Question: Ragdolls and Declawing

My husband and I really want a Ragdoll cat. But since we have birds, we'd need to declaw our kitten's front paws. (Plus, we'd do it for the sake of our furniture, our flesh, etc.) A Ragdoll breeder, however, recommended that we not declaw a Ragdoll because it changes their personalities in a negative way.

Can anyone comment on this? I'd especially love to hear from folks with firsthand experience with a declawed Ragdoll.

Thank you,

Jenk

Jenk:

You will hear from just about everyone here that declawing can change the disposition of just about every cat. It is an inhumane procedure, outlawed in many countries, where it is not just the claw being removed, but up to the first knuckle joint.

My only suggestion to you is to check out this site before you decide anything. It gives a good idea of what happens during a declaw surgery and the risks involved.

www.stopdeclaw.com

I would also urge you to educate yourself before asking a vet to perform an amputation on such a lovely cat. Here is a link from our Health Forum. This is a sensitive issue for many cat lovers. I hope, because you have come here first asking, that no one will flame you and instead will try to let you see there are other alternatives. I have 12 cats all were feral at one time, and I have fine furniture and all my flesh is still intact. You can train cats easily to not scratch furniture or you. The concepts are simple, it just takes time and patience to implement them.


Educate Please

Jenk, I gave you a link to a variety of articles on declawing in your other thread, "Want to Prepare for Cat Ownership." These articles also contain information on declawing alternatives.

I have a house full of guinea pigs, and a cat that is a hunter. She has all her claws, and I have all my guinea pigs. I've never even thought about getting her declawed for the safety of the pigs. Cats can be trained, and precautions taken, to avoid any heartbreaking accidents. I urge you to read the links provided by others here, as they are all so very informative.

I'm willing to listen to alternatives. It's just that we have two birds; I can't remember if a cat releases poison from its claws, or if only its saliva can be deadly to birds. I've asked my bird forum friends for a reminder.

My only concern, by the way, would be to put the cats front claws "out of commission," so to speak. I don't like the feel of cats claws in my skin (which I've experienced), and I want to protect my birds, as well. But if there are other methods of claw protection, like I said, I'm willing to research them.

Thank you,

Jen

Cats do not release poison from their claws or saliva. It sounds like you have gotten some bad information. I urge you to read the information in the provided links. Welcome to TCS. The people here are friendly and always ready to give good advice. I have solved several behavioral problems in my youngest cat by using some of this good advice. God Luck!!

There is something in cats' saliva (or the claws) that can be deadly to birds. It essentially poisons their system, and they need an emergency shot to neutralize the toxins. I've owned/ studied birds for 14 years; I know what I'm talking about (and, no, I'm not saying that in a rude manner). Most cat enthusiasts (who know nothing of birds) do not know this information.

Jenk

It is actually their saliva that is deadly to birds, not anything contained in their claws. I know of several cat people who foster who also have birds and have never had an accident with losing one or the other. I will periodically be called on to save wildlife in my location, and have successfully raised and re-released, baby skunks, baby jays and robins, baby coons and posssums and others.

I would hope for your future cats sake, that you will either reconsider getting the front paws removed (which is no different than getting all the claws removed) or that you may just stick to one species of pets which are birds. You say you are not fond of feeling cats claws on your skin- so when your birds bite you, do you then wish to de-beak them? I am not flaming you, I am just trying to make you aware of the gravity of the issue here. De-clawed cats become behavioural problems many times after their surgery. For the reasons of the pain issue, they sometimes deficate outside the litterbox, and also because of the trauma and pain they can become biters instead of clawers. If you have bad memories of being scratched by a cat or kitten, perhaps your interaction with that cat or kitten needs to change? Instead of resorting to an easy or sometimes lazy fix of getting the claws removed. It may be easier on the cat owner or the furniture, but it is so much harder on the cat.

As I said earlier, this is a sensitive issue for most, me included. I know of a kitty right now that was declawed and is now having to spend the rest of his life in a cage because of his rage issues. The owner is now emailing me for solutions to this, and there are no easy answers. I see this stuff all the time and to be honest, it makes me heart-sick. Please walk into this with your eyes open to the knowledge and experience of others who have been there and don't shut you eyes because you might already have decided to declaw this cat you do not yet have. Also I am moving this to the Health Forum as that is the proper place for it.

One alternative to declawing is Soft Paws nail caps.


Click here to learn more.
Soft Paws

My birds' vet's two cats have the soft Paws nail caps. I read the info. and am interested in them. I am concerned, however, about how one goes about getting the caps *on* a cats front paws.

