Please don't tell me not to do it. I haven't decided yet. I just want to know if they are too old. They are 2 and 3 years old. Is this too old to get just the front claws done? What alternatives are there? I tried those little things you glue onto the claw. They work fine for 2-3 days, but then they either fall off or are chewed off. Any other ideas? Oh, and they have a scratching post and use it. And we spray them if they use the couch, but they think they are dogs and just laugh at me when I spray them. The main concern is my 8 month old daughter. She is very gentle with them, but sometimes she sneaks over to them and she has had several scratches on her from them. Help! Thanks.
2006-10-10 13:06:12 · 15 answers · asked by happymommy 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
I think you can still get them declawed, I don't think age matters, but check with your vet. I want to get my cats declawed, but my hubby doesn't want me too. I also go a spray from Pet Smart that is called NO SCRATCH, what your suppose to do is spray it on the couch and when they go and scratch it, they get a nasty scent. Its worked so far. But we have to respray it every couple of weeks. Its been saving our couch thank god!
2006-10-10 13:33:10 · answer #1 · answered by A D 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Although some vets will declaw adult cats, there are problems associated with it.
You are worried about the cats scratching your daughter. When you declaw adult cats, you take away their first line of defense and often they do not cope well- so they bite. They remember that they had claws and they get confused and act out.
It also seems to be more painful and bloody for adults, with a longer healing time, and with more personality changes. I am sure you know that declawing is removal of the first 'finger' joint on the paw, not just the nail. in older cats this tissue is harder and more solid than in kittens.
Trimming their claws will help some, 'soft paws' help but your are right, they don't last long. However, you can order a bulk replacement kit (try cat fancy magazine or google 'soft paws') and learn to put them on yourself. It's cheaper than going to the vet and you can fix a lost one rigth away.
As your daughter grows, she will learn to be more and more gentle. However, if your cats are declawed, they may learn to respond to invasions of their personal space (kids do that) by biting.
It's a hard call. Your cats might be fine with late declawing, or they might become very different animals. Once you do it, no matter what you can't undo it though, so if their personalities and behaviors change....?
2006-10-10 21:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Max 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would never declaw Tika. I learned my lesson about declawing after having to get my first cat, Sylvester, declawed so I could keep him in the program I was living in at the time(the stupid head caseworker there said 'declaw or get rid of him' she had her cats declawed......shows what kind of terrible decisions she made residents just to save REPLACEABLE, inexpensive trashy furniture the program had)well, guess what, Sylvester, when he was frustrated or angry, started biting. Now I live in an apartment that is consumer-run and staffed by people who understand cats...
You say the cats scratch the baby. Well, if declawed, the cats will use their teeth instead which is, I know from experience, much more painful and unhealthy. Get 'soft paws' they might not come off like claw caps do. And supervise the baby when she's around the cats..she might grow up to be a cat lover!
2006-10-10 20:54:59 · answer #3 · answered by carledwards99andtonystewart20fan 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No they aren't too old, however I don't recommend declawing at any age. It is very painful procedure and it is actually an amputation not just a claw removal.Many cats that are declawed develope behavioral issues..biting, litterbox avoidance, etc.
Instead of declawing offer scratching posts in different textures (carpet, plain wood, sisal rope, cardboard) and also vertical ones as well as horizontal. I also recommend simply keeping the cats nails trimmed..if you can't or don't want to trim them yourself a groomer or even the vet can do it for you.
2006-10-10 20:34:57 · answer #4 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do think they are too old. I have heard that kittens don't suffer as much from this operation and older cats definitely will. Declawed cats are frequenting surrendered to shelters because they become biters or stop using their litterboxes. I am sure you wouldn't want either of those things to happen.
A cat scratch is infinitely less worrisome than a cat bite. Keep your cats' nails trimmed all the time and they won't hurt the baby.
2006-10-10 20:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
okay there is an alternative to getting your cats declawed. You can go to any pet store or even the vet and have these pad things put on the ends of their claws. I personally do not recommend anyone declawing a cat as this is the only real defense mechnism they have. About your daughter, I am sorry your cats scratch her, but that is what cats do--my cat scratches me and he loves me to death!!
2006-10-10 20:26:30 · answer #6 · answered by katlvr125 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not in favor of declawing at any age, but if it means your cats will lose their home because they have claws, I'd rather see them declawed than either relocated to another home or in a shelter waiting to be euthanized.
If I knew my cats had scratched my 8 month old, I would never allow the baby to be out of my sight especially in the same room with the cats.
2006-10-10 20:41:02 · answer #7 · answered by trusport 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can do it if you need to and I know it is a tough decision. I know it is painful and and they actually take part of their little kitty fingers off, but sometimes in order to keep them and love them you have to do what you have to do. You can't have an animal tearing up your house or scratching your kid. Even after I had mine declawed, the little one STILL "scratches" the sofa. Good luck and make sure they NEVER NEVER NEVER go outside declawed.
2006-10-11 11:27:31 · answer #8 · answered by Sunspot Baby 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have you tried keeping their nails clipped? That's something you can do at home yourself. the vet can show you how far up on the nail you can go. I use the same nail clippers as for humans. My cats cannot stand the type used by vets.
They are not too old but it sure is going to be hard on them and you have the outside chance they may start biting. A very rare thing, but something you need to ask the vet about!
2006-10-10 20:45:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it is possible but of course it is better to do it as young as possible.... but if the water is not working stop using it... try using a pringles can with coins or rocks in it and shake it when they do that, remember things with cats can quickly become a habit, so the sooner you start with preventative messures the better. if you do decide to do it, please go laser it makes them heal faster and causes less pain...what about ttimming or are they really bad with that....?? you can also get most vets to apply the soft claws if you provide them... put a CARDBOARD scratcher right in fornt of the place they tend to scratch, !!!!! put a small strip of sticky tape.. see petsmart or pet co.. good luck...
2006-10-10 20:34:13 · answer #10 · answered by adora 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