Does it hurt to get cats declawed?

Question

My cat causes so much destruction around the house with his claws. I got hurt two times by him because of his claws. He's about three months old, is this too old to get declawed? And also, does it hurt for cats to get declawed? My dad said that the only reason he doesn't want our cat to be declawed is that it's very painful for the cat.

Answer 1

you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you're still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following website "Cat Scratching Solutions" provides many solutions as well as and insight into the psychology of why cats scratch. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post (sisal posts are by far the best). You can trim the front claws. You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I've found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors--which are really fun. Now that's a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it. You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vunerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

Answer 2

A supreme being much more knowledgeable than I decided Kitty should be born with nails. So until that being tells me to do something about removing those nails, I'll stand hard and fast in my position about declawing.

As far as I am concerned no cat should be declawed. In particular, cats allowed outdoors should never, ever be declawed, no matter what the owner's rationalization might be. Outdoor cats need to protect themselves, and nature provided nails as a big part of their defense mechanism.

Most owners have cats declawed because they scratch and claw up their possessions. As you know by now, I'd much rather educate the clawing kitty as to what she may or may not scratch.

It's really not as hard as you think. Remember: You can't teach a cat not to scratch but you can teach a cat what not to scratch.

Fighting between cats in the same household is the second biggest incentive for owners to want to declaw their cats. But here's the rub! Although declawing will certainly eliminate the damage cats can do by scratching at each other, it does nothing about the much more serious damage that can be caused when one nasty cat bites another. These wounds often abcess badly.

Cat owners shouldn't be lulled into the false sense of security that comes from removing the claws. If your cats are suffering due to a fighting household, it's best to get to the root of the problem and resolve it.

Opinions differ on whether declawing is physically harmful to cats. Some say it's simply minor surgery. Others say X rays of the bone structure of Kitty's legs before and after declawing show a marked difference that's caused by his having to balance himself unnaturally. Without the nails, physical stress is placed on the legs, where it isn't intended to be.

My favorite argument is when I'm told declawing doesn't hurt the cat. There's only one thing wrong with this statement - I've never heard a cat say it.

If you've already declawed your cat, don't feel guilty about it. It's over and done with and you thought you were doing the right thing. But for all the future kitties in your life, think twice about it. In nature's grand plan, it's probably best if the human race keeps its hands off of God's creatures, particularly when there's no medical or humane benefit.

Answer 3

Your gonna read what all these people say, but be careful. If it comes down to you having to give your cat away or get it declawed, get it declawed. It's better than the alternative. I got my cat declawed, and i did not want to do it, and yes she was in a little pain for about a week. She is perfect now, and just think what would of happened if i was forced to bring her to the SPCA. With the overpopulation of cats she may have had to be put to sleep. Which is worse?

Answer 4

Declawed cats have to resort to teeth and back claws to defend themselves. A cat bite or back claw swipe is definitely more dangerous than the warning swat on the nose that a cat with front claws would give a dog. So yes, a declawed cat can definitely hurt a dog. And obviously the dog could hurt the declawed cat as well.

Answer 5

Indeed it IS quite fainful for the cat, but if it's ALWAYS going to be an inside cat, and the cat is being destructive, there is no reason not to declaw it.

There is a new proceedure that uses laser to do the declawing. It's easier on the cat, and heals somewhat sooner. The younger the cat is, the better it is on the cat.....anywhere between 4 months and 6 months is ideal. After a year, it's worse on the cat, but they can still handle it. The vet can supply a week's worth of pain meds for the kitty, and after a couple of weeks, the cat will be back to normal, except it won't shred things.

You MIGHT could teach the cat to use only a scratching post. The "soft paws" don't work for more than a few days at a time.

Good luck (we'll be glad to talk with you more, if you need info....just send me your email)

Dogzilla

Answer 6

No it does not hurt the cat to be declawed but it might be better to be sure that the vet that you are taking him to only declaws in the front. Why? Because if your cat accidently got outside and he was fully declawed instead of just in the front he runs a higher risk of getting killed by another animal.
Merry Christmas!

Answer 7

Yes, it is. To remove a cat's claws is far worse than to deprive cat owners of their fingernails. This is because the claws have so many important functions in the life of a cat. A declawed cat is a maimed cat, and anyone considering having the operation done to his pet should think again. People hastily declaw cats hoping to protect their furniture as well as themselves from potential scratches. It's natural for a cat to scratch, but with a little human effort, you can direct that energy so that you, your cat, and your furniture can comfortably live together.

Answer 8

Yes it does!

It's not just the removal of the claws because they'd just grow right back. Declawing involves the amputation of the fingers above the first joint.

Check this out:

http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm

There is an alternative:

http://www.softpaws.com/

Better yet, use some simple common sense to avoid getting scratched. Don't use your hands as toys. Get some toys that you can play with; fishing pole toys are ideal.

You also have to teach kitty that his claws can hurt you. You're probably about fifty times his size, and even when he's fully grown he'll be about a tenth your size. It won't occur to him that he's capable of hurting you. You have to show him. When he scratches you, yelp and whine and cry, lick your wound, put on a big act. He loves you and doesn't want to hurt you; he'll catch on.

Answer 9

Do some research on the procedure. I am very anti-declawing. They cut off the cats toe. This causes them to have to walk in an abnormal way. It is very painful for the cat. It also prevents them from streching the muscles that were conected to the toes.
A better solution would be plastic caps. They are easy to use and inexpensive.
If you want to see a declawing horror story, let me know and I'll tell you about my cat and send you pictures of his feet.

Answer 10

It is extremely painful for the cat! Look at your fingers. Declawing your cat is the equivalent of amputating each of your fingers at the first joint below your fingernail.

There are alternatives to declawing. I keep my cat's nails cut short, which is just as effective. Soft Paws - plastic caps that are glued onto your cat's nails are both effective and adorable. They come in all different colors.

Declawing is banned in many countries, and should be banned in the US. Unfortunately, our country cares less about the welfare of our animals than personal convenience. Truly sad.