Did you have your cat declawed?

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

My DH's cat is declawed in the front. He had her before we were married and we both made the decision to declaw her, so she wouldn't keep scratching up our new mattress. Granted, he did it because I told him to have it done or the cat is gone. There was no middle ground for me. I do have to say, that I thought declawing was just removal of the nail and not any joints or knuckles. I guess it was a don't ask and get the gorey details from the vet kinda thing.

I'm a dog person, so this will be our last cat ever. Cats to me are like fish. They aren't practical. If my kids and DH want to be around cats, they can go to the IL's they have 5.

not starting a "thing", honest!!! - I am just curious as I see dogs as more "impractical". Just wondering why you say that? I think the dog vs. cat person thing is interesting!

 

[CheshireVal]

I get mine declawed because I do care about my furniture - it is wrong for anyone to claim I care MORE about my furniture than my pets. You don't know that and it is not a given.

To me it kind of seems like a logical conclusion though. You are willing to put a cat through surgery and change it physically in order to save a couch, but you are not willing to let a couch be scratched or changed physically in order to save your cat from the trauma of a vet's visit and subsequent surgery.

That seems to me like the furniture is more important!

That's just the way I see it.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

(G

To me it kind of seems like a logical conclusion though. You are willing to put a cat through surgery and change it physically in order to save a couch, but you are not willing to let a couch be scratched or changed physically in order to save your cat from the trauma of a vet's visit and subsequent surgery.

That seems to me like the furniture is more important!

That's just the way I see it.

we'll have to agree to disagree. From your viewpoint it would seem that way, from my viewpoint it does not as I do not see it as so extreme or dire a thing. I am just saying that no one can TELL me I care about my furniture more because from my viewpoint I do not. What I have a problem with is the judgement and accusation that it is a given....it is not. In your view it would seem to be the case, but it does not make it so. KWIM?

and my main point was that being so judgemental and telling people they don't care very deeply about their pets - simply because they disagree with your choices - just nothing to promote your cause. It just offends and puts people off. ("general" you - not you specifically)

 

[kinntj]

not starting a "thing", honest!!! - I am just curious as I see dogs as more "impractical". Just wondering why you say that? I think the dog vs. cat person thing is interesting!

I think practicality is a personal thing really. I should have said to me I think they are impractical. Most people love them and I'm fine with that. They love that they can go on vacation and leave the self feeder out and litter box and they are all set. With dogs you have to kennel or find a house sitter or take them to someone's house to watch and be let out and walked. I totally get that.

My dogs to me are companions and they love unconditionally. They are also great security dogs. Not saying that if a burglar wanted to get into the house, they couldn't, but they do deter. They can go to the house across the street that has a cat. It's not like thieves are going to say, OMG there's a cat...RUN!!!!

This is just my opinion and not meant to say that cats aren't a good pet in general. They are just not a good pet/match for me. I have a friend that has 2 cats and she would rather get her own hands cut off then to declaw her cat and she's one of the reasons we wouldn't own a cat. I wouldn't put it past her to take pliers and start trying to take our fingernails and fingers off. She's just really passionate about it and there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[PhotobearSam]

I found this on-line and thought I would post...

Myths and Rumors: What People Hear About Declawing

MYTH #1: After declawing a cat is likely to become fearful or experience behavior changes impairing an affectionate relationship with its owner

Numerous scientific studies have been unable to document any behavior changes post-declaw. In fact, in one survey 70% of owners of declawed cats reported an improved relationship with their cat after the procedure.
_________________________________________________________________
MYTH #2: A declawed cat cannot climb trees

Declawed cats are not as effective at climbing trees as cats with claws but declawing does not prevent tree climbing.
_________________________________________________________________
MYTH #3: A declawed cat cannot catch prey

Declawed cats are not as effective at catching prey as cats with claws but declawing does not prevent effective hunting.
_________________________________________________________________
MYTH #4: A declawed cat has lost its ability to defend itself and should not be allowed outside

This one is actually true. Without claws, a cat has indeed lost an important part of its defense system. I feel strongly that declawed cats should be housed indoors only.
_________________________________________________________________
MYTH #5: Declawed cats are more likely to bite since they can no longer claw

Declawed cats do not seem to realize they have no claws. They will continue to scratch ineffectively as if they did not know the difference. Studies have shown no increased biting tendency after declawing.
_________________________________________________________________
MYTH #6: The post-operative period involves tremendous pain

The declawed cat will indeed have sore feet after surgery. The larger the cat, the more the discomfort and reluctance to bear weight. Pain relievers are often prescribed. However, this recovery period should not last longer than a week or so. Healing should be complete by two weeks.