Jen

I would hope for your future cats sake, that you will either reconsider getting the front paws removed (which is no different than getting all the claws removed) or that you may just stick to one species of pets which are birds. You say you are not fond of feeling cats claws on your skin- so when your birds bite you, do you then wish to de-beak them? I am not flaming you, I am just trying to make you aware of the gravity of the issue here. De-clawed cats become behavioral problems many times after their surgery. For the reasons of the pain issue, they sometimes deficate outside the litterbox, and also because of the trauma and pain they can become biters instead of clawers. If you have bad memories of being scratched by a cat or kitten, perhaps your interaction with that cat or kitten needs to change? Instead of resorting to an easy or sometimes lazy fix of getting the claws removed. It may be easier on the cat owner or the furniture, but it is so much harder on the cat.

Click to expand...

Hissy,

My husband and I will explore the Soft Paws nail clips option further.

As for being scratched in the past... I've not had any serious accidents/ run-in's with cats, but I have been inadvertantly scratched by kittens tearing through a house like they were on fire, and by an adult cat "sharpening" its claws on my stomach. I realize that a young kitten must outgrow its kittenish ways and will be more inclined to use its claws more recklessly. I will grin and bear it.

And though I don't defend or knock declawing, for the record, I've known some truly wonderful cats who've been declawed. So there must be vets out there who aren't as inhumane as others (at least not maiming the cats' paws). Or there are cats who are so naturally sweet that declawing doesn't change their behavior. *shrug*

Thanks,

Jenk

Jenk:

The site tells you how to apply them. Sounds pretty simple to me.

Jenk,

All I hope is that you make the right decision for you and your cat. I know only of the disadvantages of declawed cats, because of what I choose to do with my life in rescue work. As I said, it is a sensitive issue. I have given you all the facts at my disposal so that is all I can do. Good luck

Deb25, Hissy, Anyone,

I guess I'm trying to figure out how someone holds down a cat for a successful application of Soft Paws nail caps. I can't believe that a cat would just extend its paws for you and allow you to apply them. Of course, I'm also used to handling birds; I know how rare it is to be able to train a bird from a young age to sit still and accept nail/ wing clipping without using restraint.

Thanks,

Jenk

Jenk,

It would be a matter of getting the cat acclimated first to messing with their paws, but it can be done. It would be done much the same way as you would get a kitten used to trimming their claws. What I do, is first feed them a nice meal of wet food, usually in the early afternoon. Then once they stretch out for a nap, I just take their paw and start toying with it, until they no longer snatch it away from me. Then I just gradually get them used to being handled between their pads, until they just finally lay there and allow me to clip their claws. I trim my cat's claws probably once a month. They naturally blunt their claws outside when they sharpen them on trees. You can provide the same thing for your kitty by buying a natural wood scratching post or one with sissal (rope) which will help blunt her nails.

Just a bit of input on trimming cats nails. I have two cats, both of who easily oblige me when I trim their nails, about once every two weeks. I did start when they were young, and they do very well. I would assume this would also apply to the soft paws.

Also, not every cat scratches the furniture, the people in the family, the carpet, etc. Mine use their scratching post and nothing else. They're religious about it. They never scratch the kids, even if the kids are annoying them. They don't chase our rats, so I know that cats can live with animals that have historically been part of their food chain. I think all it takes is time and training and patience.

From what I've heard, Ragdolls are pretty laid back, relaxed cats. I bet you would have minimal problems with the entire thing.

When you say that your cats don't chase your rats, I assume that you mean the rats and cats often share the same floor space and are free to roam around/ intermingle, yes? I have heard of people's cats and birds sharing food and of birds preening cats' whiskers. Personally, I wouldn't allow a bird to eat cat food, a cat to eat bird seed/ pellets, nor would I allow a bird to preen a cat's whiskers, I would very much encourage socialization between the two. Any animal living in my home must understand that we respect (not eat) one another. LOL

Thank you for your time. Know that my husband and I will not declaw our future cat. We did go to the humane society yesterday, and I fell for just about every kitten/ cat there (even the declawed ones). But we're waiting for cat ownership; I have more learning to do.

Take care,

Jenk

Jenk thank you for your thoughtfulness during this post. I apologize if I came across heavy-handed. I just see the negative aspects of cats who have been de-clawed and that has pretty much set my opinions pretty firm. I do know that there is a gal on Acmepet bird board who has both foster cats and her own birds. She has a lot of good information about raising the two together. You might want to go to that board and ask around- although flames do fly over there quite regularly. So just be aware of that. I don't recall her name at the moment,I am thinking it is Amy but I could be wrong. Good luck in finding out what you need to know and thank you for researching first before taking any action.