If I have my cat (Elvis) declawed, what personality changes are likely?

Question

He's 5 years old -- doesn't go outside anymore, but likes to look outside

Answer 1

He might start singing the blues.

Answer 2

Having a cat declawed isn't fair on the cat. Even though they're sedated, it IS a traumatic experience, and some cats never recover.

First of all, declawing a cat is a little bit like /pulling/ your nails out, something that always has been considered a very good means of torture. Even if they don't feel it right away, it takes a while to heal up, and their paws are likely to be a lot more sensitive, meaning they get hurt from their normal activities.
Many declawed cats refuse to use the litter box simply because it hurts too much to scratch the sand.
The claws won't ever grow back either, so the cat is permanently mutilated.

If the reason you're thinking of having him declawed is because of scratching, there are plenty of other ways to get him to stop scratching furniture, even if it can be a bit more difficult to teach an older cat who already has that habit.
I've never seen them myself, but I've seen others recommend something called "soft paws" or "soft claws" which is some sort of plastic cover or glue that you fasten to your cats claws so the claws are blunted. It has to be done now and then, of course, since it wears off.
Cutting your cat's claws (just like you cut your nails) is also a good thing, as long as you keep to the white/seethrough parts of their claws so you don't cut into the root of it (that HURTS, and can damage the cat).

I'd also like to leave a comment to the others who have "answered" this question. Why would you bother even replying if you're not going to say anything useful? I find that kind of behaviour extremely annoying and rude.
If you ask (for example) in math class what 315+54 is, you don't want to hear "Well, it's not 23509235, at least", do you?

Answer 3

Here is some info for you:

http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm

http://www.treehouseanimals.org/Tree%20House%20Site-E-D.htm

In the past we had two cats declawed and regretted it. Now I understand how a cat needs its claws for balance, grooming and self-protection if it ever got outdoors. Our cats became introverted and played very little, preferring to sit or sleep. Neither liked their paws touched afterwards. There are nerve endings just like in your fingertips that seem to become irritated in some cats.

We use SoftPaws - they're like nail tips and work very well to protect furniture. On the screen door I have a piece of plexiglass that slides between the slider and the screen.

If a cat should become injured or arthritic, the ability to climb, play and maintain good balance to the entire skeleton is highly important.

Our new cat is a year old now and he's not declawed and he's so playful it's hilarious - he has a tall climbing tree that he just loves and I think the fact he's so laid back and fun is that he was never declawed like the other two.

Answer 4

A declawed cat can start biting, hiding, acting aggressive, avoiding the litterbox.

Declawing is not recommended for any age cat but in particular an older cat like yours. It is very hard on them. Also declawing is an amputation and it is very painful.

Declawing is NOT at all like having your nails pulled out, it is like amputating YOUR fingers at the first joint past your fingernail. The cat will be losing not just the claws but part of each one of it's toes.
Declawing should NOT be done just for the convenience of the owner and their furniture..if prize prize their furniture over their cat then maybe a cat is not the best pet for them.

Keeping nails trimmed, supplying various types and textures of scratching posts (sisal rope, carpet, cardboard, plain wood) and both horizontal and vertical posts or using a product like soft paws go a long way in helping the problem. Also double sided tape or furniture guards work well too.

Answer 5

Lots of vets who still declaw don't recommend it after 2 years of age. Too much trauma to the tissue. Very painful. Declawing has been shown to cause arthritis in cats even though owners of declawed cats ignore or deny it. Declawing at an older age may increase the severity, I'd think, because of the cat's weight on the tissue after surgery.

Most people I've met who resorted to declawing because they couldn't get their cats to stop clawing didn't commit to any humane efforts.

Answer 6

First and formost talk with your vet.

My cats are declawed and seem fine.

Other cats I've had were declawed and did fine.

There will probably be more effect from staying inside than having him declawed.

I tried as another person has stated (no disrespect intended), to not declaw my cats and it really didn't work. I didn't do everything they are saying but I did most of it. Ended up as just a lot of fighting between me and the cat along with my furniture being destroyed. (even with mutliple scratching post availalbe).

But like I say, please don't take my word but talk with your vet about declawing. I would really rather not do it but I like my furniture and my cats too much.

By the way you only have to have the fronts removed.

Answer 7

How previous is your cat? this could be a ingredient interior the call to declaw. I even have continuously had mine finished as kittens, and have not had any problems. they are all candy and playful....they are all turning out to be older (7 to sixteen years), yet they by no ability did substitute into propose or moody from being declawed. If he's an person, his weight on his paws would be painful and be slower to heal. in case you prefer to bypass forward with the declaw, examine to be sure what discomfort administration your vet makes use of. i bypass to a VCA wellness center and that they use a discomfort patch that they positioned on approximately 12 hours formerly surgical operation. The final cat I had finished substitute into neutered and declawed. I visited him one million one million/2 hours after surgical operation and he batted me along with his bandaged paws and performed with me! He by no ability had any problems. restoration time for all of them substitute right into a pair of week, 2 on the main. he would be saved interior the wellness center a minimum of in one day so his paws could be checked formerly he's despatched abode. i could try the soft paws first. Like one individual pronounced they'd complicated to positioned on. maximum puppy groomer can do this for you so examine with them to be sure what they fee. If I bear in ideas properly, they final for greater or less 40 5-60 days. The soft paw is glued on his claws using a large glue style adhesive. the fantastic decision could be made once you and your mom and dad communicate the declaw surgical operation mutually with your vet. solid success and purrs to kitty.

Answer 8

Why would you want to declaw an already 5 year old cat? have you discussed this with your veterinarian?

Answer 9

Don't do it.
It is essentially amputating the cat's toes at the first knuckle. If you are worried about your furniture or young ones, get into a routine of trimming the cat's toes every few days. You can dull the nails by carefully trimming the ends, and the cat won't be able to damage anything or anyone. You can also get the cat a post or perch (next to a window preferably), rub it with cat nip, and he'll hover around this as his new hangout.
Cats with amputated claws tend to have hip and/or shoulder problems later on (affects their gait).

Answer 10

He would most like become a pill attack, put on about 200 pounds, and die while sitting on the toilet.
A few years down the line, they'll make stamp of him, and almost everyone will prefer the Elvis before he was declawed.

Answer 11

Elvis will do fine when he's declawed. No personality change. No more scratches on furniture.