An estimated 3 to 4 million domestic cats are declawed in the United States each year. However, cost can be a major factor in this decision which is why there is so much interest in how much does a cat declaw cost.
Regardless if you are an owner of a cat or not, the cat declaw surgery is an interesting topic. It comes as no surprise that there is little information on how much does a cat declaw cost out there. After all, this is a rather sensitive subject to most people so I don’t blame them for avoiding it like the plague.
How much does a cat declaw cost
The cost of declawing a cat starts at $100 and goes up to $400.
You can declaw your cat at any age, but kittens and older cats tend to recover better than adult cats. The cost of declawing a cat starts at $100 and goes up to $400. The reason for this difference is because the cost depends on how much anesthesia your veterinarian uses during the procedure, as well as what method they use to perform it.
The cost also varies depending on where you live in the United States. Some states have laws prohibiting veterinarians from performing declaw procedures unless their patients are sedated or anesthetized. If this is true in your state, then you may not be able to have a surgical specialist do the procedure on your cat without having them first receive general anesthesia before going into surgery (as opposed to just doing an outpatient procedure without giving general anesthesia). This can make surgery more expensive because it will require an additional visit with another specialist before going into surgery—and if that specialist does not offer discounts for surgical procedures as part of their practice plan, then those extra costs may get passed along onto pet owners too!
Declawing isn’t just removing the claws.
Declawing isn’t just removing the claws, it’s removing a part of your cat’s body. Cats need their claws for balance and for climbing up trees, so if you remove them you will change your cat’s behavior. Cats also use their claws to defend themselves by scratching people and other animals who are threatening them. It is important that cats be able to mark their territory with scratching posts or furniture made specifically for this purpose.
If you get a declawed cat they will be more likely to bite in self defense because they can no longer scratch someone without pain themselves!
The declaw procedure is called onychectomy.
The procedure is called onychectomy. The veterinarian will remove the claws and the first joint, which contain nerves and tendons, from each toe. A cat may need to wear a protective collar for a few weeks after surgery. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so your cat will be unconscious during the procedure.
Most veterinarians use an electric scalpel for declawing because it’s faster and less painful than a surgical saw. Some veterinarians have their assistants perform the procedure while they watch carefully over their shoulders as they prepare to cauterize any bleeding areas or make sure that nothing unexpected happens during surgery (if you’ve ever seen an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, this would be like when Meredith watches over Cristina’s shoulder while she helps Bailey with her patient).
Onychectomy is usually performed in an animal hospital or clinic setting; some vets offer home visits if they feel comfortable doing so (this means you’ll have someone come out to your house). If you’re looking into going this route yourself—which is possible if you’re willing to invest in additional tools and training courses—you’ll likely want one person on hand at all times who understands how not just cats but also dogs react after undergoing invasive procedures such as these surgeries since even small movements could cause serious damage without someone present who knows what kind of precautions need taken beforehand
There are several different ways of declawing cats.
There are several different ways of declawing cats.
- Scalpel: This is the most common method of declawing. It involves removing the claws by making an incision in the skin, then cutting through the tendons and ligaments that hold the claw to its nail bed. The cat must be put under anesthesia for this procedure, which can be expensive and painful to recover from.
- Laser: In this process, a small laser is used to sever nerves in order to stop sensation in your cat’s toes but not damage them beyond repair. If done properly, this method can result in less pain for your pet than other options—but it also means there’s more room for human error during surgery so you may need extra help with post-treatment care if anything goes wrong or complications arise later on down the line (which isn’t uncommon). Of course, those costs add up fast!
- Electro-cautery: Another option involves using an electric current run through small wires that are placed inside each toe until either all ten digits have been removed or only five remain (depending on what you decide). Most vets prefer using this technique because it requires less skill than laser surgery does; however since electricity flows through both sides simultaneously instead of just one at a time like lasers do–they’re much less likely than their counterparts
Declawing your cat may require a cone after surgery, which is an additional cost you should consider when budgeting for the procedure.
If your cat has been declawed, he or she may require a cone after surgery. A cone is used to prevent the cat from licking or biting the area. Cone usage varies from hospital to hospital and from veterinarian to veterinarian, but most doctors recommend wearing it for about seven days following the operation.
If you have decided that declawing is an option for your pet, know that there are other costs associated with this procedure besides just paying for the surgery itself. In addition to purchasing a crate, you should budget some extra money for post-operative care and supplies if needed (such as pain medication). The cone mentioned above is not required by law; however, many veterinarians recommend using one because it can help prevent infection while also protecting your furniture from damage caused by scratching behavior or inappropriate licking during recovery time. You should also note that this item is not covered by insurance; it’s considered an optional supply—meaning that if your provider offers them at all they will be sold at full retail price (which tends to be around $15).
Declawing a cat can get expensive depending on the method used.
The cost of declawing a cat can vary depending on the method used. The most common way to declaw a cat is with surgery and anesthesia, which will cost between $100 and $400 depending on the clinic you visit. In some cases, your veterinarian may recommend laser surgery or digital amputation (shortening of toe bones). These methods are less expensive but take longer to heal and require more visits with your vet than traditional surgery methods.
Conclusion
Say no to declawing your cat.