Negatives about Getting Cat Declawed?

Question

Our indoor cat has started scratching up our furniture and my husband wants to get her declawed. My friend said that this sometimes changes their personality and I don't want a mean cat! Is this true and do you know any other drawbacks to getting her declawed? She rarely goes outside and we don't have any other pets.

Answer 1

scratching is a natural behavior of cats and that cats may be defenseless without full use of their claws if they, either intentionally or unintentionally, go outdoors. Scratching damage to household furnishings can be minimized or avoided by routine clipping of the claws, the use of claw covers and by redirecting the cat's activity to acceptable surfaces.
the declawing of cats (onychectomy ) and the severing of digital tendons (tendonectomy) are elective surgical procedures that are without benefit to the cat. Because of the discomfort associated with any surgery and potential future behavioral or physical effects, i personally disapprove of routine declawing or tendonectomy surgery in lieu of alternative solutions to prevent household damage. In certain situations, including high risk of injury or disease transmission to owners with bleeding disorders or compromised immune systems, declawing may be justified in order to maintain the cat-human bond.

The most common surgical procedure, onychectomy, or "declawing", is amputation of the claw and the end toe bone joint. The surgery has a reputation for causing pain for a week or more and the possibility of postoperative complications, such as infection, hemorrhage, nail regrowth and altered feeling in the toes for some time after surgery. There is disagreement as to whether declawing leads to behavioral problems in cats. There is concern for the welfare of cats who can not defend themselves or climb to safety if they are able to go outside. A declawed cat will still scratch but without damage to furnishings.

An alternative surgical procedure, deep digital flexor tendonectomy, was first described by John Rife, DVM (Journal AAHA, Jan/Feb 1988). This surgery involves severing the tendon attached to the end toe digit but maintaining the claw in the sheath. It is not possible to detect the surgery visually but the cat is no longer able to extend the claws. The technique limits the cat's ability to damage surfaces when scratching as long as the claws are kept trimmed. It is less painful (cats recover within 2 days) and it has minimal postoperative risks. However, ongoing claw trimming is a must or the cat can use its claws again to some degree and there is a risk of ingrowth into the paw pads. Some veterinarians have reported joint fusion and arthritis problems. The technique has not been favored by most veterinarians mainly because of the above negative factors and the potential of the client's dissatisfaction and ultimate desire for declawing.

Behavioral aspects:

Animal behaviorists currently believe that the main function of scratching for the cat is communication. It is natural, instinctual behavior. Scratching involves not only leaving a visual mark but it is an attention getting, happiness display. Ideally the cat should be encouraged in this behavior; however, because of damage to furnishings, most cat owners reach a compromise with the cat by claw clipping and redirecting to other acceptable surfaces or using the relatively new claw guards, and most cats are adaptable enough to accept this arrangement. In addition cats raised by pedigreed cat breeders can be deterred even further by early kitten handling. (My own experience indicates that scratching becomes an ingrained habit which initially surfaces at the time a 4 or 5 week old kitten becomes aware of the magic of its claws when he pulls himself over the kitten box. This is when all cat habits, like use of the litter box, start to develop.) Breeders can greatly minimize the scratching habit, and associated problems, by not allowing access to attractive home furnishing surfaces (i.e. fabrics, carpet) and by only making acceptable scratching surfaces available, such as cardboard or rope posts, until the kitten reaches the age of 8 to 10 weeks. Cattery raised kittens can have good scratching habits ingrained during this early period

Answer 2

That is a really bad idea considering there are so many alternatives to declawing a cat. Many people do not fully understand what is involved in a declawing. They do not just rip out the nails, they actually amputate the first knuckle of the cat fingers. Just imagine how that would feel for you if someone sawed off the tips of your fingers. I considered declawing my cat at first until I became more educated about it. I found that "bad cat water" (a spray bottle filled with water) works the best when kitty is scratching things she should not. Also, you could get her a nice sctratching post with cat nip. When you see her scratching, pick her up and put her in front of the approved scratching area. You could put double sided taped on the areas where she likes to scratch or spray something that she thinks smells bad on the area. If she is a stylish kitty, you could invest in some soft claws. They are like lee press on nails for cats but they are made of rubber. She can scratch all she wants and it won't hurt the furniture (and they come in festive colors). My advice is to become educated on exactly what is involved in a declaw, especially if she will be going outdoors at all. If you declaw her, you take away her defenses.

Answer 3

Don't do it! There are nothing BUT negatives to declawing.
-Her personality WILL change, and she won't be happy.
-She can get infections from her litter box.
-She will probably be in pain for the rest of her life.
-She could end up with a permanent limp or curled feet.

De-clawing doesn't just remove the claw- it involves cutting off the top knuckle on a cat's foot. It is a severely maiming operation, and it's disgusting that they even still allow it. There are a million other ways to keep your cat from your furniture without doing this to her.

-Train her to use scratching posts.
-Trim her nails short, so they don't do as much damage.
-Try Soft Claws nail covers (I use these, and they work wonders!)
-Use No-Scratch spray, Feliway Calming Spray, or a squirt gun as training aids.

