Declawing kittens. Yay or nay???

Question

I just adopted two kittys....both are about 2 1/2 months old. Not sure on whether to declaw them. Seems like everyone i've asked (cat lovers, vets, friends) are 50/50 on the topic. Just wondering what everyone else thinks and if they have any personal experiences with their cats because of it.

Thanks!

Answer 1

NOOOOOOOOOO how would you like your fingernails ripped out?

Answer 2

Although it's really your choice, I wouldn't suggest declawing. It's a painful procedure (some vets will even refuse to do the operation because of the pain it causes)and it has many side effects (declawed cats may even refuse to use the litter box). Declawed cats sometimes feel helpless since they use their claws for so many things and may start biting (my friend had a declawed cat that had never chewed anything, but after its claws were removed it did) or act withdrawn. So overall, I don't think declawing is a good idea.

Answer 3

Don't declaw your cats. The truth about declawing is that when it's done, they actually cut off the first joint of their toes! This is painful, and can get infected or can even cause physical handicap.

Buy your cats a nice sisal rope scratching post or make your own by wrapping sisal rope around a piece of curtain rod long enough for a full-grown cat to stretch out completely against, then screw or nail it into a simple wooden or carpeted wooden base.

Show the scratching post to them, and they will get the idea easy. Don't force their paws on it. If they have already clawed a piece of furniture or something, put the scratching post near that item, and if they claw the item, then turn them to the scratching post gently but firmly

Answer 4

Nay if you are concerned about removing the first digit of the kittens paws. It literally is an amputation, and while there's usually no complication, I have seen a couple of cats that developed a permanent limp after having it done.

Yay if you have small children you are worried about them scratching. I've seen what an infected scratch on a kid looks like. Not good. Would it be better to leave the claws in, and then have to give the kitten away because you are unable to train them not to use their claws on the children?

If you can find a vet that can do a tendonectomy, I would highly recommend that. They don't amputate the first digit, they merely cut the tendon that allows them to extend their claws. There's not much pain involved and it heals very quickly. I would add that it's a good idea to only do this to the front claws, in order to leave them some protection.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 5

ok, this isn't even "ripping your fingernails out" like another person said...When they "declaw" your cat, they actually remove the bone. It would be like removing your finger at your first knuckle!! It is very inhumane! There are other alternatives if you are concerned with scratching, there are sprays and other options to keep your cat from scratching (try www.drsfostersmith.com--they have different options). As a little side story--My bestfriend in HS had a declawed cat. It liked to be outside, so her mom would put it on a run/leash in the yard when she was sitting on the porch. Three dogs came up and attacked her and she had no claws to defend herself and despite her mother trying to hit off the dogs, the cat ended up dying. The dogs would have probably left the cat alone if she was able to give them a couple of swipes with her claws.

Answer 6

I adopted a cat that had previously been declawed. He doesn't seem to have any issues resulting from his declawing. I have heard that when you have your cat declawed it compares to amputation of a human hand at the first knuckle. It really is a personal choice you have to make, if they are tearing things up in your home, you might want to try a scratching post to see if it remedies the problem, before resorting to declawing.

Answer 7

Everyone who wants to declaw cats does so because they've convinced themselves that cats can't be trained to not scratch. That's not true at all. Just get them a good scratching post and show them to it when you catch them scratching on anything else. If you're on a really restricted budget, you could probably make the post yourself. They seem to like the carpet on it more than the rope or anything else on it. Those cheap cardboard box things don't work either. Training them to scratch in the proper place is much cheaper and healthier than having their claws removed and risking a psycho cat problem.

Answer 8

Tough decision! It would not be my first choice. We used a product called Soft Claws for one of our cats. It was a little labor intensive, we had to glue false nails on her every 6-8 weeks. If the scratch trees or something like that does not work then I would consider declawing only if they are being destructive. So final answer- a definite maybe.
It is a better choice then taking them to the pound or turning them into outdoor cats.

Answer 9

Never Never Never. Look into the procedure. It's most painful, takes away a part of the defense system and it's not necessary. Try inmagining having your toe or fingernails removed and have to use your feet or hands.
Should kitty start to use your furniture for scratching get a spray bottle and fill it with water and flea repellant. This causes kitty to stop scratching and will also keep it deflead.
Provide a sturdy cats cratching devise. A huge post isn't necessary, I have a flat box with strips of cardboard tightly fitted in it. You can get this in any pet or feed store. I put catnip in the holes in the pieces of cardboard and my cat can't stay away from it. My furniture is great, the cat is happy and our world is peaceful.

Answer 10

It is hard to say. There are pros and cons about having it either way. I personally would want my cats claws declawed. If you're playing with your cat and she/he comes up to paw you, you're getting scratched really bad! Whereas if the cat is clawed then its just a friendly tap and its funny! I guess you just have to decide which would be better for everyone. Keep in mind if you have any children or little ones running around, you'd hate to have to kill your cat for hurting or scratching the crap out of your child!

Answer 11

If your kittens will spend any time outside, no. They need protection and better ability to climb. If they will be exclusively inside, it's up to you. You can try to train them not to scratch furniture and use a scratching post, or have them removed. They are put under while the procedure is done, and it doesn't take too long to recover from. We had both of our cats declawed and fixed at the same time to save money on the anesthesia. They are just fine, and one of them still likes to use the scratching post too.