Cats not eating post declaw

We have 2 cats who were declawed 5 days ago (Tuesday).

They came home Thursday.

They didn't eat much while @ the vet, but when they came home, they were famished. I called the vet (our vet closes late), and they said as long as they don't eat a large quantity in one sitting, it's ok, so every 45 minutes we were putting down about 2 table spoons of food.

However, Friday, Saturday, and so far today (it's almost 9 AM now), they've barely eaten.

I'm changing their litter box daily (using "Yesterday's news"), but there was no poop there yesterday @ all.

They eat a fraction of what they normally eat.

They aren't running around (to be expected), but they follow us around more than normal.

On one hand I could go to the animal hospital (vet closed on Sunday), but I don't know what they could do for them today, since this may just be recovery process taking longer.

Any ideas? Pointers? Advice?

Declawing is a very painful surgery since it involves effectively multiple amputations. The cats following you around more than usually is normal since cats often regress a bit age wise with that trauma. I.e they get back into being a bit more like helpless kittens for a while and will need more reassurance from you.

It can go the other way as well and they can become aloof and scared because of the pain they're dealing with.

As for eating, I don't know. Is there a possibility of the cuts having become infected? Are they properly hydrated? (pinch the skin on the back of their necks and if it flops back down quickly they're ok, if it stays standing up they're dehydrated).

I'm sorry you felt you had to have them declawed but since that's happened already the only thing to do now is to try and get them as comfortable as possible so they get to enjoy the rest of their lives.

Is there a vet helpline you can phone? Where I live there are emergency vets you can phone up free of charge and get advice over the phone.

They've had a major traumatic surgery. They're likely to be different (possibly forever, since some cats never really get over the pain from declawing).

The behavior changes are not so surprising, and it does take the system a little while to get going after general anesthesia. I would call the vet if they don't get back on track in the next day or so. They're probably not eating much because they can't go...

Why did you declaw your cats? It is illegal in the UK for very good reason

With the litter tray, are you sure they are not doing it elsewhere. Declawed cats can often avoid the litter tray. It is painful for them. As for the eating, I'm not sure, can you try putting the food bowls down on a different texture of floor? They may not want to stand on the floor surface for long periods of time.

Originally Posted by sadieandziggy

Why did you declaw your cats? It is illegal in the UK for very good reason

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There's no reason to heap on the guilt now, the cats have already been declawed. Nothing we do will bring their claws back.

What we can do is to be supportive and help as much as we can. She's obviously concerned about their wellbeing or she wouldn't have posted at all.

It is a good pointer though to search and see if they have gone elsewhere. I know you're using soft newspaper as the litter rather than proper litter so the pain of using it should be less for them now. Have they be using it to pee in?

As for what to look out for in the future. If they do develop litterbox problems it's almost certainly because of the declaw. So you'll need to work with them if that happens, it's not their fault.

Also check their paws regularely, sometimes the amputation of the part of the toe that is cut off isn't done properly and a fragment is left behind and a deformed claw can start growing inside the paw. Basically if they start showing any sign of discomfort in their feet after the initial healing period you should take it very seriously. Cats are very good at hiding their pain so any pain they do show is probably very significant.

Also declawed cats are more likely to get arthritis when they grow older so you may have to in the future make little ramps for them so they can get onto couches and beds without having to jump. That should be in the far future though but it's better to be aware of stuff like that. So you know how to make them more comfortable if that happens.

If they are not eating, it is not unusual for them to not use the litterbox as there is no waste for them to get rid of.

You can try feeding them with some kitten milk replacement (few cats won't eat it given the chance) to ensure that they are getting the nutrients they need as not eating enough, even for a few days can make cats sick.

Not that it matters, but we tried 4 different types of scratching posts, a tree, the "nail polish" type stuff, the nail covers, clipping their nails every 2-3 days, etc..

NOTHING worked...we just bought a new home (tons of new carpet, new furniture, etc), and they were scratching at everything..

