Did you declaw your cat?

[proud_canadian]

We just got a kitten and everyone keeps asking us "when will you declaw him". I looked it up and apparently it is illegal in some countries and considered animal cruelty as they do have to remove some bone in the toes to do it.

We had him at the vet for a checkup and he too asked us if we wanted to do it. He said it is painful though he will do it if we want.

For now we have bought the soft claws nail clips as he really is scratching at our couch a lot even though we have a scratching post. He didn't mind us putting the claw clips on and actually fell asleep as we did it. Now the question remains, will they stay on or not! If that works though we'd like to just use those instead as we don't want to cause him the pain if we can avoid it.

Are we crazy for considering not declawing him??

 

[BonnieA]

I would never declaw a cat. It is very painful for them. How would you like your fingernails ripped out? Don't do it.

 

[dizluvah]

Absolutely not. In my opinion that is animal cruelty.

 

[babyrich]

We just got a kitten and everyone keeps asking us "when will you declaw him". I looked it up and apparently it is illegal in some countries and considered animal cruelty as they do have to remove some bone in the toes to do it.

We had him at the vet for a checkup and he too asked us if we wanted to do it. He said it is painful though he will do it if we want.

For now we have bought the soft claws nail clips as he really is scratching at our couch a lot even though we have a scratching post. He didn't mind us putting the claw clips on and actually fell asleep as we did it. Now the question remains, will they stay on or not! If that works though we'd like to just use those instead as we don't want to cause him the pain if we can avoid it.

Are we crazy for considering not declawing him??

I would never declaw a cat. I do feel it is cruel; but if its a choice of keeping or getting rid of the cat, than I can see why you would choose to declaw.

One of my cats destroyed our couch and love seat, we just deal with it. The furniture was nothing too fancy anyway.

You may want to try rubbing cat nip on the scratching post so the kitten finds it more attractive to use. They also have sprays you can use on the couch that are supposed to deter them. It didnt work for us but its worth trying.

Hopefully the covers with stay on the claws... good luck

 

[AlwaysMoving]

We declawed 35 years ago and the last one was declawed 15 years ago. Since there is more education about the procedure, we no longer declaw. We don't have a problem with our cats destroying furniture or framework in the house and we keep the claws clipped short. We also provide scratching posts. Other than an occassional slap in the face (our fault for getting too close) when rough playing with them, it really is no different than having a declawed cat.

 

[dngnb8]

I would never take away their only defense system.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We had our cat declawed. They don't just grab the cat and rip out the claws they get put under anesthesia and surgically remove them. They stay at the clinic overnight then come home the next day with pain medication.

Our cat acted like nothing happened when we picked her up. Heck my DSis just had her two kittens done on Wednesday. Thursday they were running around my house like nothing was different and Saturday morning they left for an rv roadtrip to the Grand Canyon.

Our cats are indoor cats. They don't go outside.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

We just got a kitten and everyone keeps asking us "when will you declaw him". I looked it up and apparently it is illegal in some countries and considered animal cruelty as they do have to remove some bone in the toes to do it.

We had him at the vet for a checkup and he too asked us if we wanted to do it. He said it is painful though he will do it if we want.

For now we have bought the soft claws nail clips as he really is scratching at our couch a lot even though we have a scratching post. He didn't mind us putting the claw clips on and actually fell asleep as we did it. Now the question remains, will they stay on or not! If that works though we'd like to just use those instead as we don't want to cause him the pain if we can avoid it.

Are we crazy for considering not declawing him??

I don't think you're crazy at all.

My current furr baby came from my ex who adopted him from a kitty rescue organization. Bear was just a kitten when he and his feral mom were rescued. The rescue place doesn't adopt cats out unless you sign something that first describes the declawing process and then states that you promise to never do this to your new kitty.

Well, Bear was exactly one year old when he came to live with me and DS. I never even considered (especially after reading that paperwork) getting him declawed. I've just made sure that his nails are clipped regularly. We have the process down to less than three minutes - DS holds & pets kitty while I clip. Bear stays relaxed and usually purrs the entire time and then he gets special treats when we're done. We also have a huge kitty tower covered in carpeting that he just LOVES to scratch on. When he first came to live with us, I kept little squirt bottles around the house. He's a quick study and now when he starts in on something he shouldn't, I just have to pick a bottle up and he's gone!

