I have three indoor cats, all have claws. I just buy those Trader Joe's scratching pads with cattnip, and they seem to love it. I also cut their nails regularly. They hate that, but they have learned that it is part of their bi-weekly routine. They are pretty spoiled though, I must admit.
2006-07-08 08:26:21 · 23 answers · asked by Left Footed 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Editing to add: I am DEFINITELY NOT declawing any of my cats....I don't believe in it. I was just interested in other's opinions. We have ripped carptets and snags in our clothes. I don't care....their love is worth more to me than rugs or sweaters. Just wanted to make that clear! Thanks.
2006-07-08 08:38:24 · update #1
KellyC--that is interesting about it being illegal to declaw cats in different states....do you know which ones?
2006-07-08 08:40:40 · update #2
It's basically the same as cutting off your finger at the 1st digit... Yes it hurts them, but they heal. I personally would never declaw a cat (needless pain, and if they ever get loose or near other cats they have no means to defend themselves), but I don't have any problem with people who do... I don't care what happens to my furniture but some people might. It's a choice that everyone has the right to make. I have more of a problem with people who bob tails and crop ears on dogs. Cosmetic surgery for pets?? Ugh, but then, that's just my opinion :)
2006-07-08 08:32:48 · answer #1 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 7⤊ 0⤋
We first got a couple of cats, brother and sister about a year old, who had their claws. They weren't any real problem with the furniture, so it wasn't an issue. Then we got a de-clawed cat that was at least five and not overly active at first. We felt that we had to de-claw the first two cats as they were far more active, with the new cat rather nervous about the other two. We didn't want any conflict which might result in a serious injury.
The de-clawing wasn't a problem. The cats were out like a light, and we just had to make sure that they weren't jumping on anything. Since then, they've been their normal old selves.
De-clawing isn't inhumane unless they need their cats, which they won't if they're indoor cats. It is, however, something that should be done only it their claws become a problem, which yours don't seem to have.
Hope that helps.
2006-07-08 15:40:32 · answer #2 · answered by Ѕємι~Мαđ ŠçїєŋŧιѕТ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually made the mistake in declawing all 4 paws on my (now dead) cat when he was young and regretted it from almost the moment he came home. I do feel it was inhumane and yes, it did hurt....it IS surgery. They cut each little toe and remove the claw and then sew it back up. (At least my vet did.) I guess my cat was too young and his claws tried to grow back so every once in a while, his poor little toes actually bled. He'd get up on a box or something and just go to town acting like he was sharpening his claws...it made my heart bleed to see him. I had no idea how invasive and how much it would affect him...and my vet I had at the time never took the time to tell me what all was entailed. Also, I had to be very vigilant about making sure he didn't go outside --- he had no way to protect himself!!
So, my 2 cats I have now have all their claws and several scratching posts and we get along just fine. I don't even trim their nails...they seem to keep them up pretty good. I'll NEVER have another cat declawed again. =(
2006-07-08 15:40:24 · answer #3 · answered by schaianne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that if you feel the need to declaw a cat, then you don't need a cat. There's a nifty new product called soft claws which slides over the claws, and cause no discomfort. The cat or dog, can scratch without damaging anything.
Declawing can make a cat more agressive, because it has no defense. Its also a procedure that causes unnecessary pain. I do indeed find it inhumane, and it causes pain for the cat for the rest, or most of its life. And like I said..thinking of declawing? Then you don't need a cat.
http://www.softpaws.com/
2006-07-08 15:34:20 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My personal beliefs on declawing is that it is inhumane. Declawing a cat takes away one of their only defenses. Even if a cat is strictly indoor, there's always a chance it can get out and get injured.
The process of declawing is cruel, at best, because the vet does not open the toe and remove the claw. They merely press on the pads of the paws and clip the nail off close to the sheath. This procedure is kin to cutting off a baby's fingers at the first knuckle.
2006-07-08 15:33:58 · answer #5 · answered by Dark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is wrong because they remove the entire last bone in the cats paw and it affects them alot!! Also if the cat ever got out it has no way to properly defend itself against other animals. Finally because they were designed to have claws and it is wrong to remove them for the sake of saving inanimate unfeeling furniture. On top of that it is cheaper to buy a scratching post and just trim their nails regularly...like I do for my 4 cats!! There are already some states where it is against the law to declaw a cat because it is cruel!!
2006-07-08 15:36:05 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Declawing vs. what? There is a militant group of pet owners who won't let you adopt a cat from them if you intend to de-claw the cat. Interesting... I guess they prefer that the cat is euthanized instead of being declawed and living in the lap of luxury with their every whim catered to.
And yes, cats without their front claws can climb trees and can rip the face of dogs. They just don't tear up furniture.
I think it does hurt them, as would any surgery. But I see no signs of lingering pain after the first few days of recovery.
2006-07-08 15:32:36 · answer #7 · answered by TheSlayor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My philosophy is that humans have to adapt to the animals, not the other way around. I would never dream of putting my cats through the agony of anesthesia, surgery, and the recuperation period. Even if it was proved that the cat's personality doesn't change, I would not put him through that physical pain to make him "houseproofed." Further, I have never had a cat who was totally indoors. And further, I hate to neuter/spay my cats, but over the years I have accepted that fact of life. And even further, I don't like the fact that vets notch the ear when they alter a cat. I don't care what the Humane Society says...if you can get close enough to a cat to catch it, then you can see if the cat is neutered and there is no need to notch the ear. But I digress.
So, my vote is totally NO for declawing. I wouldn't cut off my kid's knuckles to stop him from picking his nose.
Here is a vet's web site you should read:
http://www.declawing.org/
2006-07-08 15:31:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel that people who do not sprend time to teach the cat and provide proper places for the cat to scratch are the lazy type who will declaw a cat.
I have leather furniture and my cal has all her claws she never scratches on it. She has a tree and a post and many toys and has never touched my carpets or household items.
I would never have it done I think it is inhumane to amputate the toes of cat.
2006-07-08 16:26:42 · answer #9 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
de-clawing = having your finger tips removed at the first knuckle.(ouch) A person would be impaired if they were maimed (mutilated)in that way.
Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes" It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing.. quote from Dr.Schelling
2006-07-08 16:54:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