Can Cats Without Claws Go Outside – Is It Safe?

Getting your cats declawed might be a little rarer these days than it used to be, but it’s not that uncommon. That means that plenty of cat owners are wondering what their cats can or can’t do. 

One of the biggest things pet owners with declawed cats wonder is if their cats without claws can go outside. 

Cats without claws can often go outside, but they need to be supervised the whole time they are outside and should probably be in a harness and leash, so they don’t wander too far. Declawed cats often can’t defend themselves very well, which means that they can be pretty vulnerable when they’re outside on their own. 

Here’s what you need to know about letting your declawed cat outside and when and how it’s safe.

Can Cats Survive With Claws?

Cats can adapt to a wide range of changes, which is why some cats can survive in the wild even when they only have three legs. When it comes to whether a cat can survive without claws, it’s harder to say. 

Cats’ claws are one of their main defenses, but they aren’t the only defense they have. Plus, cats are typically more likely to run and hide from threats than to confront them. Fighting and defending themselves from other predators is something that cats will avoid whenever they can. 

So, while it’s theoretically possible for a cat to survive without claws, and some cats have been able to survive on the streets without their front claws or their back claws, that’s not the norm. 

Cats being able to survive and it being likely are two different stories. The unfortunate reality is that a lot of declawed cats will not survive if they’re going outside without supervision or living outside full time. 

Can Declawed Cats Defend Themselves?

Yes and no. Declawed cats will still be able to defend themselves in a few different ways, including just bumping and kicking without claws. Biting, hiding, and running away are all also good options, but your cat may not be in a situation where that’s possible all the time. 

So, the short answer is that declawed cats can defend themselves, but they don’t have as many options. 

The long answer is that declawed cats can defend themselves, but they have fewer options and may not always know how. The process of being declawed can be traumatic for cats, and they may not realize they don’t have claws in a threat situation. 

Because being declawed can also be highly stressful for your cat, they might not react to stress the same way as before. That includes the stress of being attacked outside. 

Ultimately, while a declawed cat can defend themselves outside, they will have a harder time and will usually be less successful than a cat with claws. 

Can Cats Hunt Without Claws?

Yes! This is one area where not having claws isn’t as much of a problem as you might expect. Declawed cats can still sometimes be skilled hunters. 

However, some cats will lose interest in hunting or have less success when hunting after getting declawed. Reasons for lowered hunting success or interest can range from increased pain in their paws to not knowing how to trap prey animals without claws to help. 

That said, some cats that don’t have claws are as successful as they were with claws or their still-clawed friends. 

However, no matter how skilled your cat is at hunting, you should always make sure they have a consistent alternative food source. Your cat shouldn’t go hungry just because they couldn’t catch enough mice for their dinner. 

Can Cats Still Hunt With Nail Caps

Yes. Nail caps are a common alternative to getting a cat declawed or trimming its claws, and they don’t get in the way as much as other methods. 

Much like removing your cat’s claws, some cats will be successful hunters with nail caps, while others will struggle, and still, others might lose interest in hunting entirely. Their reaction depends entirely on their personality, how the nail caps fit and feel on their claws, and how skilled they are with hunting. 

Can A Declawed Cat Climb A Tree?

This question is harder to answer because it depends a little on the tree and whether your cat is completely declawed or only had the claws on its front paws removed. 

Most cats that still have back claws can still be active and effective climbers. They’re often a little slower or look more awkward while climbing, but they don’t need their front claws as much, so they’re still usually successful. 

However, climbing is more of a challenge if your cat’s front and back paws have all been declawed. Cat’s climbing ability largely relies on the extra traction having claws in the bark of a tree; without that traction, they can only climb if they can jump from limb to limb, or if the tree has grown sideways enough, they can walk up parts of the trunk. 

Do Cats’ Personalities Change When They’re Declawed

This question comes down to individual cats and how they react to getting declawed. Unfortunately, many cats do have a significant personality change after getting declawed. 

There are reports of cats getting more fearful or anxious, less friendly, clingier and less independent, or in some cases more violent and prone to attacking their owners after getting declawed. 

Some of these changes are likely because declawing can be painful for your cat for a long time after they’ve healed, and many cats show signs of weather aches and pains in their paws for years after the surgery. 

Other cats might not show signs of pain but are less trusting because they don’t understand why they were declawed but know that their paws are significantly different after the procedure. 

It’s important for cat owners to know that declawing a cat isn’t just removing the nail bed and a small part of your cat’s paw. The claw cannot be removed without removing everything from the last joint in their toes out, impacting their balance, mobility, and other factors that influence their mood.

Things To Consider

While getting your cat declawed used to be much more common, these days, most vets try to recommend other options before declawing a cat. We’ve learned a lot about cat behavior after being declawed since the procedure was more popular, and a lot of what we’ve learned tells us that this surgery is painful and hard for your cat to process and accept. 

If you’re thinking about getting your cat declawed, you should consult with your vet on all your options. An alternative may give the results you’re looking for, but that’s also easier on your cat. 

It’s also important for cat owners to know that not all vets will perform declawing surgeries these days. If your vet refuses to perform declawing surgeries, it’s a good idea to ask them why so you can be fully informed of the risks and potential outcomes for your cat before you decide if it’s the right option for you.