Declawing Advice... Please no mean comments!!

Please try out the softpaws first. It sounds as if you're going to do that and that's fantastic.

Declawing can have a lot of side effects like capt_jordi mentioned. The surgery involves mutilating the cat's paws. Cats walk on their toes and the first joint of the toes is cut off. It makes them more likely to get arthritis as they get older. The prodecure is very painful and some cats develop an aversion to litterbox use after it because it hurts their paws to scratch in the litterbox. Others become very skittish and nervous and never return to being the lovely cat they were before. Some also start biting and even biting pre-emptively because they feel so insecure. Some become what their owners describe as 'more loving' in the few weeks after the surgery but usually what is happening is that the cat is in pain and confused and regresses developmentally back into acting like a young kitten and becomes very dependent on their human. This can then lead to separation anxiety and other mental problems when the human can't be around the cat 24/7

Then there's potential phantom pain, lameness and and claw regrowth etc.

This doesn't happen to every declawed cat. Far from it, but it can and does happen.

I've had a bunch of scratches from my cat, either from over enthuastic play or from her getting scared while I'm holding her and she kicks off with her back feet to get away.

I see that as a normal part of choosing to share my life with a cat. It can be really lessened by trimming the claws and then if that's not enough to add softpaws on.

Cats are very rarely agressive towards humans, any 'attack' by a cat is usually a bored young cat wanting to play. That type of play agression is not an attack and can easily be handled by playing enough with the cat using toys and then using behavoural training to discourage the play attacks if they've become routine. It can be a bit of work but gets easier as the cat gets older.

Cats are socially mature at around 2 years old so until then you'll still be dealing with the very energetic kitten type behaviour although it depends on the cat and some cats never slow down.

Have you tried clipping nails once a week? You have to do it often if you want less problems with clawing/scratching. I would say too to try the nail caps before considering the declawing. Don't make excuses to "she won't keep them on" if you've never even given her the chance.

IF nothing else is successful, and you choose the declawing, then you MUST keep her no matter what happens after - whether its peeing on clothes, rugs, or other places rather then the litter pan; or she starts fear biting more; or if she hides from strangers or even you or your husband.

There was nothing wrong with the cat before the declaw so you are responsible for any physical or emotional problems that could happen after.

IMO I'd rehome your cat if nothing else works and if you really want a cat, then adopt one that is declawed and accept any and all problems - rather then ruin another cat by declawing.

I'm with most people who have posted that are giving the advice of not declawing your cat.

When I was young my family adopted our first cat and not knowing any better we had her declawed. It was a terrible mistake. She had personality changes and was never the same kitty. She developed a horrible infection and had to have 3 of her toes amputated that caused her years of trouble.

Please try the soft claws, they are a much more humane solution.

You could try just clipping at first--my cat attacks my feet too, and he can't break the skin if he's been clipped. You might have to roll her up in a towel to get her to stay still; and she'll hate it--but she'd hate being declawed even more! A girl like her, who loves to pounce on things... She'd just start biting, if she couldn't use her claws; and a cat's teeth are BAD things to have pierce your skin. Very easy to get infected wounds with a cat's bite.

Question: How old is she? Many cats really settle down once they get out of the kitten stage, and stop pouncing so much.

I'm not going to chastise you for this decision. You are well enough aware of the nature of this procedure. I will say, see if you can find a vet who does the procedure with the laser. There is less chance of hemmorrage and a much quicker recovery time. The last cat my mother had declawed was done this way and it was a lot easier to care for him afterwards. The prior cat had a lot of hemorraging afterwards and as a result of the turniquets has nerve damage in one foot. Since then though, claw removal has changed, and most vets use the laser to zap the nail bed, instead of rip out the claws.