 

[momto2inKC]

I would never do it. It's just awful, IMO It's more than just surgically removing the claws. It's basically like if you were to have your fingers removed from the knuckle closest to your nails and up (and i'm not being dramatic lol look it up).
The covers you can put on their claws work extremely well and normally don't just fall off easily.

 

[Coconut36]

We had our cat declawed. They don't just grab the cat and rip out the claws they get put under anesthesia and surgically remove them. They stay at the clinic overnight then come home the next day with pain medication.

Our cat acted like nothing happened when we picked her up. Heck my DSis just had her two kittens done on Wednesday. Thursday they were running around my house like nothing was different and Saturday morning they left for an rv roadtrip to the Grand Canyon.

Our cats are indoor cats. They don't go outside.

It is comparable to cutting off a human finger at the top knuckle . It goes beyond just taking the "nail" out.

I was uneducated and unaware and had my first cat declawed almost 20 years ago. I will NEVER EVER do that again. It is animal cruelty.

Vets are going to ask/offer because they make money off the procedure. Do some research into what it entails physically for the cat and you will hopefully not consider it as an option.

If your kitty is very young the easiest and best thing you can do for them is to start clipping their nails NOW. Make it a regular thing and they will likely adapt to it very young and it will not be an issue to do it on a regular basis and their nails will not be so sharp/destructive. Soft paws work well but the clipping is a good practice if you have a young kitten.

The procedure is illegal and considered animal cruelty in many countries.

You are not crazy for not considering it. I didn't and will not do it again. When we decided to get another cat I went into it knowing that cats have claws..that means furniture and other surfaces could be scratched or people/kids could get a swipe. If one is not prepared to deal with that they should not have a cat.

 

[Amelia Peabody]

Not going to read the other posts and not going to judge anyone, just want to answer your question.

I have 2 cats right now, neither declawed. When they were kittens, I got them used to me holding them and playing with their toes. Then I took a nail clipper and just took off the "needle sharp" part. Sometimes one claw a day. When they seemed comfortable, I starting clipping more - you can see where to clip. Each time is rewarded with cuddles and praise.

Now - one cat is naughty and tries for the furniture. The other wouldn't be caught dead with furniture, he likes the cardboard boxes for scratching. I put catnip in it.

Good luck!

 

[cornflake]

I think it's bizarre you know people who are asking you that. I realize some people still do it, but in my experience it's rare.

As above, it's not pulling out claws, which would be bad enough in itself, it's amputations. It's barbaric.

Softpaws work fine. Remember, they have to be reapplied as the nails grow out over time, that's why they come in multiple packs. Even if a cat doesn't like them (and if you started with them when in kittenhood and your cat didn't even notice, you're probably golden - remember playing with and handling paws and claws is one of those things you want to get every kitten used to, like brushing, so you can if they need it, so they don't mind when you do it to clip their nails or apply softpaws), some cats don't scratch up the furniture at all, and some that want to can easily be trained not to (double sided tape on things not to be scratched + appropriate scratching items).

It's not something I'd ever consider. It's like removing a dog's voice box so their barking doesn't annoy you (people do this too). It's barbaric and wrong, imo. Also, as someone else pointed out, it's their defense mechanism. Even if you intend to keep your cat indoors always, sometimes a cat will slip out.

 

[Mokat76]

Never! I think it's cruel. I'm willing to put up with damaged furniture and/or a few scratches. I'd like to say it's an acceptable trade-off for their unconditional love, but hey, these are cats I'm talking about. They are glad to see me, some of them cuddle, but unconditional love? Probably not. Doesn't matter. I have a dog for that. Regardless, my kitties are fun to have around and I do love them unconditionally (OK, except for the hairball hacking up thing). Let your kitty keeps its claws.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

It is comparable to cutting off a human finger at the top knuckle . It goes beyond just taking the "nail" out.

I was uneducated and unaware and had my first cat declawed almost 20 years ago. I will NEVER EVER do that again. It is animal cruelty.

Vets are going to ask/offer because they make money off the procedure. Do some research into what it entails physically for the cat and you will hopefully not consider it as an option.