At their annual checkup, we asked the vet for advice. What the vet told us was, that these were obviously cats that were very loved and cherrished (based on the condition of the coat, personality, overall health state, etc..), and that while vets don't generally like to declaw, that declawing a cat to keep that in a loving/caring home for the next 10-15 years is better than us giving the cat to a home where they likely won't receive the same level of love and attention.

While it IS a painful surgery and we were aware of that, considering the amount of unloved cats out there that get abandoned and abused, the vet felt that short term pain for a long life of love and attention was in the best interest of the cats.

We weren't thrilled at the idea of the declaw, but having tried just about every suggested method we could find and consulting with a professional, short of getting rid of the cats, this was the only option left.

So here we are..5 days past declaw, and I am here asking for HELP and ADVICE from others because WE LOVE OUT CATS....bashing me and telling me that what we did was cruel and such isn't helpful.

They don't go poop somewhere else...they drink (I did the recommended check). 1 cat is doing better than the other. Charm (Calico, female..thin) up and about and is eating more than Cupid (Tuxedo Cat, male....overweight), who hasn't eaten much, and isn't all that active.

Vet suggested we try giving them canned food (they normally don't eat it...they normally get dry food a water), because it smells stronger...they've each taken a bit of it, but still not tons.

Ok, I would assume that not eating properly is probably a pain related thing. Since cats walk on their toes and your cats are currently having to heal multiple toe-wounds and their weight bearing skeletal system has changed, it's more painful for them to walk obviously.

It'll be worse for a heavier cat because they have more weight to carry. Just like it's worse for an overweight human to walk on a sprained ankle vs. a slightly underweight human. It's simple physics. More weight on the injury = hurts more.

Were you given any pain medication for them? I would also consider taking the cat in to be looked at if he's not improving in the next few days (if he gets worse then definately take him in). It may have been that something went wrong with the operation.

ETA: Just to be clear, I don't believe there's ever an excuse for declawing and I am very happy to be living in a country where it's classified as animal abuse and a criminal offence to have cats declawed. However since the cats being talked about in this thread are already declawed, there's no point in discussing it here.

Be very careful with a cat that isn't eating for any reason!! Even a couple days without food can cause major damage, especially to their livers. Watch their skin colouring for any signs of yellow, and if they don't start eating very soon I suggest you go to the vet and get their bloodwork checked, if their liver enzymes are low they will die without food and you may have to assist feed them. Declawing very commonly can cause Feline hepadic lipidosis, which is caused by them not eating and I just dealt with in with my cat (not from declawing, we aren't sure why she stopped eating) but anything that causes them to stop eating can cause them to die, so be very careful and watch them very cloesly. I am hoping that they are just not eating from the trauma from the surgery and being at the vets (normal for cats) and are back to normal soon.......but if it's more (depression etc. from losing their claws) you may have to interveen.

Did your vet send home any pain medications? If not, I would call and ask for some buprenorphine or metacam.

Can you call the vet first thing tomorrow? I would be worried about the paws being infected since they aren't eating and seeming sore 5 days after.

I hope they are ok.

One of my friends had her cat declawed when he was a youngster, and she said he would stand on his back legs a lot. But she never said he was off of his food. My guys were all declawed by previous owners, so I don't have much experience with the surgery after care.

I am sorry that you have had to make this decision. It doesn't sound like you were looking forward to having this done and did it as a last resort.

All that said, on to the not eating...
IMO, although, note that I am not an "expert" by any means. I would think that this could be due to three things...
1. As others have mentioned, if they are not on pain meds, they could be not eating due to the pain. In that case, see if you can get some pain meds.
2. If the cat has developed an infection and has a fever, they might not feel like eating (I don't usually feel like eating if I have a fever). In this case, take to the vet.
3. If the cat IS on pain meds, the meds might be making him nausous... I had some vicadin (sp?) once when my wisdom teeth were removed and it made me very nausous and I completely lost my appetite while on it... If that is the case, maybe ask your vet for a different type of pain med.

HTH,
Art

How are they doing now? Any change?

Just wanted to throw this in: Cats scent mark when they scratch. It isn't about destroying things, it's about claiming them. When moved into a new territory, cats will put their scents all over EVERYTHING, and clawing is one of the ways that they will do this, especially if there were ever pets that lived there before you moved in. They have scent glands on their feet just like on their cheeks.