It is not normal for a cat to have chronic pain after declaw surgery. If the toes are not comfortable, the cat seems to be "walking on eggshells" after the recovery period should have been over, or seems irritable about his or her feet, a check up is warranted. Sometimes an infection is present. Sometimes a bit of surgical glue has not properly extruded and must be removed. Sometimes a residual bit of bone is creating a "stone in one's shoe" sensation and the bone must be removed.

There is also an unusual response to surgery called the "wind up" phenomenon where nerves become hypersensitive and process stimuli with abnormal intensity. Dr. Gaynor at the Animal Anesthesia and Pain Management Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has published a protcol for this syndrome using a combination of amantadine and meloxicam that claims 100% success so far in treating this syndrome (April 2005, North American Veterinary Conference Clinician's Brief).
_________________________________________________________________
MYTH #7: A declawed cat will not use a litter box again

It is very important that litter not get impacted in the declaw incisions during the recovery period. Shredded paper is the usual recommendation during recovery and some cats simply will not use shredded paper. The recycled newspaper litters are an excellent alternative. The only litter problem one might expect would be lack of acceptance of a new litter during the recovery period. Declawed cats do not lose their litter box instinct.
_________________________________________________________________
Tendonectomy: A Surgical Alternative To Declawing

This surgical procedure is gaining popularity with owners who are concerned about the recovery period with a conventional declaw. Here, a ligament is cut on the underside of each toe to prevent grasping motions. The claws remain but the cat cannot extend them.




What To Expect/Possible Complications

* Because the incisions needed for this procedure are so small, the recovery is minimal. No bandages, no special litter, no blood spotting. There are usually no stitches to remove and the tiny incisions are closed in surgical glue.
* Because the cat can no longer make grasping motions, the claws will naturally grow in a circular manner into the foot pads causing pain and infection unless the owner is able to trim the nails on a regular basis. (The tendonectomy patient will require life-long regular nail-clipping.).

The August 1, 1998 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reports a study that compared the long and short term complications of tendonectomy vs. those of traditional declaw. Owner satisfaction with both procedures was also measured. While cats who received the tendonectomy showed significantly lower pain scores immediately post operatively, both procedures showed an equal frequency of other complications (bleeding, lameness, and infection). The number of days it took for a cat to walk normally again was not different between the declawed cats and the tendonectomy cats. There was no significant difference between the percentage of owners satisfied with declaw versus the percentage of owners satisfied with tendonectomy.

Soft Paws®



This is another popular method of controlling a scratching problem. Blunt acrylic nail caps are glued onto the cat's claws. The idea is that the blunt nail will not be sharp enough to cause damage. The hospital staff will place the first set but after this, the owner has the option of placing the caps him/herself at home.


What to Expect/Possible Complications

The nail caps will wear off but not at the same time. After a couple of weeks some of the nails will be capped and others will not be.

The nail caps must be replaced as the nail grows out. Some cats are not in the least discouraged from scratching by these caps and are able to simply scratch larger holes in the upholstery.

The most important thing in making a claw management decision is making a decision that you are happy with. There are positives and negatives with each procedure. If you have further questions, do not hesitate to bring them up to your veterinarian.

Just an FYI

 

[CheshireVal]

MYTH #6: The post-operative period involves tremendous pain

The declawed cat will indeed have sore feet after surgery. The larger the cat, the more the discomfort and reluctance to bear weight. Pain relievers are often prescribed. However, this recovery period should not last longer than a week or so. Healing should be complete by two weeks.

See, I just wouldn't put my cat through that. Even a week of pain is too much when it's totally elective (on the owner's part, not the cat's!)

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I think practicality is a personal thing really. I should have said to me I think they are impractical. Most people love them and I'm fine with that. They love that they can go on vacation and leave the self feeder out and litter box and they are all set. With dogs you have to kennel or find a house sitter or take them to someone's house to watch and be let out and walked. I totally get that.

