I'm thinking of having my cat declawed. is it a good idea or a bad one ?

Answer 1

definately not, Declawing a cat is like having the last joint of ur finger removed!the cat has 2 relearn how to walk, and will feel pain for several days later. also, many declawed cats bite alot because they feel defenseless.

Answer 2

Growing up, my parents always had our cats declawed in the front paws. They had been destructive to the furniture, so it was either get them declawed or send them to the pound (where they would likely be euthanized). My oldest two cats now (I've taken them with me from my mom's to my own home) are declawed, the younger two are not. I decided that I wouldn't get the younger cats declawed because I do understand that it's a serious surgery (these folks are right--they DO remove the bone at the first knuckle. But keep in mind, it's done under anaesthesia and my cats were always given pain meds for us to administer for the first few days afer the surgery. The vets know what they're doing, they wouldn't do it if it was a cruel thing to do), and I don't want to put them through any undue stress. This one is still up in the air, though...they are still destructive to our furniture, and may end up with the same fate as my others.

HOWEVER, just to be clear, my cats have been indoor/outdoor, and being declawed has never kept them from defending themselves (if you've seen cats fighting, you'll know that they don't use their front claws except as a warning early on...once it escalates, the front paws are used to hold the other cat around the neck, and they use their back feet to scratch the other cat's underbelly....), or climbing trees and fences. They have never been biters, either. They were all EXTREMELY well-adjusted and friendly, and while they were in pain after the surgery for a few days, they didn't have to "re-learn" how to walk. It doesn't make their paws any more sensitive, either...

I've tried those nail caps, and while effective as long as they're on, I have one cat that always pulls them off with her teeth, and this is after the adhesive has dried. I've tried having the vet put them on as well, and that didn't work any better. I was hoping this would help, but if your cat doesn't like them being on, then they'll find a way to get them off.

If you DO get this done, it's best to do it when they are young. But it's a personal decision--do what you feel is right.

Answer 3

Okay, listen up, I grew up in a house with 10 Himalayan cats and 5 domestic cats. All at the same time! I could be a crazy cat lady if I wanted to be but so far after seeing my mom be one I think I'll pass! Anyway living with that many kitties definitely gave me some insight on them and here is what I think about declawing...just like all the other responses I am against it. Yes, it can save your furniture but think about this...once you declaw a cat their paws are very sensitive. In fact, it is known that declawed cats often refuse to use the litter box. This is because their paws are permanently sensitive after surgery. Yes the initial pain from surgery does go away but there is always a sensitivity to there paws which when they touch the litter it irritates them so they will start doing there business in the soft fluffy carpeting instead. It's not worth it to you or your Kittie!

Answer 4

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. 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.

Answer 5

Declawing a cat amounts to removing the last joint on each of its toes. The cat's convalescence will take several days and will be excruciatingly painful for him.

My opinion is that declawing a cat is something to fall back on only as a very last resort. If you have exhausted every other way of training the cat to use scratching posts or whatever then go ahead and take him in.

Whether or not you do it, give him a scratch between the ears for me.

Answer 6

It is a VERY bad idea to declaw a cat. They need those claws to protect themselves and to be able to climb trees. A cat's claws are a very precious thing. declawing a cat would be like cutting ur arms off.

Answer 7

You have a lot of answers here, and I won't read them, but I'd never have it done,,,sigh.

What seems to be an unnatural trend, really TICKS me off, and is most often done to save FURNITURE,,, BIG SIGH.

As a species, who is supposed to be at a higher level of intelligence, and perhaps evolution, we certainly can fall in love with that cute kitten, or pudgy puppy. We so often gather pets impulsively, without much thought to ANY consequences or natural processes that they will go through.

Keep the nails trimmed, get scratch posts, add options to the cats life in the form of toys and interactions, train the animal to NOT do what you feel is inappropriate,,,(Yes cats can be trained)

GOOD OR BAD is relative.. Good or Bad for whom?

Declawing is painful and disfiguring to a cat,,, I don't care what anyone else says here. Beyond that it's completely unnatural, and you will have to have it as an indoor cat forever,,,which I recommend anyway.

If you feel this urge so strongly, do your homework first, even to the point of asking to see surgery that accomplishes this.

Rev. Steven

Answer 8

It's definitely a bad idea. Declawing is not the "simple" procedure it sounds like. It sounds as if only the cat's claws are removed, right? Well, when you think about having your fingernails pulled out, that's bad enough. But declawing involves amputating a small bone in the cat's foot. This is very painful and unnecessary.

Cats need their claws for many things; defense, marking their scent, toning their muscles (which they do while scratching), destressing (it's very therapeutic for them), and itching. Just imagine getting an itch and having no fingernails!

Several behavioral problems can arise after having a cat declawed. Some stop using the litter box because of the way the litter feels on their feet. Others become biters because they feel insecure and helpless, and need to "make up" for the lack of claws.

There are many ways to train a cat to not scratch up your things. Scratching posts and cardboard scratchers (which my cats prefer) can be placed in areas around the home for the cat's enjoyment. If they scratch on furniture or drapes, several disciplinary measures can be taken to train the behavior out of them. If you catch them scratching, a squirt of water from a spray bottle or squirt gun works wonders when training a cat to leave certain things alone. They associate scratching there with the unpleasantness of getting sprayed, and eventually stop. In the rare case that you get a cat who enjoys water, you can use loud noises. An air horn works wonders when you catch a cat doing something they're not supposed to. Just be sure your cat doesn't see you doing it or he/she will associate the "bad" noise with you. And I wouldn't recommend it if you live in an apartment:)

There are also measures you can take to protect your furniture during the training process. Sticky strips can be applied to the edges of furniture (where cats usually enjoy scratching)....they won't like the feel of it on their paws. These can be removed once the cat no longer shows interest in scratching the furniture. There are also plastic plates that can be placed over the edges.

Here is a site with many cat deterent products:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2002+2017

Remember that just because a procedure is still practiced, that doesn't make it right. For the health and happiness of your cat, I stronly suggest you take a less lazy approach and train it....instead of amputating parts of its feet.

And I cannot stand ignorant comments like those from "white boy with a big head". When women endure the pain of labor, it is a natural process. We must endure the pain to give life. The only thing hacking up a cat's feet does is save someone's precious furniture....which is replaceable. A living thing should be more important to someone than an upholstered as*s hammock.

And my 7 year old son can also be very destructive without meaning to be.....maybe I should just take him in to have his hands cut off? Give me a break!

I'm glad you asked this question, though....it shows that you think things through before just doing them:)

Good luck and God bless.

Answer 9

I did have my cat's front claws declawed. I think it was a good decision for us. It was rough watching Rascal heal. He was very sore. Any surgery is painful. He did heal and grabs and bats and doesn't act like he knows he does't have claws in front. He has even caught and held onto a mouse. He even ate it. I would not have done it if Rascal hadn't climbed my legs all the time when he was younger.
He does go outside. I was very hesitent the first few times he went outside. I watched him enjoy himself outside. He even protected himself from my playful puppy. He can climb a tree also.
I hope my experience will help you make a decision. IF you don't have to declaw I wouldn't. What would be your reason?

Answer 10

DO NOT declaw your cat.


Many states have outlawed it because it puts the cat through pain that isn't necessary.

It will cause your cat to get mean and begin biting. Claws are a cat's only defence.