Declawing Cats

[Planogirl]

I do not declaw my cats except for one where we did try everything we could before resorting to this. He destroyed furniture and walls and no amount of training or other methods worked. I hated that we had this surgery done in spite of his destructive tendencies because I saw the pain that he was in afterward.

Our other cats sharpen their claws only where they're supposed to luckily but only because they responded well to training.

 

[TracyQ]

I have a cat (with claws) and work for a humane society. I have been fortunate that I have always been able to train my cat with a spray bottle and saying no, but I know other people aren't as lucky or have no choice (apartment regulations.) There are so many unwanted cats that I would rather see a cat be declawed if it means it will have a lifelong home than miss out on any chance for adoption.

 

[Ted and Holly]

Like I said! I don't want a debate. I just wanted to hear experiences of people who do and do not declaw their cats. I love my cats. My cats are my "kids" as I do not have any. They are the most spoiled babies anyone could have.

But, my 3 year old couch is shredded. There is wood showing. We have to replace our screens every year. We just had to replace our high backed computer desk chair, as there was nothing left to the material on the back. The underside of our mattress is GONE! We've tried water, yelling, sticky tape, etc. But two of my babies just don't want to use one of the many scratching posts available! I have never thought of declawing until now....

We would NEVER get rid of our cats just for an apartment we will live in for less than a year! We would choose some other place to live. However, with the current behavior of my "angels" and knowing just how MANY apartments require it, I was exploring my options.

Thanks for the links and advice and experiences! I appreciate those of you who answered my question!

Holly

 

[Gail T AGAIN]

My cat is declawed, I didn't have any question in my mind when I did it. She is fine now, I had it done at about 2 or 3 months. Do mothers question when they are going to ircumsise (sp) their sons, No we just do what has to be done. if you are leaving your cat as an indoor cat I recomend (sp it highly. Damn, i cant spell, guess my mom had my brain fixed at birth hahahhahahahhahahahha

 

[shelle94]

Holly,

Look into SoftPaws and ask potential landlords if they would accept that as an option. SoftPaws are little caps that are glued onto the cat's nails. They prevent them from scratching. They do fall off every few months I believe, but can be replaced easily. Hope this helps.

Michelle

 

[Ted and Holly]

Thanks Michelle!

Where would I find Soft Paws?

 

[lisajl]

HI..
I agree with Kim in TN. I work for a vet also. It is not the best surgery, but a lot of people have it done. Our doctors only use laser sugery on the paws. Let me tell you, it is soooo nice.
Less bleeding, less pain. Yes, it is still surgery and still painful, but it is not as bad as regular declawing.

Also, one more thing. If you choose to declaw only take out the front. I can't tell you how many people want all four claws taken out. Our answer is almost always NO!
People always say, "Our cats never go outside". I have one cat that is an escape artist. We always catch her before she gets very far, but she still tries to run. We built her an area outside so she can eat the grass and watch the birds.

I have three cats, none declawed, all spayed.

To the person that thought Neutering and spaying is unnatural and painful may I suggest you adopt all the unwanted animals from these litters.

By the way, I had my tubes tied, does that mean I have something wrong with me?

Lisajl

 

[helenabear]

Holly, you can find softpaws at most pet stores (at least around here). If you can get your cats claws clipped then you probably will be able to get these on your cat (we weren't with our baby which lead to declawing since we couldn't clip her claws as I said before). My SIL used them on her cat though and Tasha was very good at pretty much tearing them off right away A friend of mine has used them though and has had great luck with them. They are definitely worth a try in my eyes. Good luck with those if you try them!

 

[Ted and Holly]

Thanks Helenabear! We may just have to try them out.

Lisajl, Do you know offhand how much the lasar procedure costs? I'd have to mulitply it by 4.

You brought up a good point about being "escape artists" I have one like that! Last time we were at WDW in July, he pushed out a screen and spent the night outside until my catsitter could find him!!! Our cats NEVER go out, so he didn't know his way! That's a whole other issue though!

