How much does it cost to declaw a cat?
How much does it cost to declaw a cat?
$500 – $1,500 average total cost
Average cost to declaw a cat
Scratching is a normal behavior for cats, but for owners, it can cause frustration as well as pain or damage to your property. While some owners pursue declawing, keep in mind that it’s a highly controversial surgery that has life-altering consequences for your pet.
The average cost to declaw a cat is $500 to $1,500 total for the procedure itself and anesthesia. Declawing is painful and can cause infections, arthritis, and even more behavioral problems than before the surgery. Be sure to train your cat and pursue every option possible before considering declawing.
| National Average Cost | $1,000 |
| Minimum Cost | $200 |
| Maximum Cost | $1,800 |
| Average Range | $500 to $1,500 |
Is declawing a cat harmful?
Declawing sounds relatively harmless, but it’s actually a form of amputation. The surgery removes a cat’s claw and the connected toe bone, which changes how a cat stands and walks. These changes can cause lifelong pain and carry a risk of infection.
Most animal organizations discourage declawing, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Risks
Declawing comes with a host of physical, emotional, and behavioral side effects for your pet. Consider the following risks and weigh them seriously before considering declawing:
Declawing decreases healthy behaviors like playing and climbing. Some cats develop anxiety or depression after declawing.
Without claws, cats aren’t able to defend themselves if necessary. Declawed cats are more likely to bite.
Declawing changes the way the cat stands, which can cause arthritis, chronic bone pain, or numbness.
Declawing can result in repeat visits to the vet to treat infections, pain, or another surgery to remove a regrown claw.
Declawed cats often avoid digging in the litter box because it’s painful or uncomfortable. They may choose to avoid it altogether and go on the floor instead.
Cats mark their territory by scratching, so a declawed cat may start spraying urine to mark if they can’t scratch.
What affects the cost of declawing a cat?
The following factors influence the cost to declaw a cat:
Cat’s weight: Declawing requires anesthesia and pain medicine, and your cat’s weight determines the dose. Cats don’t vary in size as much as dogs, but medicine for a large Maine Coon may cost more than an average cat or Munchkin.
Paws: Of the vets who perform declawing, many will only declaw the front paws. This costs less than declawing all four paws and reduces the cat’s discomfort slightly.
Cat’s age: Older cats sometimes need more bloodwork before a vet will put them under anesthesia, so the declawing may cost more.
Location: Vets and clinics in larger cities tend to charge more than rural or suburban locations.
Other services: If you decide to forego the declawing or bundle different services, it can impact the total cost.
Cat and kitten vaccinations cost $10 to $45 per dose, depending on the vaccine.
The cost to spay or neuter a cat $35 to $150 at clinics or $200 to $500 at a vet’s office.
Cat teeth cleaning costs $560 to $1,100, or up to $2,000+ for tooth extractions.
Methods
The declawing method can also impact the price:
Clippers: This method uses a sterile surgical clipper to remove the claw and bone. This is usually the least expensive option but often leads to more bleeding and discomfort afterward than other methods.
Disarticulation: This method uses a scalpel instead of clippers and may cost slightly more, but it is potentially more precise.
Laser: This method uses a laser to remove the bone, which helps minimize bleeding and post-operative pain. Laser surgery is the most expensive option due to the high-cost equipment it requires.
Tendonectomy: Instead of removing the claw and bone, some vets cut the tendons connected to the claws on each toe to prevent the cat from extending its claws. This method may seem more humane, but there are complications if you don't trim your cat's claws regularly for the rest of their life.
Alternatives to declawing
Cats naturally scratch in order to clean their claws, destress, play, mark their territory, defend themselves, stretch, and even to show excitement. If your cat is consistently scratching people or your belongings, the following alternatives to declawing can help prevent or stop the behavior:
Scratching posts: Have multiple appropriate scratching posts to provide an outlet for your cat’s innate need to scratch. Pay attention to the materials and locations your cat likes to scratch and place similar scratchers in those areas.
Training: Train your cat to use the scratching post properly by rewarding good behavior every time you see them use it. You can also deter bad behavior with training sprays (usually a citrus scent) or by applying self-adhesive furniture protectors. Consult a pet trainer or behaviorist if necessary.
Enrichment: Some cats scratch when they’re bored or stressed. Make sure your kitty gets plenty of exercise, play, and interaction throughout the day. Identify any stressors and remove them if possible. Try using pheromones or calming sprays if your consistent training and efforts aren’t successful.
Trimming: Trim the sharp tips of your cat’s claws every 1 to 3 weeks to blunt the edges and lessen any damage. If you’re worried about getting scratched while trying to trim them, take your cat to a professional cat groomer or vet instead.
Nail caps: Plastic or vinyl nail caps for cats are a bit controversial and require some maintenance, but they can be effective at blocking the claws from doing any damage. Replace nail caps every 4 to 6 weeks as their nails grow out.
FAQs about declawing a cat
Is it illegal to declaw a cat?
Cat declawing is illegal in the U.K., Brazil, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries. In the U.S., it is banned in Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, New York, and the following cities:
Austin, Texas
Denver, Colorado
St. Louis, Missouri
Pittsburgh and Allentown, Pennsylvania
Madison, Wisconsin
Berkley, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, California.
What is declawing a cat?
Declawing a cat is a surgical amputation of a cat’s claw and the final knuckle in the cat’s feet. The procedure removes the cat’s entire nail bed and the last digit of a cat's toes. This alters the way they walk and can cause a host of side effects such as pain, arthritis, and behavioral problems.
Does pet insurance cover declawing?
Pet insurance does not cover cat declawing because most insurance companies consider it an elective procedure. If you choose to proceed with the declawing, you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Questions to ask a vet
Declawing should only be a last resort. If you’re unable to train or change harmful behaviors on your own, here are some questions to ask your cat’s vet:
How much experience do you have declawing cats?
What can I do to avoid declawing my cat?
Can you recommend any animal trainers or products that might be able to help instead?
What declawing method do you use? Is it the least painful method?
What blood work or exams will you need to do?
How long will the surgery take?
Is declawing painful afterwards?
What potential side effects are there?
How often do declawed cats get infections afterwards?
Could the claws grow back?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.