How much does it cost to declaw a cat? Is the risk worth it? Is it necessary? Are there compelling reasons to trim your cat’s claws? There are many unanswered mysteries concerning this contentious and emotive subject. And we’ll try to address all of your concerns in this article so you can move forward with confidence.
As pet owners, we are frequently faced with difficult decisions. Is it OK to feed this food to our cat? Is it better to feed him raw or cooked food? And once again, we will have to make the hard choice of whether or not to declaw our cat.
If you’ve finally decided to consider this contentious surgery, it’s time to address the elephant in the room and finally discover answers to the question, “How much does it cost to declaw a cat?”
What is Cat Declawing?
To put it simply, declawing (also known as onychectomy) is a serious surgical procedure used to remove a cat’s claws. In theory, it’s as simple as that, but in practice, it’s not. When a pet’s claws are cut off, the owner goes through an emotional roller coaster, a tough situation, and a predicament. It also puts him in a heated dispute with his fellow cat owners, who are opposed to the surgery.
And, if we look at it objectively, there are many grounds to question why someone would choose this risky and contentious operation. Declawing is not the same as regular nail trimming. It’s even more dissimilar when a human removes her natural nails to make room for synthetic ones.
How Much Does It Cost to Declaw a Cat?
The typical cost to declaw a cat is determined by a variety of factors. While it varies based on your cat’s specific situation, the normal cost ranges from $200 to $800, and that’s just for the cost. You should also consider the average prices of blood tests, medications, examination fees, anesthesia, and overnight stay charges, among other things.
If we take into account all of the additional charges as well as any hidden costs, the total cost of declawing your cat ranges from $600 to $1800 with a one-night stay at the clinic. The cost of the surgery depends on where you live, how much your local vet charges, and the vet clinic itself.
The total cost to declaw a cat is also affected by your cat’s age, weight, and overall condition. Declawing a younger, healthier cat is less expensive than declawing an older cat who has an underlying medical condition and/or is overweight.
What is the Breakdown Cost to Declaw a Cat?
The figures above are only estimates of how much you’ll have to pay to get your cat declawed. To give you a better idea of the normal cost of this treatment, here is a breakdown of the cost to declaw a cat:
#1. Pre Anesthetic Health Assessments
To gain a thorough picture of your cat’s health, your vet will need to run certain blood tests, much like with any major medical treatment.
Younger cats would very certainly require a CBC and a basic blood chemistry panel, which may cost between $80 and $120. An older cat would need a more thorough full-blood panel test, which could cost between $175 and $250.
You must also pay for the exam or a consultation with your local vet, which costs between $50 and $65 depending on where you live and the facility.
#2. Charge for Anesthesia
The type of declawing treatment, your cat’s weight, the length of the procedure, and the type of anesthetic used are all things that can change the cost of anesthesia.
Many clinics and hospitals include the cost of anesthetic in their overall charge, but you can ask your veterinarian about it during the initial consultation to have a better idea. The average cost of injectable anesthetic is between $25 and $75.
Cost of the Chosen Declawing Procedure
Declawing techniques are classified into three sorts. You can select between the two common traditional procedures, which are the Rescoe clipper method and the disarticulation using a scalpel, or you can go with the laser surgery method, with the advice and recommendation of your doctor.
Three Techniques for Declawing Cats
#1. Rescoe Clipper Technique
This is the quickest, easiest, and least expensive of the three ways. The veterinarian will use a sterile clipper to cut the cat’s toe bone tips during this treatment. As a result, the cat loses some of the bones that support its claws.
The procedure’s wounds will be closed with sutures or surgical glue. This procedure alone normally costs $100.
#2. Nail Trimmer/Scalpel Blade Method
This operation is more difficult than the previous one, as well as more expensive. To do this, a guillotine-style nail trimmer or a scalpel blade is used to cut off the last bone of each toe and the claws that are attached to it.
This treatment takes longer and involves higher risks and more downtime from anesthesia. Declawing your cat this way will cost you between $175 and $325 for the operation alone.
#3. Laser Procedure
Laser declawing entails using a laser beam to amputate the bone and the claws that go with it. This approach, as with any laser procedure, is less painful than the others, but it is the most expensive.
The cost might range from $350 to $600, which is still a decent amount given the cost of the equipment ($20,000 to $40,000).
But if you take the price tag off the picture, you’ll see that it can help your cat get used to its new life after treatment because it will be less painful and less likely to bleed after surgery.
Factors Influencing the Cost of a Cat Declaw
The total cost of declawing a cat is determined by a variety of factors. You’ll need to chat with your veterinarian directly to get a more accurate estimate. To evaluate your cat’s needs, he will require a thorough physical examination. The cost of procedures varies substantially between animal hospitals. The medical history of your cat will also be considered while deciding the cost. When a cat is young and healthy, the cost of declawing is often less than when the cat is older or overweight.
