Now, before anybody says anything mean or rude, I love my cats as if they were my children. They have the best of care, and always stay indoors. I have two cats, and there's no chance of them getting outside, as I live in a 3rd story apartment, so if they ran out the front door they'd be stuck in the little hallway and I could easily catch them. They're both already declawed in the front, but they're still scratching the furniture, mostly the tabletops, when they run! Has anyone else had their cats back claws removed? If so, what was your experience like? I don't really want to put them through surgery again, but getting rid of them is not an option, and neither is getting my expensive furniture scratched!
2006-10-07 09:57:25 · 18 answers · asked by justme 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
First of all, anyone that knows me knows that I love my cats. Screw all of you who called me cruel and "half retarded," etc. You don't even know me. I'm probably a hell of a lot more considerate than you are! I'm trying to get answers, and you're acting like a bunch of assholes. Thank you, however, to everyone that was able to give me a legitimate answer.
2006-10-09 20:33:30 · update #1
I wouldn't do it. Declawing is an amputation, pure and simple. A cat's back legs are used for balance much more than their front legs. I suggest using soft paws (available from vets and, I think, pet stores since I've never used them). They are soft plastic tips that you glue onto a cat's freshly trimmed claws. It's a two person job unless your cats are really cooperative, but the plastic tips keep them from scratching for around six weeks.
You have to hold the cat for ten minutes after application so the glue can dry. You'll have angry kitties, but it's better than amputating.
2006-10-07 10:10:18 · answer #1 · answered by freedomnow1950 5 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I too, have had the front claws removed on my 2 cats. They still have the back ones though. I am glad I didn't, because when I watch them scratch and itch, they are probably glad they still have them too. Would trimming the nails work to round them out,rather than having them at a point. Ask your vet if they do nail trimming. I would give that a try before declawing. Use that as a last resort. Good luck.
2006-10-07 10:50:26 · answer #2 · answered by Mimiat41 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I hope you won't put the cats through another surgery. I would just cover the tabletops with a cloth, if it is the coffee table I would use a spray bottle to let them know that table is a no-no. Just exclude them from the living and dining rooms when you are away. They will get used to being in a bedroom by themselves for part of the day.
2006-10-07 10:45:37 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
declawing is amputation. I do not really support it. Try and trimming your cat's back claws every two weeks or so and get them a post to climb (yes even if front paws a declawed they can climb) and it will help use up a bit of the claws on the back as they climb. But before amputating more or your cats paws please try clipping them? Your vet can help you and teach you how to do it and it's not that hard!
2006-10-07 10:47:55 · answer #4 · answered by fierequebecoiseauusa 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I adopted a cat (Mickey) that is declawed front and back. He has a hard time scratching his itches (more or less pounds them with his foot) but that is the only noticeable problem he has. He walks just fine, runs just fine... My other adopted cat has not been declawed at all. He (George) is smaller than Mickey and moved in and took over the alpha spot. Of course Mickey is rather obese (26 pounds worth of blubber) and that had a lot to do with George taking over. They both get along, George will be losing his claws (front only) as soon as I have the cash on hand to do it.
I wouldn't get a cat declawed in the back unless he used them for hurting people. I would put something on your table that would either protect it from claws or scare the Kitties off of it. Drsfostersmith.com have a lot of things in that category. There are static mats that give a little shock of static electricity when kitty steps on them, that scares them off of things.
When they lose the back claws they completely lose all ability to defend themselves. My cats have always been declawed in the front, but Mickey is the only one who has no claws in the back.
2006-10-07 10:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by Lola 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Declawing is excruitiatingly painful for cats. Putting them through such torture just to save a piece of furniture (no matter how expensive it is) is beyond our comprehension.
You could try putting card table covers (the thick covers with elastic around the base of them) over your tables to protect the finish while the cats are otu and about.
2006-10-07 10:29:12 · answer #6 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Before you put them through this traumatic and painful surgery, read these links, then go to one of the supply links I've attached and buy some of those claw covers:
Articles on declawing:
Excellent article on declawing; also cat posts & how to train your cat.
http://www.stevedalepetworld.com/images/stories/declawing.pdf
http://www.declawing.com/
VET SUPPLIES:
www.jefferspet.comJeffers Vet Supplies (Dr. Jeffers & vet techs answer questions, too)
www.petedge.com/PetEdge
www.drsfostersmith.comDrs. Foster & Smith
2006-10-07 10:05:49 · answer #7 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried just trimming their nails? That could help a lot. I'm sure your cats would be just fine without their back claws but no matter what precautions you take, there's always a chance they could get outside.
2006-10-07 10:15:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Please don't have your cats paws declawed. I think this is very cruel and it is very traumatic & painful for your cats.They need their claws to scratch themselves. I have 3 cats and none of them are declawed, I can't even think about doing this. One of them had an accident involving her back claw, she ended up having to have it pulled out. She didn't enjoy this at all let me tell you. So please think twice about doing this. Think long and hard.
2006-10-09 06:00:11 · answer #9 · answered by purcat333 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We found a cat in a hole full of pokey's and some of the thorns cut him up really bad so we took him in and had him declawed but not by choice. He was in so much pain... =( So now he's ours and we couldn't be happier. (We didn't even like cats before this.) But that's just so inhumane. I wouldn't want anyone to pull off my fingernails just because they didn't me like to scratch the furniture. Let alone pull off my toenails too. And you say you love your cats. Give me a break!! What is more important to you?
I bet children should be seen and not heard either.
2006-10-07 10:11:29 · answer #10 · answered by lamb1211 1 · 4⤊ 2⤋