declaw or don't

brunette_kitty8

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I currently have 4 cats. 3 have come from other homes and wer delawed when we got them. We just recently adopted a stray kitten and are debating on whether or not to have him declawed as well. All are other cats are declawed, there are very small children in the house but he will be spending sometime outside.
 

lovemahkitties

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i say don't. for a whole host of reasons, but ESPECIALLY if he'll be spending time outdoors.

in my opinion, there is just no valid reason to mutilate a cat's feet. none.
 

claydust

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Originally Posted by lovemahkitties

i say don't. for a whole host of reasons, but ESPECIALLY if he'll be spending time outdoors.

in my opinion, there is just no valid reason to mutilate a cat's feet. none.
I'll strongly second that.
 

trillcat

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Declawing may solve the scratching problem, but result in a biting problem, litterbox issues, and a host of other problems
Please don't do this.
We are an anti declawing board. If you want to really do this to your cat, get your finger tips removed at the first joint as well.
It's mutilation, and if your cat is going to be outdoors, you have now removed it's first form of defence against predators.
I am sorry to be so harsh, but please do some research on this and know what you are going to do to your cat. It's aganst the law in many countries for a reason.
 

mystik spiral

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PLEASE don't declaw. I have witnessed the "surgery" and it is horrifying. Bless you for adopting cats who have already been declawed. Teach your children how to properly care for the cats, and to respect them, and I have no doubt everyone will be fine.

And as was already stated, if he is going to be an indoor/outdoor cat it's especially cruel as he will have no way to defend himself from the dangers he may encounter.

Please, please, do not remove his claws.
 

kscatlady

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You're not going to find anyone here condoning declawing. There is a reason it's illegal in so many countries. There's really no reason for it these days. There's this thing called soft claws, they are little vinyl caps you glue to the claw. I bet your vet or a groomer would even do it for you. Please don't declaw your kitty.
 

white cat lover

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Welcome to TCS!


Before considering declawing, please read this thread: Bea begs you to never declaw. A cat I fostered came in a stray, already declawed - with her claws growing back in. She went through a "re-declaw", which was extremely painful & debilitating. She suffers from fairly severe arthritis, among other health issues now.

Also note the forum rules -

3. This website considers declawing a drastic way to curb cat behavior. A painful ordeal for your kitty we would suggest that declawing never be considered for any behavioral issue. Health issues are entirely different. It is up to you as a responsible pet owner to explore all the different options available instead of declawing. Your cat is dependant on you to make wise choices for her, and not put her into any more stress or discomfort. Please be a responsible pet owner and research this subject thoroughly. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing here in our forums as well as on our website itself. Declaw - More than Just a Manicure. Hopefully those of you with claw-related problems will find solutions by spending time in our Behavior Forum.
All that said - I have one declawed cat, and a lot of other cats who all have their claws. They co-exist just fine. The declawed one actually is also deaf & has no teeth, too. She still rules the house with an iron paw.


No declawed cat should be allowed outdoors, as they are lacking their primary line of defense. I have seen many severely injured strays come into the shelter here declawed....they were unable to defend themselves.
 

bunnelina

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Never declaw a cat. I would be wary of declawed cats ESPECIALLY if there are small children in the house. A cat that has to bite in self-defense can inflict much worse damage than one who can scratch as a warning. I speak from experience.
 

Willowy

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Can't add anything else that wan't said already....but check out the links in my signature. It's NOT a nice thing to do to a cat, it should be illegal in the U.S. like it is in most of the world.
 

carolina

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Please please don't do this horrible, cruel, inhumane act against your kitty... It is mutilation, and he can have many problems...
We just recently had another case of a kitty suffering horrible and unnecessary pain due to infection on the TOP of the pain of surgery, here is the link of the ordeal: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...light=declawed

There is a wonderful and very easy solution for declawing called soft paws these are little nail caps you put over the claws; they last about a month, and take care of your problems... No harm done to the kitty... The package lasts a while, as you replace the claws that falls off - 4 complete applications, so at least 4 months...

I hope you do rethink this
 

nurseangel

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Originally Posted by kscatlady

You're not going to find anyone here condoning declawing. There is a reason it's illegal in so many countries. There's really no reason for it these days. There's this thing called soft claws, they are little vinyl caps you glue to the claw. I bet your vet or a groomer would even do it for you. Please don't declaw your kitty.
I concur. Thank you for posting here to ask. We are all against declawing. In a person, it would equivalent to having a part of each finger cut off. Please, please don't declaw your kitten. It leaves a cat without defenses, and IMO can make a cat mean. There is a declawed cat that lives in my vet's office and she bit the crap out of me.

I don't play with my cats by wiggling my fingers at them, etc. I do get scratched sometimes, but of my four adult cats, only Daisy scratches out of anger.
 

tigerontheprowl

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Never declaw unless it is medically necessary. It's an incredibly torturous procedure that I think should be completely abolished and illegal everywhere. No cat should ever have to go through that just to keep them from scratching.
 

trillcat

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I hope we have not scared you off here, I also am glad you asked about this.
A lot of people think declawing is an easy deal, just like cutting the nails, but the reality of it is quite different. I thought the same until I researched it and found out what it really is. It's just a matter of education on the procedure, so I hope we have not made you feel unwelcome.
 

ruby35

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Absolutely agree with the others. The answer is NO! NO way!

Read this and pay attention to the pictures: http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm

Don't do it unless you don't give a crap about causing your cat completely unnecessary pain.

I'm glad you asked, don't feel bad about asking the question. Just understand that if you do it, it will be hard to find anyone here that will support your decision.
 

otto

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Originally Posted by Trillcat

Declawing may solve the scratching problem, but result in a biting problem, litterbox issues, and a host of other problems
Please don't do this.
We are an anti declawing board. If you want to really do this to your cat, get your finger tips removed at the first joint as well.
It's mutilation, and if your cat is going to be outdoors, you have now removed it's first form of defence against predators.
I am sorry to be so harsh, but please do some research on this and know what you are going to do to your cat. It's aganst the law in many countries for a reason.
Actually it's their heels and toes that should be removed, that would be the equivalent in a human.

to the op

please look at these links, this will show you what those other declawed cats went through.

(warning, graphic)

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html

Please, don't do it.

Declawing of cats is outlawed in 26 countries around the world, and 7 cities, so far, in the USA. I pray it becomes nationwide here, soon.

http://www.declawing.com/htmls/outlawed.htm
 

otto

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PS the kitten can be trained to not scratch the children, (and we can help you with that) but be sure to also train the children to treat the kitten (and all the cats) with respect and kindness.
 

trillcat

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It has been my experience that a cat will hiss first, as a warning, and then hold up a paw, again a warning, then if you have ignored all warning signs will then scratch you (would you touch a rattling rattle snake, a taratula reared up, heck no! Respect the hissing cat!)
Children learn this faster than us adults I think, they get the animal will bite, scratch them if they pull the tail, grab the ears, and so on.
Im not sure where I was going with this, carry on with the thread.
 

mystik spiral

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Originally Posted by otto

please look at these links, this will show you what those other declawed cats went through.

(warning, graphic)

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html
Oh, I have seen that site before and I HATE it so much because that cat looks so much like my Holland...

One thing I have learned from my cat is that they are very good at giving signs when they don't want to be petted, picked up, or held. As someone else mentioned, kids are good at picking up on those signs. It will benefit ANY child to learn how to treat an animal.

And, as others have said, I hope we haven't scared you off!! This is a great community with a lot of people who have a lot of good advice on owning a cat. Welcome, and please stick around!!!
 
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