Question about declawing

[Elinor]

I have heard recently that to declaw a cat is very bad for them. That they develop problems later on. I had a declawed cat once and he after a few years started to pee on the carpet. I was considering haveing my kittens declawed later on but now I am not so sure about it. Any advice would be appreciated.

[fireshoes]

Elinor, please check the following links and I am sure you will see declawing is inhumane and should not be performed.

From the Helping Paws website:
http://www.listnow.com/helpingpaws/a...rticle_87.html

and the Stop Declaw website(this includes pictures of the surgery):
http://www.stopdeclaw.com

A great alternative, Soft Claws Nail Caps:
http://cats.drsfostersmith.com/produ...fm?pCatId=2975

Hope this helps! I know you'll make the right decision.

[michelerad]

Elinor:

Please, Please, Please read up on declawing before you do anything. I think if more people knew how cruel it was and all of the behavior problems your cat might have they would not do it. I know a lot of people who have done it before they knew any better and now are regretting it. To me, no piece of furniture is worth putting a cat through any pain. Furniture can be replaced.

Michele

[Elinor]

OMG I didnt realize that declawing involved amputation. The pictures I saw made me feel sick to my stomach. I feel so cruel for getting a cat I had years ago declawed. The vet never informed me of what it involved. I thought they just removed their nails and it was a minor surgery.

NO wonder later on he started peeing on my carpet. I will definatly not go with declawing. I am so glad I asked you guys about this. I had read somewhere on here that declawed cats had problems but I never knew what a cruel procedure was involved. They should ban it here in Canada. Thanks

[michelerad]

Elinor:

I am so glad you decided against declawing. You made the right decision!! It was really good of your to research it before doing it. Alot of people just do it without knowing what it going to happen to their cat.

Michele

[Sandie]

Yeahthe kittens are going to keep their claws. I am glad you asked and got the info before making a decision. A lot of people do it because they think it's normal to have it done. Most vets do not warn or inform people. We had a thread a long time ago and went through all the countries it is illegal in. I wish they would ban it everywhere!! In 99% of the cases, it is uncalled for.

[Elinor]

I am glad I asked about it too. I just wish years ago I had found out more about it before subjecting the cat I had to this torture. I trusted the vet at that time and he said it was a very simple thing and no bother to the cat at all. He must have been after more money. He had to have known what it can do to a cat.

[HattKatts]

Originally posted by Elinor
I am glad I asked about it too. I just wish years ago I had found out more about it before subjecting the cat I had to this torture. I trusted the vet at that time and he said it was a very simple thing and no bother to the cat at all. He must have been after more money. He had to have known what it can do to a cat.

Elinor,
There is no need to beat yourself up over this; you did what you thought was right based on professional information you had no reason not to trust at the time. I have 2 cats that have been declawed as well and it wasn't until I was in a Vet's office and saw pictures of the operation that I realized how truly barbaric the procedure is; it's the same as cutting your fingers off at the first joint to clip your nails. In some countries this procedure is illegal as they consider it animal cruelty (and rightly so). All either of us can do now is continue to spread the word about the facts concerning this procedure and hope others will learn from our previous lack of knowledge.

Pete

[michelerad]

I agree with Pete. We all need to spread the word and save as many kitties from this torture that we can.

Michele

[Mavis]

Please don't declaw!!! We clip our boys' claws every week our so and provide them with a scratching post and we have no problems!! Like someone said, furniture or rugs can be replaced, but putting your kitties through that pain is NOT worth it!

[mofong]

Just like Mavis, we have scratching posts in every room, or where there is a tempting piece of furniture.

When I adopted my first cat, Nigel, seven years ago, the shelter wouldn't let us adopt when they knew that we were thinking of declawing. My cousin adopted a cat that was declawed, so I thought it was okay. As soon as the animal counselor explained what the procedure was, my husband and I immediately nixed that idea.

Now I have Nigel and a new cat and we give them "pedicures" about twice a month. The younger cat, who just turned 1, gets hers clipped more often, as they grow quicker. When stretching or just waking up, they both go to the nearest post to scratch and stretch. The little one tried to use my couch, so I bought the "Sticky Paws", and she hasn't tried since.

Declawing is just a quick fix for owners who do not want to spend the time to provide or teach their babies what to do. It's just as cruel as de-barking a dog.

[nena10]

I trim Jake's nails everytime I see them long. I am still learning and sometimes I accidentally go to far. I bought some powder to stop the bleeding. I will not declaw the cat. just get scratching posts and trim the nails.