I have a 5 month old polydactyl kitten named Brutus, he is an absolute sweetheart. We rescued him from a shelter and the first month we had him was quite rough because he was so anxious, scared and skittish. Now he is completely attached to our 7 month old cat Millie and my fiance & I. He needs declawed because he is scratching up everything, us included... I'm worried he will freak out when he goes there for his visit and being there 2 nights without us... I don't want him to regress back to his behavior in the beginning... any tips or pointers on what we should do? I don't want my sweet baby boy!
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Advice on declaw
- Thread starter acsny
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De-clawing is illegal in most of the world for a reason. . .please do some research before you decide to do such a thing. The links in my signature are a very good start 
. I'll find some more links too.
. I'll find some more links too.
Be VERY careful to do your research before considering declawing!
This can be a major personality changer since you would be taking away his security and defenses.
Often times a declawed cat will become hostile, some become biters, some stop using their litterboxes.
Not to mention what trauma you will be putting him through.
I highly discourage getting this done, and focus on getting plenty of scratching posts and climbers that he CAN scratch on.
This can be a major personality changer since you would be taking away his security and defenses.
Often times a declawed cat will become hostile, some become biters, some stop using their litterboxes.
Not to mention what trauma you will be putting him through.
I highly discourage getting this done, and focus on getting plenty of scratching posts and climbers that he CAN scratch on.
Mine became a biter and he attacks other cats, it was done for my aged father's benefit, who was being attacked by claws
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My advice on declawing?
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The reason that often declawed cats become biters is their feeling of being completely defenseless and insecure, which is understandable from a cat's perspective, as they have natural instincts for protecting themselves, take that away and their entire disposition can change.
Just as cats are masters at hiding pain, silently.
This is to not become prey to predators as an easy catch because of weakness.
I am not for declawing, in his case it was that or get rid of him, he was feral and I had no choice. No one would have adopted him.
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Have you looked into cat nail scissors? they sell for a few dollars, and you just snip the very ends off, so they still have claws but it is a bit less painful.
Also, some cats will hear you go OW! and feel bad eventually as they begin to recognize they are hurting you. As a teenager my cat began all on his own to never extend claws into me (did on sofa though) even if it meant he fell when jumping off me and hurting himself. Pretty cool huh?
The reason many people today discourage removing the claws is that it is not just the nails removed, it is the digits, fingers if you will. So if the paw was a human hand, it would not be the nailbed removed but most of the fingers at the digits, leaving stubs. If you noticed your cats will use claws for things like pulling up food to their mouth, or grabbing a ball. This will end. That is part of why some cats seem traumatized.
So my suggestion, take it or leave it, is to get a good pair of cat nail scissors first. Pet the cat, get them purring, and then just pet the paw, then carefully and smiling at them cut off just the very tip. If they pull away the paw, just let them, and keep playing hugging loving them, then try again. For me, that seems to work far better than insisting they stay still and cut them all at once. I read that tip online, and it really seems to make nail clipping time, just play time. And cat will play with the scissors and bite it for fun too.
Another question/suggestion is, do you have designated places for scratching? I have read that if you put catnip on a scratching pole that will make them want to use it. What ways have you used to try to train the cat to not claw so much furniture, and you?
David
Regular nail clippers with just fine for trimming claws, too. With the more docile cats I've had, if I catch them when they're sleepy I can usually just roll them on my back, keep them in place with my knees, and trim away. If they get wiggly, I just distract then with a couple of treats.
I have had cats that won't let you get anywhere near their feet. In that case, you can get their claws trimmed at the vet or groomer, or even at some shelters.
Nail caps are a good option, too. Some cats can get them off, but it's worth a shot.
With the more docile cats I've had, if I catch them when they're sleepy I can usually just roll them on my back, keep them in place with my knees, and trim away. If they get wiggly, I just distract then with a couple of treats.I have had cats that won't let you get anywhere near their feet. In that case, you can get their claws trimmed at the vet or groomer, or even at some shelters.
Nail caps are a good option, too. Some cats can get them off, but it's worth a shot.
I agree 100% with what others have said, please don't declaw your cat!
You can mitigate the problem by regularly trimming his claws. There are great Youtube videos that show you how to do that, in detail. You can also get soft caps for your cat's claws that prevent him from scratching anything.
If you declaw, you are permanently disfiguring your pet just for the sake of your furniture. That can definitely change his attitude for the worse, and it will change his life for the worse too.
You can mitigate the problem by regularly trimming his claws. There are great Youtube videos that show you how to do that, in detail. You can also get soft caps for your cat's claws that prevent him from scratching anything.
If you declaw, you are permanently disfiguring your pet just for the sake of your furniture. That can definitely change his attitude for the worse, and it will change his life for the worse too.
