declawing a cat?

Question

I have 2 cats who are not declawed, the building i live in is giving me trouble about this, so i have decided to move. However every apartment building in my town is making this a requirement. If my cats were kittens, then i would have them declawed, however they are 4 year and 10 years old so i know that it is not a good idea to have them declawed. The managers that i have talked to don't care that its not safe and i even offered to get soft claws for my cats, is there anyway i can fight this rule?

And I can't tell them the cats aren't declawed because the places require proof that the cats are fixed and declawed.

I live in st. cloud and the apartments here do get that specific, and my credit is not good enough to rent a house. i am on a budget of 600 maxium a month for an apartment.

Answer 1

Declawing cats? Oh, that's so sick! Cruel and evil, people who do that should be locked up. I'm sure this is common practice here in UK, guess you are in barbaric US

Answer 2

This is a really, really tough decision for you! You don't say how long you've been living in that apt. If you moved there from another place where you rented, you may be able to get a recommendation from there on how non-destructive your cats are (assuming they Didn't tear the place up). Another thing you might try if you can afford it, is to offer an extra month security deposit which would be refundable if the cats have not caused any damage for the time you are living there.
I suppose as last resort, you could consider adopting them out to someone that owns a house. If you absolutely cannot part with your cats and resort to having them declawed, make sure you go to a vet that has plenty of experience with the procedure. Take into consideration thier personalities as well. If you have a nervous or neurotic type cat, it may not forgive you for having this done. A more outgoing cat will most likely get over it though. These cats are your responsibility and you obviously love them or you wouldn't be looking for options. You are the one who knows them best and can tell what is really best for them.
My heart goes out to you.

Answer 3

You can declaw them but it is very painful at their age, and with the older cat he would have to use a special anesthesia because of his age. The best thing I would say is to keep looking for places to live, heck if your credit is okay it sometimes is the same amount (or less) to make payments on owning a house as it is paying rent, and if you own the house you can make what ever rules you want. If not I would tell the people that argue with you about declawing them How would you like getting the tips of your fingers cut off? In escence thats what we do when we declaw them, thats why we recommend declawing early in life when the tips of their fingers are cartilage and not bone. It makes it a little less painful for them. I hope my ideas have helped a little. Good luck

Answer 4

I would definately say that the 10 year cat is too old for this procedure. Going under sedation is risky especially at this age and even though it's required for some surgeries, it would be harder on her to recover. The 4 year old however would be fine. That's how old my Precious was when we had her done. (judge me if you will but you don't know my situation as it was a very last resort) I agree with the poster that said to offer an extra security deposit to cover any damages to see if that makes them feel better or try to find a small house to rent rather than an apartment. I know eher I live they are starting to require this as well or not allowing animals at all. Personally I don't get it because cats usually tear up furniture not walls and why would they care if they tore up your furniture? I can see worrying about the carpet even though in the 30 eyasr that I've owned cats, I have yet have 1 tear up carpeting unless it was a throw rug! If you do opt for declawing, please try to find a vet that can give you references and does laser surgery and has PLENTY of experience. Precious was declawed using laser and was walking and running the minute she came home, was completely fine wasn't even weary of being touched or having her paws touched (when I checked on her) but we recently had to declaw our Cody (another long story but suffice it to say, many infections and this was his best resort) but the vet told me they did laser (different vet) and they didn't. HORRIBLE experience, tons of pain, bleeding, and gaping open wounds. NEVER AGAIN!

Answer 5

Ask your vet to write a letter, highlighting your concerns (and his/hers) regarding declawing your cats. It's not a necessary procedure, and as many people have already stated, it's not only expensive, but potentially harmful to your animals.
The more professional opinions you get regarding this, the better. Do some research! Print off as much information as you can find along with the letter from your vet, a groomer, whomever handles your animals on a regular basis (maybe a kennel owner).
In addition, offer again to use the soft paws or pay a slightly higher security deposit.
Most landlords, when presented with these options or the option of not renting their property, will be more reasonable. I've faced similar problems, and once the rental company saw the letters from my vet and groomer, they backed down.

