Declaw or euthanize?

Question

13 year old cat scratches us and kids. No one will adopt an older cat. Vet already has a hoard of unwanted cats that live at and roam all over office. If cat goes to shelter it will be euthanized. Cat can live if declawed. Millions of cats are euthanized each year because of their behavior. I know that declawing is amputation to the bone but what if it saves the cat's life?

Answer 1

How long have you had this cat? If it never scratched you or your kids before, its behavior must be a reaction to something. Take the cat to the vet. The vet may help you figure out why the cat behaves like that.

Definitely don't euthanize it!!! Some cats can live even 20 years if they are healthy. If you really want to get rid of it, give it to a no-kill shelter. Again, your vet may help you find one, or you can just google "no-kill shelters" and you'll end up finding one in your area. You may also find a catloving person willing to adopt an old cat, even here on Yahoo Answers, if you specify your location.

Don't declaw it either. It's too painful for a cat that age. And it shouldn't be done to any cat, no matter its age. It's too cruel. If you really love your cat, you will be able to find some free time to bring it to the vet or a grooming salon to have its nails trimmed on a regular basis. If you only ask for that (not a bath) they won't charge much, or they may even not charge you at all. That's what I do with my cat, and she never scratches us (she may accidentally do so when we play) or the furniture.

Finally, if the cat has been with you and your family all its life, and it has always scratched you, maybe you didn't train it well and you should blame yourself, not the cat.

Answer 2

Have you tried trimming your cats nails? Another alternative would be a product that slips onto the nails kinda like a glove. They are made of a soft plastic kind of material and need replacement. Kinda like acrylic nails . Your vet could probably help you find them. If the scratches that your cat causes are that severe and you simply can't tolerate it, declawing may be an acceptable alternative to euthanizing the poor thing. You should probably speak to a couple of vets beforehand though, at 13 an animal may have a more difficult time recovering from unnessecary surgery. I appreciate that you are seeking help and wish to be humane, but unless someone in the household has a medical problem where a scratch could be serious, I really wish you could get over it. Animals have claws and often scratch those they live with. Declawing is a nasty procedure and people should not take on the responsibility of a pet if they are not willing to take the good with the bad.

Answer 3

If you have had this cat for awhile and scratching is a new behavior, it is possible that the cat is suffering from a medical problem. Animals have bizarre ways of expressing their pain sometimes. Declawing is not a simple solution to a scratching or clawing problem in cats. It is like having your fingers amputated at the first joint. Sound painless? Declawing also can cause a cat to become a biter. This wouldn't necessarily be an issue for an older cat, but for younger cats declawing can cause the muscles in the feet to atrophy due to a lack of exercising those toes. This can become painful after a few years. I've seen 4 yr old cats who could barely walk due to the pain. A spritz in the face with water can cause remarkable changes in an animals behavior. Maybe you should try this. If all else fails look online for a cat rescue organization who will accept him.

Answer 4

Don't euthanize, don't declaw (especially at that age!! Do full check-up for medical conditions possibly contributing to behavior, trim nails, use softpaws as suggested, check with behavioral therapist for cats (you can consult with Tufts University, I will see if I can find the link for you, and be back with it if I can),

One hour later:
Okay, I found a better link, that offers various behavioral consults, some for free by phone. Try:
http://www.theanimalcenter.org/content/resources.htm#BookmarkCatBehavioral

To find the list, scroll a little ways down the page. At the top, it says "Helping Animals in Connecticut", but the resources are useful anywhere.

It also talks about the Tuft's School of Veterinary Medicine companion animalFAX Program
508-887-4640
(or 800-839-8companion animal)
This is a paid program, but offers expert thorough help from some of the best in the business. I used it to stop my male cat's spraying problem, which had continued for 9 months until I talked to them.

Answer 5

Make sure your vet will even do it. Most veterinarians will not declaw a cat that old. It is much too painful. If you can't keep him or find a better home, try finding a no-kill shelter. I used to work at one, and the animals lived there until they found homes. It is true that it takes longer for older cats to find homes, but there are people out there who will adopt an older cat. I've seen it happen. I understand that you can't keep an animal that is harming your children, but putting it through an extremely painful surgery or euthanizing it are not your only options, believe me.

Answer 6

Declaw your cat. All three of ours are declawed. It causes 2 - 3 days of intense pain, 2 - 3 more of slight pain (mostly from pressure then) and you're done. Zip. No more scratching for you and pain for cat. I personally hate it but my Mom decided to declaw them and they live through it. Now - they're perfectly happy. It has absolutely no long term effects - other than the loss of claws obviously. Though - if you still can't stomach it they have developed some sort of plastic covers to go over claws. Try looking in a Cat Fancy magazine for info...?

Answer 7

You can declaw the cat or use the product Soft Paws. Soft Paws are plastic nail looking things you superglue onto your cat's nails. I believe they last 8 weeks or so before falling off and then you glue new ones on.

I don't like declawing, but I don't like euthaniza even more. I would try the Soft Paws first and if that doesn't work, then declaw. There's no use in killing an animal for something like this.

Answer 8

If euthanization is the only alternative to declawing..........DECLAW. I have 2 declawed cats and they still "scratch" at the furniture which of course does nothing and we are both happy. Consider it if you love the cat and don't want to killl it for being a cat and doing what it feels is normal.

Answer 9

This is an ethical dilemma for many cat owners. If you are considering doing this to your thirteen year old cat I would say no to it. It would be much too tramatic at her age. Declawed cats frequently become biters and have litterbox issues from this surgery.

I would just not handle the cat much anymore and let her be. Could she possibly have an illness and be in pain? I would check this out for sure. Many humane societies have a cat behaviorist so it might be possible for you to consult one.

I wish I could come to your house and watch her behavior and interactions with you and see if I could come up with some suggestions.

Answer 10

I always have my cats declawed. They can destroy your home, as well as scratch little ones. If you take it to a good vet, they are very humane about it. They are put to sleep and come home with pain medication. After a couple of days or so, they are fine. I see nothing wrong with it. Of course, they have to be indoor cats, which I always have. I don't let my cats out and actually they don't even try to get out..