My vet told me six months, but in my research online and through calling other vets, I gather that under six months is best. Anyone have any input here?
2006-10-09 02:53:22 · 26 answers · asked by Melissa H 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I didn't ask for people's opinions on declawing. I asked what age it would be best to do. My dog and cat play very rough, and I'm afraid the cat will scratch his eyes by accident- this cannot be helped by clipping his nails. I also have scars all over my legs from his playing with his claws. I'm not doing this because I'm worried about my furniture- I'm doing it for the protection of my other animals and the children I will have in the future. I love my cat more than anything, and I don't appreciate people telling me that I'm a terrible owner. He's the most spoiled animal I know, except maybe my dog, and declawing him doesn't change that.
2006-10-11 15:05:22 · update #1
if you want to get it done earlier and another vet is willing, then switch vets, if it doesn't matter, then there isn't any harm in waiting.
2006-10-09 02:55:16 · answer #1 · answered by Meggz21 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Please don't amputate your kitties toes!
"
What Kitty Goes Through for You
Go look here.....then read ahead...http://www.declawhallofshame.com/wst_page3.php?idx=1&file=images/Bad_Declaw_post-op_WEB.jpg&&ID2=x4F6eI
This procedure is not easy for a cat to endure. They cannot use the same litter as before until their wounds heal. They cannot walk normally, if at all, until their little paws heal. They are heavily bandaged (see image 2) and groggy after the anesthesia. Pain killers aren’t typically given to owners for their animals, so these creatures suffer immensely.
This procedure is given in detail by Scott Baker (see Resources). First, the cat is given a general anesthetic and the fur surrounding the cat's paws is shaved off. A tourniquet is placed around the leg, and the nail area is rinsed with alcohol. The actual amputation is performed by making a cut across the first joint (possible involving the foot pad) using a guillotine type nail cutter. The area is then tightly bandaged to prevent hemorrhage. The bandaging can be removed two to three days after the surgery.
These surgeries don't always go as planned. Cats paws can become infected, and in some cases the claws can grow back, resulting in more surgery and pain for the poor animal. "http://mallerneem.tripod.com/id1.html
Go here for pics of a declawing procedure..and to get educated about it.
http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html
I don't know why people think this is such a simple thing such as clipping the claw or just removing the claw...They actually cut and remove part of the bone in the cats toes...and it is painful for the kitties...If you love your kitties do not hurt them by amputating their toes!
Go read the horror stories on these websites...especially the one on the source page...
2006-10-09 05:26:14 · answer #2 · answered by lunarbuni 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Young, yes. Do it when they're young so that they can better adjust. But declawing is always a last resort. You are removing the cat's primary source of defense against other cats. It can never be let out again. Also, the cat won't know that it has no claws: it still needs a scratching post to vent its clawing instincts on. Think long and hard before you declaw. B.
2006-10-09 02:59:41 · answer #3 · answered by Brian M 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure, but if wating is OK for you, wait. Also, is there another way that you can solve this problem? Can you get something like soft claws nail caps. Declawing can be painful for the cat and makes it unable to really be a cat. Can you train your cat by squirting it with a water pistol if it scratches things? Declawing should only be used as a last resort to any other POSSIBLE way. Can you put a plasic or wax paper over what you don't want your cat to scratch? Declawing should only be used if you cannot find anothre way to help your problem. Why do you need your cat declawed in any case. Have you lived with it long enough do really determine if you can do anything else with your cat? Try to wait a little longer and try other methods first. Don't be cruel to the kitty. DO NOT DECLAW, YOU ARE CUTTING OFF ITS TOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!How would YOU like it if a giant came in and cut off YOUR toes?!?!?!?!?! Cats could have problems later in life and most likely will if you declaw it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE don't be cruel to the kitty!!!!!!!
2006-10-09 03:06:08 · answer #4 · answered by opengirl 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Cats can be trained not to claw furniture, carpet and other inappropriate objects. Besides, I gather that your cat is still a kitten. If so, then he/she has not yet formed bad habits that cannot be addressed by training. If you do not think you have the time nor inclination to train your cat, then I seriously think you do not deserve to have a cat. No cat should have to be declawed. Go get a dog or hampster. If I could, I'd tell your cat to run away and find himslef a better owner who love and accept him the way God designed him.
Not sorry at all about the "sermn" but you asked for it.
2006-10-09 03:31:15 · answer #5 · answered by Phoebhart 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Never!
Declawing is unnaturally cruel and painful. It's not as if they were clipping the cat's claws/nails, they're AMPUTATING (REMOVING) part of the cat's bones. It's like chopping off your fingers so that your nails won't grow anymore.
I could go on and on about why NOT do declaw a cat, but I won't, because I'm sure that other people on this site will.
Please, just DON'T have it done.
2006-10-09 03:06:13 · answer #6 · answered by Eloise 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You can start training a kitten not to use its claws inappropriately at three months. No kitten should be declawed. That operation is outlawed in all the countries of Western Europe and many vets in the US will not now do it.
2006-10-09 02:58:00 · answer #7 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds to me like you're just waiting for the answer YOU'RE looking for...not the correct one. Your vet would know.
Has your kitten been using her claws inappropriately or are you just doing the whole declawing bit because it's en vogue or because you simply don't want to invest the time necessary to deter that kind of behavior without performing such an incredibly cruel procedure?
Maybe you ought to rethink your decision to have a cat?
2006-10-09 03:03:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it's a good idea to declaw a cat. They won't be able to defend themselves when they need to. Train your cat to use a scratching post early.
2006-10-09 07:14:25 · answer #9 · answered by buddingrose92 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why declaw your cat? Your cat is meant to have claws. It's unnecessary surgery and you would be taking its natural defence away. Furniture worries? Cats are not stupid and are quick to learn. Buy a scrathing post or a straw mat - my cats love to claw this. Please rethink this. I mean if you had a toddler who drew on your wall would you chop his fingertips off ? Declawing is cruel and very painful.
2006-10-09 05:21:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you are getting they fixed do it at the same time it will same on the vet bill. I thought my cat was 6 months
2006-10-09 04:49:11 · answer #11 · answered by smallsassy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