I'm sorry that you felt you had to take such an extreme measure, but it sure can't be reversed, so I'm not going to harp on it.

MANY that your cats are able to heal from this both physically and emotionally, and quickly! Eat kitties, EAT!!!!

Originally Posted by Siggav

Also check their paws regularely, sometimes the amputation of the part of the toe that is cut off isn't done properly and a fragment is left behind and a deformed claw can start growing inside the paw. Basically if they start showing any sign of discomfort in their feet after the initial healing period you should take it very seriously. Cats are very good at hiding their pain so any pain they do show is probably very significant.

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Pixel has grown back one of hers, but it's not causing her a problem. Chip really hates for me to check his, but i persist. so far, he hasn't grown back any of his.
i agree that if they're not eating as much, they're not going to go as much. & that the heavier cat would be in more pain than the lighter one - but pain will pass.
you might try some of the WBCL or the Arm & Hammer natural - they're both quite soft in texture, but still allow that 'digging' motion. my cats did NOT like the newpaper shreds or the newsprint litter!

they were famished when they came home because they were probably still doped up on pain meds, and felt pretty good. The pain meds have worn off now and they are probably feeling icky all over. I have several pet peeves, the top ones being what people feed their animals and declawing. That being said, I would rather see a cat eat nothing but Meow Mix cat for their whole lives than be declawed. I think the UK has a great law, I only wish they would figure it out over here in the US.

Originally Posted by Kit E Cat

they were famished when they came home because they were probably still doped up on pain meds, and felt pretty good. The pain meds have worn off now and they are probably feeling icky all over. I have several pet peeves, the top ones being what people feed their animals and declawing. That being said, I would rather see a cat eat nothing but Meow Mix cat for their whole lives than be declawed. I think the UK has a great law, I only wish they would figure it out over here in the US.

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It's pretty safe to say all of us dislike it, but as Siggav said, we are here to help this persons kitty and not judge, as the procedure has already been done.

When I moved into our new place and we got new furniture, I found a good solution to cat clawing was good ol' double sided tape. No harm done to cat or furniture.

But it's a little late for that. I can't believe a vet talked you into this. Most vet's I know don't even preform the surgery anymore.

But like others said, what's done is done. I know you did it out of love for your kitties and you only wanted to keep them with you.

Any updates? Are they doing better?

Originally Posted by boileauv

Not that it matters, but we tried 4 different types of scratching posts, a tree, the "nail polish" type stuff, the nail covers, clipping their nails every 2-3 days, etc..

NOTHING worked...we just bought a new home (tons of new carpet, new furniture, etc), and they were scratching at everything..

We weren't thrilled at the idea of the declaw, but having tried just about every suggested method we could find and consulting with a professional, short of getting rid of the cats, this was the only option left.

So here we are..5 days past declaw, and I am here asking for HELP and ADVICE from others because WE LOVE OUT CATS....bashing me and telling me that what we did was cruel and such isn't helpful.

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I didn't mean to attack you which is why I kept it short, and genuinly wanted to know why you went to this measure, as I can see that you have had your cats for some time. I also did try to help and advise you.

I hope they are doing better, have you checked their paws?

I do hope they are better soon. If not, you might want to call your vet and tell them what's going on. I agree they were fine when first done, cause they still had meds in their system.

Now they can only think of their feet hurting (when they didn't before). Cats who are in pain when eating or using the litter box, tend to avoid that which causes the pain; so its not surprising they don't want to eat - considering they have to put pressure on their feet to sit there.

My first cat was declawed (by my parents' insistance or I could not keep the cat) - I cried when he came home and couldn't walk down the steps to use the pan. He was one of the lucky declawed cats that it didn't affect him emotionally or physically after recovery.

I know you probably tried everything you could think of, but do hope that no matter what they do in the future (like peeing in other places or start biting more or hiding more) you will NOT take them to a shelter or rehome them. You decided to do the declaw (the cat's didn't), so you have to accept the good or bad results from the declawing.

Hope your two are feeling better now.