Did you have your cat declawed?

[katerkat]

My boys are not declawed. We got rid of our last set of couches because it was just too tempting for them - it was the perfect scratching post material! We did some research and got microfiber couches and it cut down a LOT on the destruction. (There's just one tiny corner that's got some marks in it.) Of course, it helps that Russ will chase them yelling "Don't scratch da couch!" when he hears the claw hit the couch. (Someone should tell Russ to quit spilling juice on the couch...) Now, of course, our problem is the huge indentations on the top of the two recliners from where the boys sleep.

I'm not anti-declawing, though. If you've tried everything and the cats won't stop scratching, I'd rather see a declawed cat living happily with a family than being dumped in a shelter.

Of course, seeing as my son is circumcised, it would be hypocritical of me to judge others. (Yes, it's been compared in DIS declawing debates before!)

 

[Talking Hands]

WE only declawed our forst cat. After that experience we refused to do any of the others. Just was too traumatic for the cat.

 

[druidia]

I did it to my last cat and I will never do it again. One of her paws was never the same after the surgery.

Some people think having the laser surgery vs traditional is somehow better.

It isn't. They are still having the top joint of their fingers removed, period. There is simply a lower risk of infection and supposedly less pain, but I seriously doubt that when you consider what is being done.

I consider having a cat like having a kid; some things are going to get broken and messed up, and you deal with it because you chose to have them and you love them. Our cats are completely indoor cats, and I'm ok with the couch being a little marked up if it gets that way. I can afford a new one if need be.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

We did not. 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". If that makes any sense.

I have seen what they used to do to declaw back in the '80's and ouchies...poor kitteh. This is what I base a lot of my opinion upon.

I agree with this. Although I can't imagine having a cat declawed, I would much rather see a cat declawed and in a loving home than put down at a shelter.

Although my cat has clawed up some furniture (most notably, a lovely 5-panel Japanese screen DH bought for me many years ago when we were young and especially broke ), my dogs have been MUCH more expensively destructive than any cat I've ever had.

 

[SuBeat]

I did it to my last cat and I will never do it again. One of her paws was never the same after the surgery.

Some people think having the laser surgery vs traditional is somehow better.

It isn't. They are still having the top joint of their fingers removed, period. There is simply a lower risk of infection and supposedly less pain, but I seriously doubt that when you consider what is being done.

I consider having a cat like having a kid; some things are going to get broken and messed up, and you deal with it because you chose to have them and you love them. Our cats are completely indoor cats, and I'm ok with the couch being a little marked up if it gets that way. I can afford a new one if need be.

To expand on the excellent point above, I have a 5 month old puppy that has destroyed more of our possessions in the 3 months we've had her than our cats have in 5+ years. But I'm fairly certain that no one is going to suggest we have her teeth removed. We'll simply teach her what is acceptable to chew and what is not, just like we did with the cats and clawing. They still like to sink their claws into the sofa at times, but a quick squirt from a water bottle (or even just the sight of it) is enough to stop them.