I have 2 cats..?

Question

there both indoor cats, but one of them scratches first and asks question latter. Is it safe to have her declawed??

ok I don't have a problem with my cat scratching the furniture, that can be replaced (and I want it to be replaced anyways) the problem I have is with her scratching, my family. I'm not just talking about the kids, I'm talking about adults too. I love her and I want to keep her, it just really hurts when she jumps on you and her claws are sticking into your arm. She scratches us just for picking her up. We don't hit her, kick her, beat her or even yell at her, we spray her with a water bottle but only when she is trying to climb the Christmas tree or scrachtes someone.

Answer 1

I imagine that it is safe, but it kind of brings up moral concern. The part that the Vet surgically removes with the claw is kind of like the tip of our human fingers - consider how you would feel if someone wanted to remove the tips of your fingers because your nails scratched them.

Consider this as well - even though they are indoor cats, there is still a chance that one day they will accidentally end up outside, and the declawed kitty would be virtually defenseless until you or someone else found them. Cats use their claws for climbing as well as for self-defense, so if they encounter a predator outside they would have a very difficult time climbing up away from them and/or fighting them off.

Before you have your cat declawed, try having the groomer trim the claws on a regular basis - the claws may still scratch, but at least they won't be as sharp.

If your cat is scratching you, it could be that you surprised them and/or they just do not want to be touched (some cats just never want to be touched).

If your cat is scratching your other cat, it could be a form of play or again because the scratcher just doesn't want to be bothered. Or, if your non-scratching cat is fairly new, then your scratching cat could just be telling the other one that they are invading their space, and eventually they will learn to tolerate the newer cat and/or will eventually get along with the newer cat.

If your cat is scratching furniture, there are also sprays that you can buy from the pet store that will deter the cat from scratching without the spray itself damaging the furniture. You could maybe even invest in a scratching post of some kind for your cat to scratch - mine love the ones that are made of cardboard, and believe it or not those things last forever, I still have the original cardboard from about three years ago.

Basically, I recommend that you consider alternatives before declawing your cat. You can even put a call in to your Vet and find out more specific info and what they think about declawing. They may even have some more suggestions for you about preventing your cat from scratching.

Answer 2

In short, no. Many people don't realize that declawing a cat means to cut off the tip of each of it's toes so that it's claws cannot grow back. This is extremely painful, as you might imagine, and the cat may have less balance with this amputation. Pain is unaviodable, infection possible, and this practice has been outlawed in many countries because it is inhumane and barbaric.

It IS true that a cat will be able to walk, etc, after being declawed -- just as you'd still be able to walk if the tips of your toes were removed. But that doesn't make it right.

Instead, consider training your cat not to scratch, keeping it's nails clipped, or using SoftPaws which are nail caps, a rubber cap that goes over the claws to keep them from causing damage. They do have to be replaced regularly (every few months on average). But it doesn't a vet to do so after the first time (to show you how).

Answer 3

Having your cat declawed should be the VERY LAST resort. There are other ways to make your cat stop scratching. Try double sided tape in the places he scratches. Have a spray bottle with water and spray him everytime he scratches where he is not suppose to. I would recomened getting a scratching post for your cats and put it in the places they scratch until they get the "idea" of where to and where to not scratch. Try getting a scratching post with that rope stuff other than the carpet because that can confuse your cat to thinking its okay to scratch at the carpet. This all worked for my cats. Occasinally I have to remind them but it is totally better then getting them declawed and putting them through that missery. Also there are things called nail caps for cats. They work very well and allow your cat to scratch without ruining what they are scratching.

I would DEFFINITLY not recommened getting your cat declawed. Declawing a cat is mutilating its feet. It puts cats through a TON of pain and 9 out of 10 cats end up with sever behaveral problems. They become unsocial and tend to hide. They bit and no longer love to be loved on or picked up. Most get sent off to the pound for these problems and end up being put down because no one wants them. Some people dont realize that when they got that cute little kitty they took on the ressposibility of that cat, claws and all. It is certainly not right to declaw a cat. Even years after the procedure it still hurts them to walk. If I were you I would do a lot more research on declawing so you can see what it truly is and just how badly it affects your cat. It all comes down to this: Are you willing to put your cat through that trama and pain?

Answer 4

No!!!! What i've done since my cats were young, was trim their claws. My furniture looks like crap, and i've been thinking about declawing them, but i just need to get a scratching post. The best way to get them to scratch that and not anything else is sprinkle the scratching post with a little tiny bit of cat nip. There is also this stuff you can get at any pet store, that you can spray on your furniture and it repells them. Humans can't smell it, but apparently it really does work. I didn't get it, because i love cuddling with them on my couch, just not when they stretch out on the arms and scratch them to kingdom come! Lol

Answer 5

I have had mine declawed as he was so bad he would not use his scratching post and nothing worked to get him to his scratching post. My couch was being ruined and I didn't want to give him up for that reason.

My first two cats were indoor/outdoor.
My current three are indoors only.

My other was adopted from the shelter and he was already declawed. He still digs at the furniture but I know he cannot hurt anything.

Fortunately, my other one (now deceased) and my other two used their scratching post with no problems. My one prefers the carpet, stand up cat house style post while my other one used to prefer an old piece of cardboard in her corner but now she uses the corrugated type of scratching post you can buy at your local pet store and I just replace it when she has destroyed it.

Answer 6

Declawing cats is actually cutting off their first knuckle. Most cats seem to do well (Im' sure if they could talk, they would tell you it hurts like hell) Make sure they remain indoor cats. If they get out and get into a fight, they have no chance, they won't be able to climb to safety or fight off their attacker. Before declawing, why dont you try deterrents to keep her from scratching; Provide scratching posts for her - cover the posts in cat nip. Keep her nails trimmed. My kitties seem to scratch more when their claws start getting long. I think they are trying to file them down themselves. Save kitties knuckles, and your money!

Answer 7

No! Declawing cats is cruel and painful. It's like having the first knuckle of your fingers cut off. You can either try and catch her in the act of scratching and then (and only then) do you spray her with a little water. Or you can even buy plastic covers for her claws. You might try keeping her claws trimmed down a bit. Or buy her a scratching post so she knows where she can claw when she needs to.

Answer 8

declawing is considered major surgery and there could be problems associated with it later.The vet doesn't just remove the part you can see. The entire claw is removed. Certain pet stores like Petco or Petsmart have caps that you can put over your cats claws. This way you'll save some money and won't have to put your cat through any pain or suffering. You can also just trim them .

Answer 9

Some people would argue that declawing cats is inhumane, I think that if they are house cats and don't go outside at all, then they don't need they're claws for protection. I don't believe that there are any major health risks with that procedure, other than walking funny for a few days.

Answer 10

Hi Danielle...sometimes if you trim a cat's nails it will reduce the effects of the painful scratching endured. Some people purchase a product called Soft Paws (temporary glue on nails), found at most pet stores to soften the sharp nails as well.

Here's an instructional video by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicince of Feline Health which shows how to trim nails safely and easily: http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/

Soft Paws product: http://www.softpaws.com/