If your kitty is very young the easiest and best thing you can do for them is to start clipping their nails NOW. Make it a regular thing and they will likely adapt to it very young and it will not be an issue to do it on a regular basis and their nails will not be so sharp/destructive. Soft paws work well but the clipping is a good practice if you have a young kitten.

The procedure is illegal and considered animal cruelty in many countries.

You are not crazy for not considering it. I didn't and will not do it again. When we decided to get another cat I went into it knowing that cats have claws..that means furniture and other surfaces could be scratched or people/kids could get a swipe. If one is not prepared to deal with that they should not have a cat.

My first cat was declawed before I met him. He belonged to my step-dad when he met my mom. He passed away in my arms at the ripe old age of 19.

This cat that I chose to declaw is now 13 years old. My vet never once asked me about declawing. I asked him.

And for you to say someone is uneducated because they chose to have the procedure done is rude. I was well aware what the procedure entailed and chose to have my cat undergo it.

She is no different now than she was before. Her demeanor never changed. Same goes for Tiger who passed at 19.

Your opinion may be that it is animal cruelty but it doesn't make it a fact. I'm sure if my cat could talk she wouldn't tell you that we're cruel to her. In fact she may be surprised to hear she's a cat since she thinks she's human.

To say that people shouldn't own a cat if they're even going to consider declawing is wrong. Many cats would miss out on truly loving homes if that were the case.

 

[Coconut36]

My first cat was declawed before I met him. He belonged to my step-dad when he met my mom. He passed away in my arms at the ripe old age of 19.

This cat that I chose to declaw is now 13 years old. My vet never once asked me about declawing. I asked him.

And for you to say someone is uneducated because they chose to have the procedure done is rude. I was well aware what the procedure entailed and chose to have my cat undergo it.

She is no different now than she was before. Her demeanor never changed. Same goes for Tiger who passed at 19.

Your opinion may be that it is animal cruelty but it doesn't make it a fact. I'm sure if my cat could talk she wouldn't tell you that we're cruel to her. In fact she may be surprised to hear she's a cat since she thinks she's human.

To say that people shouldn't own a cat if they're even going to consider declawing is wrong. Many cats would miss out on truly loving homes if that were the case.

You need to read my post..I said I was uneducated when I had my cat done 20 years ago.

Tell the other countries that deem it animal cruelty that it isn't fact..I am sure they would be glad to know you know more than they do

I stand very firm and strong that declawing is cruel and it is amputation (that is fact..look it up). I also stand firm that if one can not tolerate claws one should not have a cat. I don't need lectures on cats and homes...I have spent countless hours as a shelter volunteer and I can tell you the no kills I work with will NOT adopt out to anyone that indicates they would even consider declawing. They immediately show them the door.

FYI:

Onychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to surgically remove an animal's claws by means of the amputation of all or part of the distal phalanges, or end bones, of the animal's toes

Australia

In Australia, declawing has never been common, and for all practical purpose, does not exist. Nationwide legislation was recently enacted that prohibits the declawing of cats except for medical need of the cat. The Australian Veterinary Association's policy states: "Surgical alteration to the natural state of an animal is acceptable only if it is necessary for the health and welfare of the animal concerned. Performance of any surgical procedure for other than legitimate medical reasons is unacceptable."
Brazil

In Brazil, declawing is not allowed by the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine

Israel

In Israel, The Knesset Education Committee voted unanimously to send a bill banning the declawing of cats. The bill has passed second and third readings on November 28th 2011, effectively making declawing a criminal offense

Europe

In many European countries the practice is forbidden either under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals or under Local Animal Abuse Laws, unless there it is for "veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of any particular animal." Some European countries go further, such as Finland, Estonia, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, where declawing cats for non-medical reasons is always illegal under their laws against cruelty to animals.

Austria
In Austria, the Federal Act on the Protection of Animals, in Section 7, states, surgical procedures "carried out for other than therapeutic or diagnostic purposes...are prohibited, in particular...declawing."

