Why NOT to Declaw you Ferret... - Animals - http://maxpages.com/ferretz/Why_NOT_to

Well, you think that since your cat was declawed, it's safe for your ferret. You are sick and tired of the torn up carpet. You are afraid that your children will get scratched. There are many reasons why people try to get their ferrets declawed. Unfortunately, most of these are not medical. The medical, ethical, and morrally correct decision is to NOT DECLAW YOUR FERRET! Here's why:

- There is a large difference between cats and ferrets (If you haven't already noticed...) therefore making the declawing procedure of a cat totaly different thatn that of a ferret. A cat's toenail is attached to a piece of bone which is removed from the foot once the animal is declawed. Although the bone is gone, it causes no harm because it is not a weight bearing part on the cats body, nor are the toenails. (I am not condoning the declawing of cats, I am only stating the facts.) A ferret is completely different though. Because the feret's toenail is attached to an important weight bearing bone, it is almost impossible for a ferret for a declawed ferret to walk properly.

- When a ferret is declawed it will no longer walk correctly. There could be medical repercussions later on in your ferret's life, though. These include lameness and arthritis. Post-operative complications are also a possibility, especially if the animals puts too much weight on its feet. Infection and abcesses are other complications dealing with the declawing of ferrets. If not controlled, amputation could be the only cure once an infection reaches the bones on your ferret's foot.

- Declawed ferrets will suffer from a worse quality of life. Would you want that for your pet? Without claws, a ferret has no traction on slick surfaces like linoleum and tile floors. Without the grip, when a ferret tries to climb, it is much more likely to fall and suffer injury, which could be serious. If the issue really is spending money to replace ruined furniture and carpeting, don't you think that it would be better to just give your ferret to a shelter or find it a home where it will not cause this kind of "destruction"? I think so.

- Besides, there are other solutions, rather than declawing your ferret. Try keeping your ferret out of the rooms that he/she is most destructive in. Try placing remnants of old carpet in the corners your ferret claws, cut up into 3 x 3 squares. Plastic floor mats work as well. Also, try giving your ferret more room outside, so it won't grow longer claws, or even better, clip them every two weeks.

- Please, if you are interested in your ferret's well being, DO NOT DECLAW IT. It is not a question of money or time. It is a question of love for your animal.

(This information has been collected from FERRETS magazine.)

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Page Updated Tue Aug 8, 2000 2:57pm EDT