Declawing

Does anyone think that declawing is cruelty? I have one that is, and am thinking of getting another kitten, but am not sure what to do about her claws. I have very expensive furniture and would just be sick if she tore it up, but I can't stand being cruel if it hurts that much. Help me please!

I've assisted in many many declawing surgeries and the more I see it the more I wish people knew what exsactly happens to their cat when they drop him off to be declawed.

I would rather see a cat be declawed rather than be dumped off at a shelter(where he could be euthanized) because he was clawing the furniture but at the same time most people do not look into the alternatives. I think if they took the time to train the cat to using a few different scratching pads most declaws would be avoided. There's also a product called soft paws that is sold at pet shops and it's basically plasic caps that are glued onto the cat's nails. I've never used it on my cats but a few people I know like them.

I have 4 indoor only cats and I regularly trim their nails and have a couple scratch pads around for them. Yes I will catch one of them occationally scratching the sofa but it's not often.

The cats who go through this surgery are in ALOT of pain once they wake up from anesthesia and often times are aggressive(when they wake up). Generally no pain medication is given after the fact but just recently the clinic I work at will give an injection of Torb the day after. There is no other way to describe how their paws look after this surgery other than RAW.

There's also a link a couple of the members have posted that shows pictures of a cat being declawed. I don't have the link but I'm sure it will pop up.

If you decide to adopt a kitten and you run into scratching problems please excercise all the other options because it's not a "simple" procedure. If possible have you considered adopting an adult cat from a shelter who has already been declawed? You would be giving a cat a good home and not subjecting another to being declawed.

Here's a link on the subject. Cats without claws

My personal opinion is that declawing is a cruel thing to do to a cat. But I will stop there and just leave this link from another forum here.

Declawing

I hope the reader goes to the trouble to read all the information presented on the topic. I also hope NO ONE flames anyone on this thread and causes it to be locked up, because then it goes from an educational moment to a fighting moment and that would be a shame.

I have had cats most of my adult life and have had only one piece of furniture scratched up. It was given to me and I found out later that the previous owner's cat had slept in it. I put it in the guest room and let them have it. They leave everything else alone. They also have their own rug that they are allowed to scratch. These are in adition to their toys and cat tree/scratching post. I spray their items with catnip spray, and things that they are not allowed to scratch with a product made to discourage scratching. I started teaching them immediately upon bringing them home what was theirs. Please do the research before you declaw. I am not trying to be nasty to you, I just want you to have a happy, healthy kitty. I think adopting an already declawed kitty would be a good option for you if think you must have a declawed kitty. Good luck to you and your kitties!

When I got my babies, the vet recommended getting Trent declawed when he was neutered. He didn't tell me what was involved, so we did it (in case you don't know, they have to amputate the first knuckle. My vet said all they do is "remove the nail bed" which is inaccurate to say the least). We almost lost my poor baby because he hurt too much to come out and drink. His paws got infected, he was very dehydrated, and thoroughly miserable. The vet kept him overnight to rehydrate and give antibiotics. Even with this I truly believe that the only thing that saved him was one day I stayed home and forced him out of hiding to drink water at least once an hour. He was obviously in pain, didn't want to walk to do anything, wouldn't even move to eat or drink.

I am lucky - he has adjusted very well. He doesn't have litterbox issues, and he isn't aggressive. I still have to watch for arthritis when he gets older since declawing forces unnatural walking posture, and doesn't allow him to stretch all those back muscles like he should.

I have another kitty who is not declawed. Ophelia is very good with her claws because we took the time with her to train her what she can and cannot scratch. She has their cat tree and those corrugated cardboard box Cat Scratcher things to sharpen her claws on. Most cats can be trained, especially if they don't get in the habit to begin with.

Sorry this is so long, I just wanted to share my experience. Please educate yourself with everything that declawing involves before you make your decision. There is a lot about the procedure that most vets won't tell you. There is a declawing sticky at the top of the Health & Nutrition forum with links that show what is involved in the procedure.

Hi everyone. krazykat2, you wrote

They also have their own rug that they are allowed to scratch. These are in adition to their toys and cat tree/scratching post. I spray their items with catnip spray, and things that they are not allowed to scratch with a product made to discourage scratching.

Would you please identify this product by name? Only if you're comfortable of course, I know this isn't a commercial website. Smart and humane strategy--Good going

Just reminding everyone that it's more than okay to email me directly whenever you see any post of mine in any area of TCS. Thanks

There are several, the one I have used is called NO SCRATCH, made by a company called pet organics. I think I got it at Petsmart. I haven't had to buy any in awhile. I am so glad to hear you are considering this alternative. It has worked well for me.

Thanks krazy. Gee I love coming to TCS!!! Everyone here is genuinely nice!

You might also consider using Soft Paws. I have used them with great success and swear by them. Of course the kitty has to allow you to put them on, but they are a great alternative. Many vets will also put them on your kitty for you. Here is a link to the Soft Paws site and one for Drs. Foster and Smith. I order mine from Foster and Smith and in fact, I just ordered more today.


Drs.Foster and Smith
Just click on the blue kitty toes.

Soft Paws

Hope this helps.

Our 3 bengals have their claws, and we spent quite a bit of money on our leather furniture. They have never touched the furniture... they use their scratching posts.

Tigger2, what age will the kitten be? I'm sure if he/she is at a young age, you could teach it to use a scratching post. We have 2 other cats who are declawed, and if I could take it back, I would never have gotten their claws removed. We did for the same reason that you are considering .....

I have no idea what Ivo's background was, because she was a stray, but I have had no problems with her scratching the wrong things. She tried on my couch once, and when I "ah ah ah"ed at her, she stopped and hasn't done it again. I got her a scratching post, but she doesn't use it, because I think its too short. She loves scratching on her kitty condo, though, because she can strech up high and really get a good stretch in.

If I get another one, it will be small, very small. And if Tigger doesn't eat it, I will try any methods to keep it from tearing up my furniture. Now if I could just figure out a way to keep the hair off. The cat sheds almost as much as I do! Sucks to go to work and then realize I should have shaved my butt!

Christy's right. Those little dinky scratching posts are about worthless for anything other than the smallest of kittens. Mine love to stretch out and scratch the cat tree I recently got them. I also have a friend who bought one of these strange looking things from Wal-Mart. It looks like rows and rows of corregated box inside an open box. They're cheap, and her cat loves to scratch on that.

Those things from Wal-Mart are what I have for Ophelia. She loves them!! They last maybe 2 months, with 2 in the house, but for $5 each I can't complain. They now have a double-wide version I keep thinking about getting for her. Maybe it would last longer.