Declawing Tigers Has Adverse Effects On Their Muscular Capability, Study Says

There is a reason why experts are not encouraging declawing cats, including those of the larger species such as the tigers. Studies have shown that this practice could negatively affect their muscular capabilities and functions.

Biological Sciences Professor Adam Hartstone-Rose explained that declawing a tiger or any member of the family of cats was not just trimming their nails but it is actually a practice of removing a part of their bones.

"Like us, each cat finger has three bones, and declawing is literally cutting that third bone off at the joint," Hartstone-Rose said in the Phys.Org report.

Findings of the study

In most cases, the practice of declawing is being done to large cats in some areas in the United States so that they could safely be handled during photo opportunities or in entertainment reasons. In other areas, this act is being prohibited.

Experts then checked what could be the impact of declawing to lions and tigers. They observed and studied at the muscular anatomy of more than a dozen of exotic cats, including bobcats, servals and ocelots, as well as lions and tigers, in order to have a concrete definition of what the effect will be on their forelimb musculature.

Part of the study was the measurement of the muscle density and mass as well as the examination of the muscle fibers from both clawed and declawed exotic cats.

The researchers have discovered that for the larger species, the process of declawing has resulted in 73 percent lighter musculature in the forearm's digital flexors.

Moreover, it was found out that the forelimb strength had decreased by 46 percent to 66 percent, depending on the size of the animal. The other muscles in the forelimb, meanwhile, did not compensate for these reductions.

The lead author of the study, Lara Martens, explained that big cats are often described as more dependent on their forelimbs as they bear most of the weight. She noted that bigger cats also use their forelimbs to grapple whenever they hunt a larger prey.

"So biomechanically speaking, declawing has a more anatomically devastating effect in larger species," Martens said.

Onychectomy is explained in the study as the surgery in which the claw and nailbed or whole distal phalanx are removed to "declaw" carnivores. This is usually performed on domestic cats throughout the United States.

Usually, cat owners have requested for this in order to minimize scratching and furniture damage caused by their pet cats.

Non-domestic cats, on the other hand, are usually declawed and surgically modified through the use of other measures to make it more convenient to own these increasingly popular cats.

Alternatives to declawing

The study indicated that there are possible alternatives to declawing domestic cats, which can be considered as more humane and will ensure the welfare of animals.

Some veterinarians recommend declawing only the front claws to reduce pain and preserve certain behaviors, such as scaling trees.

However, experts believed that many of these alternatives are not as successful in non-domestic cats.

Experts said it is their job to document the possible negative effects of this kind of surgery on the animals.

Hartstone-Rose said in a Science Daily report it is difficult to ignore the cruelty of the practice on animals.

"These are amazing animals, and we should not be allowed to cripple them, or any animals, in this way."

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