it wants to jump off.
   • If you are keeping your cat in a small, confined space, visit her regularly and try to keep her as close to floor level as possible.
   • In addition to pain, jumping can lead to bleeding from fresh wounds. If you notice bleeding, lightly press a paper towel or tissue onto the wound and hold it there for 10-15 minutes.
5. 5 Keep your cat's paws clean. Keep your cat's feet clean after surgery to protect them from infection. The infection can enter the wounds along with foreign objects, such as small pieces of animal excrement. After the claws are removed, cats are especially prone to infections.
   • Unless your veterinarian recommends using antibiotic ointment at home, you should not apply anything to wounds after surgery.
   • Simply wiping gently with a warm soft cloth is enough to keep them clean.

Part 2 of 3: Replacing the cat litter box

1. 1 Choose a convenient tray. After claw removal surgery, a cat may experience severe pain and discomfort when using its regular litter box. Many cats go to the toilet outside of their litter box after this surgery, as it becomes too uncomfortable for them. Consider using clumping litter for the litter box - its softness and fine grain are pleasing to the cat's paws.
   • Keep the tray free of dust. Dust can enter wounds, irritating and increasing the risk of infection.
   • It is not necessary to completely switch to a new tray. Use a new litter box until the cat recovers from surgery, which usually takes 10-14 days.
   • Changing the litter box suddenly, even with a more comfortable litter box, can lead to the cat avoiding the new litter box. Start gradually accustoming your pet to the new litter box before surgery.
2. 2 Purchase an extra litter box. Place it near where the cat usually sleeps. If your cat is in pain or has difficulty walking, she will appreciate it. Select a tray larger than the current one.
   • After claw removal surgery, cats find it difficult to balance while walking at first, and a larger litter box will make it easier for your pet to deal with the problem.
3. 3 Empty the litter tray regularly. It is possible that before the operation, it was enough to empty the tray once a day. However, after claw removal surgery, it is recommended to clean the litter box several times a day at first. After the surgery, your pet will be more sensitive to wet spots on their paws.
   • After cleaning the tray, pour new litter into the tray so that it covers the bottom two-thirds or up to half the height of the tray. The litter box will be more comfortable for the cat if it does not have to step over a high side.

Part 3 of 3: Potential Complications

1. 1 Check your pet's paws regularly. Examine your cat's paws several times a day. Check for bleeding or swelling. Minor bleeding after surgery is normal. However, in the case of severe and persistent bleeding (for example, if the wounds open and the bleeding does not stop when pressure is applied to them) contact your veterinarian.
   • Discharge from wounds is most likely indicative of an infection. The discharge may be yellowish. If you find any discharge, take the animal to your veterinarian who can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
   • If an infection has entered the wound, an abscess may occur, that is, a purulent cavity.When an abscess is found not try to open it as this can cause severe pain and make the infection worse. Take the cat to the veterinarian to treat the abscess.
   • Sometimes, cat claws can start growing again if they have not been properly removed. Contact your veterinarian if the nails seem to be starting to grow again.
   • When the cat starts to walk again, calluses may build up behind the pads of the fingers due to the lack of bones that used to be connected to the claws. Now the “pressure point” (the place of maximum pressure when walking) will move back, behind the pads of the fingers, which will lead to the formation of painful calluses here.
2. 2 Observe the cat's behavior. It happens that after the operation to remove the claws, the behavior of the cat changes. For example, you may notice that your pet has become more withdrawn or aggressive. The cat may try to bite you more often because it can no longer defend itself with its claws.
   • The cat may play less often than before, as it can no longer grab toys with its claws.
   • The cat may urinate more often because it is no longer able to mark its territory with its claws. This behavior is more common in non-castrated males than in females.
   • While these behavioral changes are common, they can cause you anxiety and negatively affect your relationship with your pet. If you are concerned about your cat's behavior after surgery, consult your veterinarian.
3. 3 Encourage your cat to walk more. If an animal is in severe pain, it is unlikely to walk willingly. However, for a speedy recovery, you should start walking as soon as possible after surgery. It also allows you to observe your pet's gait. It is necessary for the cat to start walking about a day after surgery, otherwise contact your veterinarian.
   • See if the animal is limping. After an unsuccessful onychectomy, bony plates may remain in the paws, which can cause permanent lameness.
   • Calluses behind the paw pads can also change the gait of the animal, as it becomes painful for him to transfer body weight to the front legs.
   • If the cat has experienced severe pain in the veterinary clinic, she may develop nervous hypersensitivity, in which the animal will be very painful to stand on its paws. In this case, the cat can raise its front legs every time it sits down. Sometimes this hypersensitivity cannot be eliminated.
   • Show your cat to the veterinarian if it cannot walk at all or is unable to walk normally after surgery. In such cases, the lack of proper treatment can lead to more serious orthopedic problems, such as arthritis, over time.

Tips

• After removing the claws, the cat may experience discomfort and severe pain. Try to do your best to make life easier for her immediately after surgery.
• Cats younger than one year old tolerate onychectomy more easily than their older counterparts.
• Your veterinarian may recommend that you wear a protective collar to prevent your cat from licking the wounds on its paws.
• Consider purchasing a scratch rack for your cat. Although your pet will not be able to scratch the rack, it will play near it, which is good for your physical health. Choose a rack made from carpet material over sesal.

Warnings

• Get your cat to the vet as soon as possible if you suspect that it is unable to recover from surgery. Delaying treatment can lead to more serious health problems.
• After claw removal, the cat may refuse to use the litter box. Talk to your veterinarian or pet behavioral professional about ways to encourage your cat to use the litter box again.
• After the claws are removed, the cat may bite more often.
• Complications after an unsuccessful onychectomy can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility of the animal.