Aftercare is simple, no jumping! Keep the cat as mellow as possible. She will be lethargic the first day as the anethesia wears off, but she will get more active. Keep the litter box impeccably clean, clean it as often as possible and change the litter completely before she comes home. If there is another cat in the house I would even go so far as to buy a disposable litter pan and seperate the cats for the first few days to prevent infection. Look for signs of infection, ie: hot swollen paw pads, or bad reactions to the anethesia like vomiting, and not eating or drinking. Otherwise, your vet will give you advise on after care. Lots of cuddles and treats and a comfy warm bed god far in aiding in recovery!

After recovery, leave the scratching posts and stuff out, my boy with no claws still rubs his feet on them cos they have scent glands there!

My only request is this, ONLY do the front claws. Leave the back claws for defense. All of the cats we've ever declawed kept their back claws with no problems, and all of them used them at one time or another with either another cat or dog! There is never a good reason to 4 paw declaw.

It is obvious that this is a decision that you have considered thoroughly, and that you have weighed the benefits and cons. Personally I see no good reason to rehome a 7 year old cat, just over declawing. If the soft claws don't work (most people I know have had little success with them and many vets I know scoff at their very idea), declawing does not make you the worst mother ever!

BTW: just so I don't get chastized, I am against declawing, but if someone is going to do it, I hope that they do it after being well informed and having no other options. I can't and won't pass judgement.

Have you tried just clipping her claws regularly? It's pretty easy and effective. I personally think if the choice is declaw or rehome, in my opinion you should rehome. Better a new life than maiming her.

This doesn't seem like a decision that was well thought out, if alternative options were not chosen.

Definately nail clipping needs to be done - regularly!! I can always time when it's time for nail clippings, the second one of my kitties starts clawing at somthing besides their scratching post, i know it's time ---- MY FAULT --- I forgot.

I have a HUGE, STURDY scratching post and they use it all the time. This is the 2nd one, as the last one was shredded to bits.

I too vote for rehoming her if you are going to declaw her. You think you have problems now, just wait...nearly 10 years ago I declawed one of my cats because I was not educated on the matter and -- get this -- did it because my live in boyfriend absolutely insisted on it. Well, years later, we broke up and the cat's still here, with no claws, she bites, she hisses if the wind blows by, she eliminates inappropriately at times and she spends most of her time hiding in a closet.

So let me ask you, you want to keep her so much because you love her. Who's going to love her when your husband wants to get rid of her because she's biting and pooping around your house??

Don't do it. You'll be sorry and the guilt is always there...


Oh, she's arthritic now in her paws too. Cries if you touch them, will bite if you really try to handle her paws and lets out a cry each time she jumps from something high. My vet told me that the reason she is still pretending to use the scratching post is not because of scent glands, it's because she's trying to relief the stiffness and joint pain. Don't fool yourself, there is no easier surgery or recovery period. They never recover.

Declawing is basically evil. It is mutilation. It is basically like cutting off your fingers at the first joint. Does your husband know this? Most vets make people watch a horrible video about declawing before they will even consider doing it. Try finding this video online, renting one, or asking the vet to borrow it and make your husband watch it. It will make you sick and if any person can watch a video on the truth of declawing and still declaw, then they do not need a cat. Just because an animals natural habits are annoying or unfavorable to a person doesn't mean the cat needs ti have its "fingers" chopped off to pay for it. I'm sure your cat would rather go to a new home than have it's claws mutilated and then have to resort to biting and peeing and pooping all over the house.

I am going to try a few more alternatives. My DH does not share the same love for animals that I do so he does not understand the problems that could arise Thank you for all the advice and alternative suggestions.

I have a very feisty male cat who was shredding furniture, drywall, wallpaper, and doors. He was also drawing blood on legs--sometimes out of kitten exhuberance but other times there was an aggressive edge to it which was of concern to me because of all the kids that are in and out of our house. After reading and talking to many people here locally who assured me their cats had no problems I opted to do a front declaw and not a day has gone by when I haven't regretted it.