My dogs to me are companions and they love unconditionally. They are also great security dogs. Not saying that if a burglar wanted to get into the house, they couldn't, but they do deter. They can go to the house across the street that has a cat. It's not like thieves are going to say, OMG there's a cat...RUN!!!!

This is just my opinion and not meant to say that cats aren't a good pet in general. They are just not a good pet/match for me. I have a friend that has 2 cats and she would rather get her own hands cut off then to declaw her cat and she's one of the reasons we wouldn't own a cat. I wouldn't put it past her to take pliers and start trying to take our fingernails and fingers off. She's just really passionate about it and there's nothing wrong with that.

I understand! As far as practicality, my dog is not very but the cats are a breeze! Also, I have been lucky to have more cats that are the unconditional love types rather than the standoffish type. Mydog would let an ax murder in the house and offer him the kibble and everything else!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[Passions71203]

We have one cat that came to us declawed. The funny thing is, he knows his paws are useless for defense, so he bites!

ours does the same thing...

 

[tonilea]

Yes, front and rear. I had her's done at 12 weeks. The next day when I took her home she was jumping off the furniture. The younger it is done, the easier it is on the cat. It hasn't stopped her from catching the occasional mouse that makes it in.

I worked for a vet for years and I find it much more humane than someone tossing them outside (when they have always been indoors) when they are fed up with the clawing.

I also think that comparing it to having our fingers amputated is kinda like comparing apples to oranges. Cats have paws, not hands. And they don't use their paws like we use our hands.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

I don't have cats any more but I used to have 4. We had our first 2 declawed but our last 2 weren't. The vets in our area would only do the front claws so that the cats would have some kind of protection (back claws) if they ever needed it. We didn't have our last 2 declawed but I wish we had. It was more of a "just never got around to it" thing for why they weren't declawed as well.

 

[PhotobearSam]

Thank you all for your responses.

 

[lewisgal]

Even though I voted "cruel and inhumaine", that's not exactly my position. What I feel is something more like, "only as a last resort after trying other methods for my cat and my furniture to peacefully co-exist". .

AGREE WELL SAID

 

[N.Bailey]

I think it's a personal decision and I hate to see anyone feel that their opinion outweighs that of another, unless of course the person doing the criticizing is willing to start sending money for food, litter, vet care, etc. of said animal. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but the ONLY person who has a say is the owner of said pet.

Personally, the only judgments I'll make is, I think if you do decide to have your cat declawed, you should not allow the cat to go outside. Even my vet says as much. They simply do not have the ability to defend themselves if that need arises and I think that would be very cruel and could likely result in their death.

I also really think having an animal spayed and neutered is much more invasive, yet the world puts a big old stamp of approval on this. I think it's a bit hypocritical myself, but hey, that's just me.

Having said all that, I did have my cat declawed in the front. It had nothing to do with furnishings, but if it did, that's my business and I wouldn't feel a need to defend my position to anyone. Our dog was constantly having cuts insider her mouth from playing with the cat and everyone else in the family had gouges up their legs etc... as the cat tried to climb them. After talking with my vet, we came to the conclusion that we should declaw her to spare everyone involved.

I'm truly amazed at how many people have declawed their cats (though am not criticizing in any way). Normally these threads head so far south that it seems like no one has done it. Maybe everyone just knows to not say anything around here?

 

[Mickey Fliers]

To me it kind of seems like a logical conclusion though. You are willing to put a cat through surgery and change it physically in order to save a couch, but you are not willing to let a couch be scratched or changed physically in order to save your cat from the trauma of a vet's visit and subsequent surgery.

That seems to me like the furniture is more important!

That's just the way I see it.

Then the same could be said about spaying and neutering? Surgically altering an animal for our own convenience. I mean, an indoor cat isn't at a high risk for breeding, but most owners will have the cat altered to prevent heat, spraying and howling.

Just playing devil's advocate.

 

[grlpwrd]

I adopted 3 cats and none of them are declawed. I think it's not only unhumane, but it's messing with evolution/nature ... but that's just me.

I taught them to use a scratching post, stay off furniture and not damage my stuff, and my twin sister taught me how to clip their nails.

Their vet offers laser "declawing," but I don't want to do that to them.