#1. Physical exam before your cat is declawed
Before declawing your cat, your veterinarian will assess him to establish his overall health and determine which treatment will be utilized to remove the nails. The examination cost will vary. For example, a hospital in Los Angeles, California, might charge $65 for an exam before declawing. Another facility in Albany, OR, may charge between $50 and $100.
Neither checkup covers the cost of blood tests, which can range from $65 for a presurgical screening to $185 for a full blood panel with urine. Before your cat has surgery, these tests are a must to find out if he has any health problems that could make his recovery harder.
#2. Charge for Anesthesia
The more anesthetic is required to keep your cat entirely asleep, the longer the surgery. The weight of your cat also influences the amount of anesthesia administered. Many veterinarians prefer to declaw kittens under the age of six months. However, some veterinarians will declaw cats as young as five years old. In both cases, the amount of anesthetic that will be needed and the cost of giving it will be different. The cost of anesthesia is usually included in the overall bill at most animal hospitals. This can, however, significantly increase the cost, so be sure to inquire about it during your cat’s initial visit.
Some veterinarians prefer to do the procedure early in the morning and keep the animal in the clinic until late in the afternoon. In some situations, the cat may need to be kept overnight at the clinic. Overnight fees increase the cost of the treatment. The length of time your cat stays at the clinic might account for a large portion of the total cost. Also, the length of your cat’s stay is determined by the type of surgery employed. The length of hospitalization is also affected if your cat is spayed or neutered at the same time.
#3. Antibiotics
Infection is a danger with any surgical procedure. During surgery, your veterinarian may deliver an antibiotic injection. Oral antibiotics are sometimes administered for a length of time after surgery. This is done to avoid future infections. The cost of the drug is determined by the type of antibiotic used and the size of your cat.
#4. Pain relievers
Declawing is a difficult recovery time for your cat, and pain medication is required to help them get through it. You can get pain relief by taking a pill, getting an injection at the clinic, or putting on a medicated patch. All three strategies are used at times. The cost of these techniques varies greatly depending on the type of medication used and the length of time your pet must take it. The cost of such drugs is sometimes included in a flat procedure charge at many clinics. Make sure to ask if painkillers are included in the price you’re being quoted.
Is it cruel to declaw a cat?
Declawing a cat can cause pain in the paws, back pain, infections, tissue death, and lameness. Removing claws alters how a cat’s foot contacts the ground and can cause pain, similar to wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes.
Do vets declaw cats anymore?
Even though declawing isn’t as popular as it used to be and the American Veterinary Medical Association is against it, many pet owners still think about it.
Is declawing a cat worth it?
The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) both say that declawing is bad for cats. The AAFP says that declawing cats is at best questionable from an ethical point of view and is usually not necessary for their health.
What age should you declaw a cat?
Between three and six months
The recommended age range is between 3 and 6 months. Usually, our vets will tell you to cut your cat’s claws when you get it spayed or neutered. For many cats, this is about the age of 5 or 6 months. If your kitten has been spayed or neutered before, we might be able to do the surgery faster.
What can I do instead of declawing
Alternatives to cat declawing:
- Using nail caps – Nail caps, such as Soft Paws, can be used to protect your cat’s nails.
- Feliscratch applied to approved scratching spots — If your cat appears to be determined to scratch your furniture, add Feliscratch or catnip spray to allowed scratching areas.
Do cat nail caps work?
Do cat claw caps prevent scratching? Nope. It only dulls their claws, preventing them from doing serious damage. However, plenty of people on the internet will tell you that nail caps are harsh, “look like mutilation,” and are overall ridiculous-looking.
Conclusion
How much does it cost to declaw a cat? In general, the cost might range from $200 to $800. The American Veterinary Medical Association discourages this, so you may want to try some of the treatments in the previous section first.
Hopefully, this article has given you a lot of useful information on how much it costs to declaw a cat. Please share your opinions in the comments. If you like it, please share it with your family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a groomer put cat nail caps on?
Nail caps are an excellent addition to your cat grooming salon. They are a humane alternative to declawing, appealing to many clients, and a profitable addition to your business!
Will Petsmart put nail caps on cats?
Select locations provide cat grooming and bathing services such as nail trimming, nail caps application, ear cleaning, and sanitary trim. We employ the proprietary, cutting-edge Hydrosurge BathPro 9.0.
How often trim cat claws?
Approximately every 2-3 weeks
Cats, on average, require nail trimming every 2-3 weeks. Mature cats typically require more regular nail trimming than kittens. Provide a scratching post to support your cat’s inherent drive to claw and to maintain their nails short in between nail-cutting sessions.
Can I get my 1 year old cat declawed?
Young, immature cats declawed before the age of 6 months heal the fastest, have the least pain, and are at the lowest risk of complications. The older they get, the more painful the procedure becomes, the slower the recovery, and the greater the likelihood of complications. One year old is not the best age. Two years old is less desirable.
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