For starters, instead of spending the three nights at the vet's confined, they called the next day for me to get him in hopes he would do better at home. He was so worked up that they couldn't get near him (as in no additional pain meds or litter) and they were really afraid he was going to hurt himself lunging at the cage every time a staff member came by. He's aggressive at the vets anyway but he must have been absolutely feral because when I got there the vet on staff that day asked if he ever let me hold him. I followed the tech in and saw him rise up and go at it but the moment I called his name he just started mewing and clawing to reach out at me. The vet was standing outside the door watching and just shook his head--said he'd never seen anything like it. Needless to say I was heartbroken, especially since this was an optional surgery. He was desperate for me and tried to get at me through the pet taxi all the way home.

I got him home and got pain meds into him and after he'd wandered around to all his areas, I hunkered down on the sofa next to him because generally whereever I go, he goes. I spent as much of the next three days there as I could knowing he'd stand a better chance of healing. He returned to near normal activity over the next weeks but was very aggressive any time someone stepped near his feet (don't blame him) and cleaned himself obsessively which started right after coming home since his back end was so messy. He was totally bored since he could no longer do many of the things he once did. Even my kids made the comment about how sad he looked. A few weeks later he took a downturn and stopped leaping to heights he had been clearing and finally collapsed going up the stairs one day so we were back to the vet for another very upsetting for him appt for pain/anti-inflammatory meds. It took another month until he was back to being our happy cat again and I think that's when the pain was gone or at least had reached a tolerable level. I was sick, sick, sick about it all.

I don't *think* he's in pain but I will always wonder because his gait isn't the same. He had to learn to walk all differently and lost the very strong grasp he had with his front paws. Watching him adapt was like watching him adapt to a handicap. We're not getting clawed nearly as often but he has found some ways to adapt (including one day leaping up and nailing me on my rear with his hind claws). Ironically one of the reasons I felt was most important--possible aggression towards children--has turned out to be totally unfounded. He's very accepting of them. Adults are another story: he does occasionally hiss at them out of the blue so we either shut him up or supervise constantly.

I've hesitated to share this here knowing how strongly members feel, but thought it was time in hopes this story will sway others from making the same mistake I did.

I will never, ever, ever do this to a cat again.

I've worked at many shelters, so I've worked with a variety of cats. The reason I say this is because through all this time I have notice a few things:

1. Cats that have been declawed take longer to get attached to people.
2. Cats that have been declawed are more likely to bite you when you first meet them.
3. Cats that are declawed take longer to get a home, whether they are kittens or older cats.

I would never declaw my cats because I think its inhumane and also I think if they weren't meant to have claws they wouldn't have them. But I also want to say if you are going to declaw her please look into many vets and see who has a good reputation and who doesn't. I have seen many cats get very sick after getting declawed because the vet messed up.

Thank you so much for trying other things first. Remember with softclaws that it may take your cat a while to get used to them, so don't give up easily. Good luck!

Manda

I mean this in the nicest way possible, but I'm sure it will not sound that way.

I'd like you to meet my Twitch someday. Not only does she normally walk on 3 paws because she is front paw declawed, but I have to use certain types of litterboxes because she doesn't pee like a normal cat, she simply sprays. I must wash the spray out of the litterbox 2x a day. I buy more litterboxes than if she didn't spray. She bites, a lot. And mean, nasty, latch-hold, draw blood bites.

I look at it this way, would you rather she scratched you(which you can put SoftPaws on), or she bit you & drew blood?

I have a semi feral in my world and all that is needed for her to live with two immunocomprimised folks is REG claw clipping at the groomer... If your love for your animals is not shared by your mate i see alot of trouble ahead

Originally Posted by sharky

If your love for your animals is not shared by your mate i see alot of trouble ahead

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Hmmm...maybe that should have been MY first clue way back when.

Originally Posted by sharky

If your love for your animals is not shared by your mate i see alot of trouble ahead

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Or at the very least, your mate respect the fact that you do love animals and respect the way you love and care for them.