Answer 6

I tried to read up on any kind of surgery for older cats, and the consensus seems 50/50 on whether a 10 y.o. should have any surgery. I'd check w/your vet. I'm sure the 4 y.o. would be fine.

Declawing the front paws and leaving the back ones alone is not cruel as long as your cats are strictly indoors. I didn't want to do it, but my cat DESTROYED most of my wood furniture and 1/2 of my walls before I gave in when he was about 2. Before I declawed him, I tried everything short of getting rid of him or killing him to get him to stop. He didn't care. Now I don't care what he "scratches" (he's never stopped). I declawed my other cat because it seemed cruel to allow the one to "claw" and not the other. You just have to use shredded newspaper instead of cat litter of any kind while the paws heal, changing it at least 1x/day so the cat doesn't get an infection.

Answer 7

Keep looking for another apartment. Try another town. Do you really want to live in an apartment building that is run by people who don't understand what declawing consists of?? I wouldn't. I have NEVER heard of a place demanding that the cats be fixed and declawed. I HAVE heard of places requiring you to leave an extra security deposit in case the animal destroys stuff but that's it.

Where do you live because I am going to make sure that I NEVER move there!!!

Go to this website and print out the article.

http://www.declawing.com/

Mail it anonymously to the people that run "all the apartment buildings in your town". Then continue looking for another place to live if you want to keep your cats. If having to make the choice between declawing them and giving them away, PLEASE give them away. Then maybe you can adopt a cat from a shelter that was sadly declawed by someone that didn't know any better.

Good luck.

Answer 8

Your cat has for sure been very spooked by something and being particular needs he continues to be very traumatised a fortnight later. Did all people come into your position who would harm or frighten him ? Or did something take position outdoors, like a noisy bang ? provide him time to quiet down lower back.Declawing him will be very merciless,believe me you'll finally end up with a lot worse complications. ok a scratch isn't effective yet as somebody else already reported, a chew is way worse ! i'd recommend a examine up on the vets even with the undeniable fact that the shape would freak him out even extra. i imagine i'd provide him time, do not %. him up or let the youngsters play with him, provide him some area and note how he is going. I do agree that even with the actual incontrovertible reality that it will be undesirable to take him lower back to the preserve, more effective that than declawing him as a minimum of with claws he has possibility of yet another abode.

Answer 9

good and bad

well i think your 10 year old cat is to old to get declawed. I believe their is a age requirement .the vet doesn't like to declaw after a certain age .But maybe ,,the other cat of 4 yrs. old can Don't wait to long. also the cat only ,get the front claws done .They need the backs for balance. also if they ever got out they would need the backs for fighting ...thier are other ways to protect your cat and your house. no curtains by shades. cats love to scratch and it's usaualy the arm of your couch. by protectors or spray the things you don 't want the cat to go near... pet store.

Answer 10

There has to be some rental units in your area that dont have this stupid policy.
Is this stated in your lease?
If it is not stated in your lease, you do not have to declaw your cats.
If you do not have a lease, then you should have received a written document regarding this policy.
Contact the animal rights organization ,anti cruelty, etc.regarding this ridiculous rule and these building manager's can deal with them also.
Check with your State regarding Tenant rights and ordinances.
You can call them on the phone or online.

Write a letter to your landlord and state that if the only alternative is to declaw your cats, you will comply only when you receive a statement from all of the managing agents that they have all of their finger nails and toe nails permanently removed including their families and children.
These people are ignorant and hopefully you can find a nice place to live with your cats and please do not put them through this torture.
Give it your best shot and good luck.

Answer 11

Don't declaw- that's cruel. I know there have got to be places that will allow animals (& won't ask specific questions about them) because friends of mine, each with lots of cats, told me that unless they don't allow pets at all, then they don't get that specific. Apartment may cost a little more to account for the animals, but it's worth it.