 

[goofy4tink]

You can get the Soft Paws at your vet. Or thru one of the pet shop catalogues. My vet suggested them too when I got a new cat. My vet will not declaw except under special circumstances, such as the owner has Aids, there is a clotting problem or hemophelila. I guess I don't understand what landlords have against cats claws....I have 2 cats and there is no damage to the house itself. Now, I do have an old sofa in the basement that the cats are allowed to claw. My dd and her roommate have 4 cats and the only damage to the apt. is the rug right at my dd's bedroom door. She locked the cats out of her bedroom and they went nutty trying to get in!!! Now, there's that awful cat pee smell in apts. Or the people that don't clean up after 'accidents' on the rug. But I guess we can't take out the animal's bladder, can we?? We just get the cat in the habit of having it's nails clipped every month. Now I just hold and clip. One of them even seems to think he's getting a love!!!

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I was just skimming this thread and I was so glad to see someone brought up Soft Paws. I had seen them but didn't know what they were called. All three of my remaining cats have their claws. I have a big log from outside down in the basement for them to stratch away at. So far they have left everything upstairs alone. I'm glad I'm not in a position of having to make a decision to declaw.

 

[Kim in TN]

I also mentioned the softpaws, they do work for some people, but for others, the cat chewed them until the nails were exposed but for others, they worked well and they come in clear and colors. You can also get them for dogs.

OP good luck with your decision

 

[rbuzzotta]

Both my cats are declawed. My vet actually recommended declawing my first cat because of where we lived. The vet was afraid of the wildlife (coyote, deer, wild turkeys) in the woods behind our home. She has remained an indoor cat all her life (9 years). Our second cat (now 2) was declawed when he was "fixed" (a requirement for adoption). It was recommended by the vet because her analogy was something like you give one person a gun without any bullets and another fully loaded!!!

both cats are wonderful, playful and happily adjusted in our family!!

We love them!!!

 

[Mish19]

I've never known a vet to recommend declawing. I haven't read the whole thread because I am very much against declawing guess I will have to skim a bit.
I am confused about recommending declawing due to wildlife. If for some terrible reason your indoor cat got out how would he/she defend themselves??

I have two cats and they both have their claws. We have many scratching posts and keep their nails clipped. I've also heard about softpaws and know people who have had success.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

My parents have always had cats, up to 4 at a time (they now have 3)--I used to have two but only have one left, she is almost 16 years old! We have always had the front claws only taken out. I am more against outdoor cats than anything, and my cat does not go out ever, which is probably why she is almost 16! I've never seen any cats of any family members suffer any ill effects from it.
Robin M.

 

[nydizfan]

my cat is also 16! and my other cat is 14! and my other cat is 4! and quess what??? all go outside..and quess what??? they all survive . and they should go outside . but to each is own. I would never keep my girls inside . thats just nuts... but ohh well...dave

 

[lisajl]

nydizfan,

You, my friend, are extremely lucky. Most of the people that let their cats out, don't have cats for long.

I work for a vet and we see it all. The biggest ones are fight wounds. Big abcesses that people don't notice because....IT'S AN OUTSIDE CAT...HOW WAS I SUPPOSE TO KNOW?

If you have never had a problem good for you.

Oh yes, the other problem we have been seeing, cats with Feline Infectious Peritinitis (sorry about the spelling), it's hard enough to say.
A client has several barn cats, guess what? About 1/3 of them had to be put down because of that disease.
It is very sad.

Happy you don't have a problem and that your cats are well.
My cats...staying indoors.

Lisajl

 

[rbuzzotta]

I take EVERY PRECAUTION to make sure my lovely de-clawed (front paws only) cats DO NOT get outside!! So doesn't everyone in the family.

Yes, the vet DID recommend de-clawing, sorry if you never heard of it. This was my first cat and I had Lots of questions (like a first time mom) and the vet answered them all!!

I take EVERY PRECAUTIOn with my children outside when I hear of coyote sightings!!!

I don't think any domesticated cat is a match for a coyote. A neighbor of mine was missing her cat (she was 12 years old, very healthy and fully clawed)........she believes it was a coyote that got her!!