Sorry if I missed this but do you have her a scratching post?does she use it? if not then I would recommend buying some catnip spray and spray it on the scratching post,if that doesnt work then buy some feliway spray (not the diffuser thats not as potent)and you need to teach your kittie that the scratching post is where the scratching is done,use her favourite toy to entice her over to the post and make sure you make it a fun experience for her,I wouldnt play with a dead log unless there was something enticing for me to chew or eat

I have to agree with Sharky, if your honey doesn't share your love of animals there is definitely trouble ahead.

I don't know if you got her from a shelter or rescue--but one option would be to return her and get an already front declawed adult if your SO absolutely can't deal with claws.

If you do have to go through with a declaw:
*your cat will need soft sandy scooping litter for the rest of their life. Cats walk on their pads not their toes after a declaw. So rough large-pieced litter feels like walking barefoot on a gravel road. Which I have done, and hurts like crazy.

*The cat can get infected feet. According to Raven & Nabu's records they had infections after their declaw (I got their records when I adopted them, all of my cats were declawed by previous owners). I am pretty much lucky that they even use a litter box because of that infection.

*Your cat may be super fussy about the box. 1 of my cats is fanatically fussy about cleanliness of the box.

*Your cat may bite more. 1 of mine doesn't, but if you tick of the other 2 they will bite you in a second.

*Declawed cats are prone to arthritis because of how the declaw changes how they walk.

For the most part, my cats act like normal cats. But I know what to look for and that some things are "off" from the fully clawed cats I grew up with, and my sister's fully clawed cats. My two 10 yr olds do have some signs of early arthritis which I am sure has to do with being declawed.

Declawing should be an absolute last resort. I hope the soft claws work out for you.

Originally Posted by Mrs.Harris

I am going to try a few more alternatives. My DH does not share the same love for animals that I do so he does not understand the problems that could arise Thank you for all the advice and alternative suggestions.

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So glad you are going to get look into other options, Its great that you were even brave enough to ask the question, as a lot of people are so against it here. I am very against it, after all it is banned In my home country England, The soft claws are a bit of a fight to get on when Mellow is awake and wanting to object, sleepy time is definably best to do it, next time I buy some I am going to get the blue ones, that way I feel it may be easier to see what I am doing and iI think it would look cute LOL

Good luck

Well, since everyone else seems to be focused on giving you alternatives and emphasizing how bad declawing is, I decided to try and give you some straight facts and let you decide for yourself. Unfortunately, most info out there on the web is not-so-subtly laced with the author's opinion as well, so I did the best I could. Check out the following website, and good luck with your decision.

Facts on Declawing

Originally Posted by Mrs.Harris

How long does package of soft claws last?

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depends on the cat. Cable's last longer than Java's - i think Java dislikes them more & has more of a tendency to try & pull them off. i use purple for Java & hot pink for Cable. the colors make it easy to see when one is missing. often, i actually remove Cable's because hers stay on forever!

Originally Posted by Callista

You could try just clipping at first--my cat attacks my feet too, and he can't break the skin if he's been clipped. You might have to roll her up in a towel to get her to stay still; and she'll hate it--but she'd hate being declawed even more!

Question: How old is she? Many cats really settle down once they get out of the kitten stage, and stop pouncing so much.

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if she's still a kitten, that's definitely part of the problem! i'm dealing with it right now - Firefox is about 4 months old & driving me & the adult cats insane with the chewing & pouncing, etc. i clip her front claws - have to confine her in a towel to do it, too. i haven't used the soft claws on her yet because i didn't want to invest in the kitten ones - they only come in clear. but i'll be using them on her [orange] if i still have her as an adult.
my older two, Chip & Pixel, are declaws. Chip came that way [adopted from a shelter] & he's a biter. Pixel i declawed 10 years ago before i knew better. i have been fortunate that she hasn't had any behavior problems, altho she has regrown one of her claws.