Question about declawing

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.

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.

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

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

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

Yeah the 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.

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.

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.

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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

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

Michele

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!

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.

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.

Thanks for the input. I have never clipped a cats nails but I will give it a try. I will not be declawing for sure. My hubby agrees with that .That website made him sick too.I do have a scratch post but I am going to get more. Also I have not ever seen this thing called sticky paws. What is it?

Elinor:

You can buy a pet nail trimmer for about $5 at Wal-Mart or somewhere similar. If you start when the cat is young, it will be no problem to trim his nails regularly. When you hold him and extend the nail, you can see the little vein that runs inside it. Just don't trim so low that you cut the vein. It's easy!

Deb thanks I will get one and try it.

Sticky Paws is double-sided tape! Just put double-sided tape wherever you see your cat scratching and the cat will avoid that spot from that time on! At the same time make sure that there are plenty of scratching posts available. It won't take long for the cat to learn to use the post rather than the furniture! Also, I have found that the sisal-rope scratching posts are better than the carpeted posts (especially since the carpeted posts teach the cat that it is okay to scratch carpet!). Once the cat is regularly using the scratching posts then remove the double-sided tape from your furniture a little at a time -- don't remove it all at once because that might make it too tempting to scratch again!

Bravo to you for decising not to declaw!

Originally posted by Elinor
Thanks for the input. I have never clipped a cats nails but I will give it a try. I will not be declawing for sure. My hubby agrees with that .That website made him sick too.I do have a scratch post but I am going to get more. Also I have not ever seen this thing called sticky paws. What is it?

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Sticky paws are like covers for the claws; you glue them on and they last several weeks. I have seen them in the cat magazines but don't know if they are available at places like PetSmart or not. For clipping nails, we have used regular nail clippers like we would use. Take the cats paw, press on one of the pads and a nail should extend. The vein area is obvious as you will see; the nail is opaque up to a point and then you will see a pink area closer to the cat's pad. Don't get overambitious in your clipping; taking a 1/4 inch off and eliminating the point will do for a start. As you become more comfortable you will see how relatively easy it is. If by mistake you clip too close and nip the vein you can use a styptic pencil or baking soda to stop the blood. Of course, the next time you go to clip nails you will probably find your cat to not be too receptive to the process!!!
A word of advice: have your husband hold the cat but not too tight. You don't want the cat to feel confined or restricted. Talk to it, reassure it and don't be nervous. If possible, for a couple of weeks prior to clipping nails rub the pads of your cat's feet when you can to get it used to the sensation. You know, one or two pads today, another later. Don't be pushy about it or try to MAKE them stay still for it or you will defeat the purpose of the exercise. This is a good idea to do on a regular basis for just this reason. Cats are not overly fond of having their feet played with so you need to teach them so they don't go ballistic when clipping time arrives. We have cats whose nails I can clip while they lay on my lap with no other assistance because we have worked with them to get them accustomed to the process. Of course, there are others we need Divine Intervention to clip their nails but they are the first cats we had that weren't taught from the start. Hope this helps.

Pete

I think the things you put on the cat's claws are called soft paws...sticky paws is double-sided tape you put directly on the furniture. You can see their web site here

http://www.stickypaws.com/html/home/index.html

(Plain old double sided tape is cheaper and you can get it at your neighborhood discount store rather than making a trip to a pet supply store.)

Originally posted by lotsocats
I think the things you put on the cat's claws are called soft paws...sticky paws is double-sided tape you put directly on the furniture. You can see their web site here

http://www.stickypaws.com/html/home/index.html

(Plain old double sided tape is cheaper and you can get it at your neighborhood discount store rather than making a trip to a pet supply store.)

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I stand corrected. LOL Pete

You guys are so great. Thanks for all your help and advice. There are so many new products out there now its incredible. Thanks for letting me know about them. Its been some time since I had cats. Thanks