United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, declawing was outlawed by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which explicitly prohibited "interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of the animal, otherwise than for the purposes of its medical treatment". Even before the 2006 Act, however, declawing was extremely uncommon, to the extent that most people had never seen a declawed cat. The procedure was considered cruel by almost all British vets, who refused to perform it except on medical grounds. The Guide to Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons stated that declawing was "only acceptable where, in the opinion of the veterinary surgeon, injury to the animal is likely to occur during normal activity. It is not acceptable if carried out for the convenience of the owner ... the removal of claws, particularly those which are weight bearing, to preclude damage to furnishings is not acceptable."

I guess you know more than the law makers, vets and experts in these countries..declawing is in fact deemed animal cruelty...that is fact. Just because the US isn't there yet doesn't mean it is OK or not cruel (and it was outlawed in part of CA)

In 2009, seven other California cities, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Berkeley, Burbank, and Culver City, passed ordinances banning declawing on the basis of animal cruelty.

I guess you also know more than The Humane Society of the United States that also advocates to ban it and considers it animal cruelty as well. What I state is more than just my personal opinion and is backed by reputable organizations and several countries as fact. It is controversial in the Vet community as well with vets that will not perform the procedure because they feel it is cruel and disfiguring.

 

[gert]

I don't have my cats declawed. Aside from the procedure itself, if something were to ever happen to us and the cats would need to be re-homed, it would be much easier for them to be moved into a house with other cats if they have something to defend themselves with.

My sister had her daughter's cat declawed and when she moved in with her husband (who is highly allergic), she went through an awful time trying to find a new home for it. Neither my mom nor I could take it because it had been declawed.

 

[eeyoremum]

I have always had our cats declawed. The last one we have was done in October. I wasn't going to have him done but after discussing it with my vet who told me not to read all the nonsense on the internet and my beastie would be 100% pain free we did the procedure.

Our beastie had been very ill, we have a dog, and our guy is completely an indoor animal. So our vet felt it best to have the procedure done while being neutered so as to avoid a second surgery if for some reason we changed our minds.

As I said our vet said 100% pain free and he was true to his word. Our little guy came home and ran, jumped and played just like before the procedure. I wanted him to rest but he was having none of that. Also our vet is great. He called me regularly with updates personally, not his staff.

The only people that were in pain was the staff because our beastie is so spoiled he cried and howled in the cage unless they were holding or letting him wander around. They were glad to see the back end of him I can assure you.

 

[puffkin]

It is animal cruetly, plain and simple. I would never even consider it for my cats and I happily signed the waivers stating I would never declaw them when I adopted them from a foster org.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

You need to read my post..I said I was uneducated when I had my cat done 20 years ago.

Tell the other countries that deem it animal cruelty that it isn't fact..I am sure they would be glad to know you know more than they do

I stand very firm and strong that declawing is cruel and it is amputation (that is fact..look it up). I also stand firm that if one can not tolerate claws one should not have a cat. I don't need lectures on cats and homes...I have spent countless hours as a shelter volunteer and I can tell you the no kills I work with will NOT adopt out to anyone that indicates they would even consider declawing. They immediately show them the door.

FYI:




I guess you know more than the law makers, vets and experts in these countries..declawing is in fact deemed animal cruelty...that is fact. Just because the US isn't there yet doesn't mean it is OK or not cruel (and it was outlawed in part of CA)


I guess you also know more than The Humane Society of the United States that also advocates to ban it and considers it animal cruelty as well. What I state is more than just my personal opinion and is backed by reputable organizations and several countries as fact. It is controversial in the Vet community as well with vets that will not perform the procedure because they feel it is cruel and disfiguring.

Once again with the condescending tone.

And there was no need to go searching for links to tell me what the procedure entailed because as I told you I was well aware before my cat went in for it.

I could care less what other countries think. Heck in some it's just peachy keen to stone women that doesn't mean I'm going to run out and buy a bag of rocks. I do know of my own personal experiences with it and that is what I based my decision off of.

My cats were no worse for having had the procedure done. They were/are still able to run and jump and play the same as all non disfigured cats. And have had no medical issues whatsoever.

Each person needs to make the decision for themselves. What will be best for them and their pet is what matters.

 

[kacaju]

I have always had my cats declawed (I have had about 15 cats over the years) when they were kittens. I used to work at a Vet Hospital and helped when the Vet used to do them. I would not declaw an adult cat..but yes, I would declaw a kitten if I was to get one.