Please, only answer if you have a cat that was declawed or know someone who had their cat declawed. I have a young cat I took in from outside when he was a kitten. I think he is about 7 months old, no more than 8. He is a scratcher. I have tried everything that vets, friends, and books have suggested. He has a scratching post. I have had cats all my life and never seen a cat scrath like this! I can't put up with this forever. I'm at my wits end. I tried those softclaws things and they just kept falling off. I've also tried keeping his nailed trimmed, and then I tried not trimming them (so he wouldn't feel like he needed to sharpen them). One last detail, he is a strictly indoor cat. I have had only indoor cats for 23 years, so he is safe. I am also not willing to give him to a shelter, he is otherwise a very sweet and loving cat. Anyway, is cat declawing safe enough or worth the risk?
2006-11-18 04:06:10 · 17 answers · asked by I Can Preach Too! 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes it is. I have a 2 year old cat that when he was 8 weeks he got declawed. He was a scratcher. After his surgery he was a little sore in the paws but in just a few days he is fine. He still has the scratching urge all the time. It is so cute. He still uses the scratching post but never does any harm to it. His paws feel really cool too!
2006-11-18 04:15:04 · answer #1 · answered by prechemad 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
I have really mixed feelings about your situation. So many of the cats at the shelter I volunteered at were declawed. It doesn't seem fair to the cat that it went through that and ended up at a shelter anyway. I also understand wanting to have nice things in the house and not being able to because you have a little terror in the house. I have 3 cats but they don't sharpen indoors--they all do it outside on the nearest tree.
anyway, good luck with the decision.
2006-11-18 04:32:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
as long as your cat will not be going outside, he should be fine. I had a fluffy black cat who wouldn' quit scratching everything it could! No matter what toys we bought him, it was still my furniture that got the scratching. We only had his front claws done however, as having all four paws is just cruel, and in some states they won't do all four. Make sure you know what the healing time is, and have some shredded newspaper on hand as they won't be able to use litter for a few weeks. The litter could get into the surgical cuts and infect them. My cat also kept scratching everything after he was declawed, however my furniture was safe!!! Also, he developed this habit of licking his front paws a lot! Almost like he expected his claws to come back if he licked them enough...lol, so make sure you ask the vet what you'll need to do to help your cat with the transition.
2006-11-18 04:13:51 · answer #3 · answered by mercymarie3 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm not sure if you should. My friend declawed you cat and after the cat trusted people to touch his paws. Although she did only the 2 front paws. But, since yours is a out door cat you shouldn't have a problem. Because if she were to be an outdoor cat then she would have no way of protecting herself only by her teeth. Especially if she has a litter. I wouldn't declaw my cat.
2006-11-18 04:52:01 · answer #4 · answered by Adeline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had cats all my life and they have all been declawed. I have three young kids and do not want them to scratch the kids. They have all been indoor cats. Yes in the begining it looks painful there little paws and to see them try to scratch with no claws is pathetic but it is not the end of the world.
2006-11-18 05:52:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We have 3 declawed cats. If i knew about all the alternatives before I would have never wanted them to be declawed. See if you are using the soft paws right. If you can, see if a groomer or vet can show you how to do it right. IF you must declaw, consider the laser surgery, its supposed to be a little easier on them. If he is not neutered yet, get him neutered and declawed at the same time, its alot easier on them. Good luck.
2006-11-18 18:16:32 · answer #6 · answered by mushroompumpkin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I bred cats for many years, and gave one to my Dad who had him de-clawed. It changed his temperament completely. It was pitiful to watch him try to scratch at things with clawless feet. You can never let him outside because the other cats will hurt him. On the good side he was a loving pet, but a bit neurotic. Have you tried a cat tree? They are larger than scratching posts (I never had a cat use one of those anyway). Many people think de-clawing is humane but I have my doubts.
2006-11-18 04:15:44 · answer #7 · answered by lorrock2002 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My parents have cats and I also have a cat, all of which have been declawed. It is highly worth it. My parents had their cats declawed when they were kittens and I adopted my cat when she was a full grown adult kitty, sure it'll hurt them for a little while, just as human surgery hurts us for awhile. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
2006-11-18 18:18:21 · answer #8 · answered by Barb 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do it, it IS worth it. I have always believed that if an animal's bad behavior could make you resent them, then there's no reason not to correct it. Besides I have known a lot of cats who were declawed and they never even seemed to notice.
2006-11-18 04:18:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
We always had cats and my daughters now have cats of their own. ALL of these were/are indoor cats and ALL were/are declawed. I would never have a cat with claws in my home. Just have it done - there is no downside. Good luck!
2006-11-18 04:15:42 · answer #10 · answered by love2travel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