 

[daisyduck123]

Still thinking about it....last night she scratched me so hard that I was dizzy afterwards from the pain...she got me less than a 1/2 inch away under my eye. Today it's scabbed over & people at work were asking me what the heck happened.

 

[denisem]

I have nothing but positive things to say about laser front declawing with the 1st cat I'd ever found the need to declaw.

Until then, all of our cats were either clippable, used scratching posts (or a "sacrificial" piece of furniture) or wore Softpaws as a last resort. (Note: Softpaws need to be monitored: not only for replacement, but the occasional nail that doesn't naturally shed and has to be cut off before it grows back around into the pad of kitty's foot.)

Anyhow, then we acquired Rocko, an early generation bengal kitten who DETESTED anyone holding his paws from day one. Even the vet had to anesthesize him merely to cut his claws. (NOT because Rocko clawed or bit, but because he turns into a whirling Slinky with hair.)

Laser surgery resulted in an overnight stay, no bandages and he was totally back to normal within a few days (aside from a few "crash & burns" when he found he couldn't jump to the back of the recliner & claw his way up.) No residual biting or litterbox problems.

We later adopted his great-grandma, Millie (a retired bengal breeder, also front declawed) and neither of them show any sign of tenderness in their front paws. In fact, Rocko's way of "greeting" us every morning is by pawing our feet...and Millie still stretches & vigorously "claws" the post on their cat tree.

Again, I don't take declawing lightly, but it's worth finding a vet skilled in laser and paying the extra few $$.

 

[TurboKitty]

I have nothing but positive things to say about laser front declawing with the 1st cat I'd ever found the need to declaw.

Until then, all of our cats were either clippable, used scratching posts (or a "sacrificial" piece of furniture) or wore Softpaws as a last resort. (Note: Softpaws need to be monitored: not only for replacement, but the occasional nail that doesn't naturally shed and has to be cut off before it grows back around into the pad of kitty's foot.)

Anyhow, then we acquired Rocko, an early generation bengal kitten who DETESTED anyone holding his paws from day one. Even the vet had to anesthesize him merely to cut his claws. (NOT because Rocko clawed or bit, but because he turns into a whirling Slinky with hair.)

Laser surgery resulted in an overnight stay, no bandages and he was totally back to normal within a few days (aside from a few "crash & burns" when he found he couldn't jump to the back of the recliner & claw his way up.) No residual biting or litterbox problems.

We later adopted his great-grandma, Millie (a retired bengal breeder, also front declawed) and neither of them show any sign of tenderness in their front paws. In fact, Rocko's way of "greeting" us every morning is by pawing our feet...and Millie still stretches & vigorously "claws" the post on their cat tree.

Again, I don't take declawing lightly, but it's worth finding a vet skilled in laser and paying the extra few $$.

I gotta say...if I were driven into the corner or had to advise a friend who I knew had exhausted all other options, laser is the way to go. From all I've seen, there's less trauma involved and the healing time is shorter.

I am not an advocate for declawing by any means, but I'd much rather see declawed, spayed/neutered cats find happy homes than feral cats being ignored in the streets, or strays overwhelming our animal control centers.

 

[Tasha+Scott]

Personally, the only judgments I'll make is, I think if you do decide to have your cat declawed, you should not allow the cat to go outside. Even my vet says as much. They simply do not have the ability to defend themselves if that need arises and I think that would be very cruel and could likely result in their death.

See, I absolutely agree with you on this. My cats were always indoor cats. I have never had a cat that wasn't an indoor cat whether I had them declawed or not.

 

[KikiFan]

I had my cat declawed but she was literally insane. I had rescued her from a really abusive family with 5 boys. She hated any loud noises or anyone speaking any louder then talking.

If my other cat got into the garbage and I yelled at him to get out, she would attack me. If I was singing - she'd attack. If I fell and yelped - she'd attack me. The last straw was the night I woke up with her on my head scratching me with all fours. I could have easily lost both my eyes.

Interestingly she never started biting. But truthfully, one mouth scared me less then four paws with claws.

Sometimes it's the only solution. Even if it is "only" about furniture. Why should someone have to live in a dump just because they've got a cat? If and I mean *IF* they've tried all the options then I'd rather see them declaw it then get rid of it. Frankly I think declawing a cat is a heck of a lot more responsible then then people that let there cats wander the city streets.