Scratching is a cat’s instinct. However, when it comes to some consequences of this behavior, we might think of declawing surgery.
The act of declawing a cat has raised a strong struggle in many cat owners’ thoughts and choices since it’s painful for your cat. Before making a decision, you should consider alternative ways or visit the vet for advice.
Once you’ve made up your mind, you might start questioning, “Where can I declaw my cat for free?”. This article will show you five declawing services that perform the procedure without costing you a fortune. Let’s check them out!
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Cheapest Places to Get a Cat Declawed
1. Animal rescue groups or organizations
There’re some rescue clinics that might give you a free cat declawing procedure. You can search for Kitten Rescue nonprofit organization near me and contact them for assistance.
2. The Humane Society
The cost to declaw a cat at the humane society is reasonable, as it is based on your income. Also, it’s free if your cat is under-socialized or unadaptable.
3. Local cat shelters
Getting cats declawed free at the local shelter is also an option. Or else, they’ll transfer him to other qualified organizations so that you still have discount declawing for cats.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in your area can also help you to find shelters that offer low-cost or free operation for your cat.
4. Vet schools
Bringing your cat to a veterinary school is another way to get your cat declawed for cheap since these schools have this surgery in their discipline for students.
It’s important to notice that your cat will be kept on campus for several days during the procedure.
Carefully revise their guidelines and make an appointment if you all agree with them.
5. In-home vets
How about declawing a cat at home? If you know any professional in-home vets (better if that’s the ones who used to care for your child and be familiar with him), ask them for help.
With this option, you can negotiate about the declaw cat price. A free service is available when you know each other well enough.
Reasons Why People Declaw Cats
It’s not an easy decision to get a feline declawed. Nevertheless, when there is a lot of damage or harm from cats scratching, declawing is the only way to ensure a longer stay for them. These are possible reasons that might lead to the unexpected surgery:
1. For the cat’s health
Some cats are put into declawing surgery not to prevent their scratching behaviors but for their health issues.
When they’re diagnosed with cancer, fungal infection, or they’ve got severe injuries, declawing is a necessary step to maintain their life. Then it’s time to find cheap places to declaw cats.
2. Protect family members (including kids, elderly people, and ones with certain diseases) from infection or any other health danger.
When newborn kids and young children are scratched by cats too often, people think of declawing for cats so that they can still live together.
The same circumstance happens to those families with old people who’ve got health issues or ones with Hemophilia.
3. Protect household items
Excessive scratching in cats has damaged many pieces of furniture in the house, such as tables, chairs, and wardrobes.
4. Save other cats and animals in the house
If there are always fights among cats, which leads to severe damage to themselves, the optimal way might be to get their claws removed. This ensures a safer and friendlier living environment (especially for those tiny kittens and puppies).
Cost to Get a Cat Declawed
The average fee for declawing a cat ranges from $600 to $1800 (but it might increase much more if your cat needs additional treatment after the surgery).
This price varies depending on many factors such as the clinic where you take him, the procedure they take, and your cat’s age, weight, and health condition.
For example, a younger kitten will cost you less than an older one whose paws and blood vessels are completely developed. If you want to reduce the cost a little bit, get your kitten declawed by the time he’s spayed or neutered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What states is it illegal to declaw a kitten?
New York and Maryland are the two states that have banned the procedure of declawing a cat.
Cities of many other states also outlaw declawing, including
- Denver of Colorado
- Austin of Texas
- Louis and St. Louis County of Missouri
- Allentown and Pittsburgh of Pennsylvania
- Volusia County of Florida
- Madison of Wisconsin
- Eight California cities: San Francisco, Berkeley, West Hollywood, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Burbank, and Santa Monica.
Best time to declaw a cat?
The older your cats get, the more difficult and risky the declawing takes. The ideal time for removing their claws is when they’re three months to 6 months old.
For a more convenient surgery (and less expensive, as stated earlier), you can have them declawed and spayed simultaneously (when they reach five months to 6 months of age).
How to care for a cat after declawing?
After the surgery, your cats will need more time to heal and rest. It’s important to keep an eye on their health and make some changes to ensure the best recovery. Here are some necessary things you should do:
- Use paper litter instead of the regular one to prevent infection
- Let them use medication regularly, following the vet’s instructions
- Provide a cozy, clean, and confined place for them to stay
- Check their feet regularly
Are cats sad when they get declawed?
Actually, cats might get depressed after their claws are removed. This stress and anxiety might last for a long time. However, we still hope for a faster and better recovery if you give them suitable care and supplements for what they’ve lost.
Conclusion
We hope this post has given you a clear answer to the question “Where can I declaw my cat for free?”. However, since this is not an easy procedure for your cats, think it through before taking them to the operating table.
After they’re declawed, it’s essential to pay more attention to their health conditions and lifestyle. Any unfamiliar symptoms and behaviors should be immediately diagnosed to make sure that they’re still leading a happy and healthy life after the surgery.
I am Amy Sawy, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduate from the University of Kansas. y husband, Dr. Plummer, and I own a veterinary clinic in Phillipsburg, Kansas. In addition to my professional background, I am a devoted pet owner myself, with a household that includes dogs, rodents, and most notably, cats – a total of five felines in my home.
In 2020, I joined an organization as a professional writer, leveraging my experience and collaborating with my team to deliver the most valuable information for your cat’s care.