Here are some websites (some may be graphic, but it is a graphic surgery), do a little research and you'll realize there's no reason to put your baby through this.

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/declaw.html

http://www.everycreaturecounts.org/declaw.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Is-Declawing-Bad-For-Your-Cat?&id=183310

http://amby.com/cat_site/cattrain.html

http://www.softclaws.com

http://www.handicappedpets.com/Articles/declaw/index.html

Please read this information and think long and hard before you do this. It's really not the solution you think it is.

Answer 4

You can clip the tips of her claws weekly or you can get her a scratching post at a pet store and teach her to use it. Getting some catnip spray and putting it on it will help. Place her paws on it GENTLY and make scratching motions. Make sure the post is secure or she probably won't use it.

Fill a squirt bottle or gun with water. When she goes to scratch the furniture squirt her. But it's very important NEVER to let her see that you are the one that's squirting her otherwise she will just not scratch when you are around.

You can also purchase a citrus spray that cats don't like and which will repel them away from the furniture.

Cats scratch to sharpen their claws and to remove the old sheath over their claws as the new one grows in so if you give them an place to do this they'll probably leave your furniture alone.

I think declawing is cruel. They actually cut off the end of each toe up to the first joint. If your child broke something, would you cut off it's finger tips to the first joint?

Answer 5

I suggest that you discuss this with your animal's Veterinarian. We had always been "dog people" and when we got our first cat, I discussed front declawing with our Vet. She is an inside cat. He discouraged me because he said that declawing a cat is the same as removing the first joint from each of our fingers. Imagine what that would feel like! So, instead, I bought another scratching post for my cat and as soon as I see her starting to scratch at furniture, I move her to one of the scratching posts. It's not stopped completely, but it's much better now. Good luck!

Answer 6

A cat's claws are used for balance, for exercising, and for stretching the muscles in the legs, back, and paws. Scratching is also used to mark a cat's territory.

A cat's claw is the anatomic equal of the last bone or digit of the human finger or toe. Therefore, declawing is the equivalent to amputating the first digit of a person's finger or toe.

A 1994 study by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that of 163 cats who endured declaw surgery, 50% had one or more complications immediately after surgery. Of the 121 cats whose progress was followed after surgery, 20% had continued complications, such as infection, bone protrusion into the pad of the paw, and prolonged intermittent lameness and abnormal stance (standing posture).

Answer 7

My first cat was declawed when given to me (her owner moved). She got along just fine indoors but she loved to try and squeeze her way out and that's where she had problems. She had trouble jumping as high as other cats, and she seemed self-concious about certain things, she was grumpy towards other cat inside or out, I believe she knew she had no chance of defending herself so it made her mad or jealous. Sometimes she would make her way outside and get lost and finally come back torn to bits, she lived a long life, but don't get the cat declawed, instead invest some time looking around Petsmart and PetCo, they have an item called SoftPaws, you can also look it up. You clip the cat's nails and slide a soft rubbery tip over the rest of the nail. No more shredding your favorite furniture. If the cat makes it outdoors the tips can come off and it can defend itself.

Answer 8

Try soft paws a commercial product that covers the nail and keeps furniture safe. Declawing is amputation and is painful especially in large cats ( over 8 pounds). I have applied soft paws for many of my clients and they are very happy with the results. The key is proper application. Mine usually have to be trimmed off and then new applied. If it comes to relinquishing the cat or declawing, a cat with a good home is better, so please do what ever it takes. Ask for pain meds if it is an adult and don't take they don't need it for an answer.

Answer 9

Ouch! declawing a cat is like cutting off a person's fingers. Also if the cat ever becomes a stray or ever accidentally leaves the home it won't be able to defend itself. A wonderful alternative is getting some clippers and just clipping off the tips of the claws. No surgery and no harm to anyone.. except it may annoy the cat lol.

Answer 10

I definitely think it is cruel. My husband and I just clip our cat's claws (also an indoor cat). This takes less than 10 minutes and you do it every 6 to 8 weeks. It's not stressful to the cat and you don't have to disfigure the cat either. De-clawing is an archaic and lazy answer to a cat scratching the furniture. Get some scratching posts, spray some catnip on them and there you go.

Answer 11

ok yes there are many risks
- infection or popping open of the stitches
there are different methods used by different vets but generally its like removing the last knuckle on your fingers... its not just removal of the nail.
- refusal to use their litter box.. either short term or permanent - because their paws hurt when digging
-behavioral change is THE MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECT.... declawed cats often develop a heightened "flight or fight" response.. meaning they either become more shy and timid or more agressive... bitting becomes common and the cat will react to lesser provocation than a non-declawed cat
-risks of going outside.. include they will NOT want to show weakness so they WILL try to fight anything....

ALTERNATIVES - provide cat furniture and move it around to encourage use
invest in SOFT PAWS>. these are claw covers you can buy (sold under different names too ) they glue onto the claws, you only need them on front feet) I have heard AMAZING things about this product

or simply accept that furniture is for sitting on.. and the scratches havent changed its functionality....

declawing should ONLY be used as a last resort to euthanasia...