My cat is being declawed what can I expect? When I get her home.?

Question

Will she need antibiotics, pain meds, or what? What if she won't take them.

well it is done and the vet said it dose'nt change there personality. If any thing it makes them more lovable.

She shows no intrest in going outside. So I don't have to worry about that. Wouldn't those soft claw things render her as defencless as getting her declawed.

Answer 1

Very difficult decision you had to make.

Without passing judgment, be prepared that kitty will be skittish for a while. She will also be in some pain. You'll find that up to seven or eight months later she'll shake out her paws because they are bothering her.

The post who said that she will pee and poop all over the place because she can't use the litter box is wrong. You'll just need to buy different litter - the kind made from shredded newspaper. It is pretty gross, but if she tries to use litter it could get embedded into her wounds.

If she needs them, meds are very difficult with kitties and she is going to be feeling particularly vulnerable. The post about putting her between your legs while kneeling is ideal. The only other suggestion is a syringe with a little claw at the end. You fill the syringe with water, put the pill in, and when you depress the syringe, the pill goes down with the water. It's a bit tricky, but you'll get the hang of it.

You should also be prepared to be very traumatized yourself. When you see what your baby is going through, you'll feel very bad for what you did. Just remember that she is now your responsibility until the day she dies because she almost completely defenseless against any other animals. You must make certain that she never, ever gets out.

good luck to both of you.

Answer 2

I personally would never get my cat declawed. A friend got a cat, the cat was fine, but once it was declawed it's feet were too tender to use the litter box, even just to step into it, so...it quit using it. Never started again. It couldn't climb stairs, nothing. What if a cat gets outside, or what if you decide to get rid of it? I did a lot of research before making my final decision. I was told directly from the vets office that it is the equivalent to having the last knuckle down amputated on a human. I am just glad that I had a vet honest enough to tell me that even though they risked losing money. I would never put my cat through such unnecessary pain and discomfort.

Answer 3

To declaw your cat is a personal choice. But this could cause much harm if this animal is still intending to spend time outside. If this is an indoor cat, then all is well- to an extent.

There are two ways you can have it done.
1. the 'old' way
2. lazer.

The old way is TOTALLY HORRIBLE!!! They essentially break the claw at it's stem- which is under the skin, and rip it out. Just as if you were to have someone break your fingernail and tear it out from under the skin, where it is technically joined to the bone. YOU would not ever do this to yourself, why would you do it to your beloved friend???

This was done to one of my cats when I was younger, even as a kitten. He went his entire life with very sensitive paws. He would never let anyone near them, and pull away no matter what. It was terrible. I was a child at the time, and this was not my doing. I have since had 5 other cats, which I have not done this to!

The lazer proceedure is something else entirely.
The claw is cut with a lazer, and is generally painless. There is no scaring, bleading, or massive healing time. This process has been around for a few years now, and is the only on that I would do if I were to declaw my cats.

Since this has been around for a while now, it has become much less expensive. I would check around to be sure that you can get this kind done. Otherwise, I would HIGHLY advise you to not do it if you cannot afford the better proceedure. It is safer, cleaner, and most important- best for the cat. And that should be your priority.

Going the clean way, there should be no concern for medication. There would likely not occur an infection or need to pain killers. But if by chance, you do need to administer something-

Sit your cat down in front of you, between your legs as you are kneeling. This will alow for you to have control of her body if she trys to move around. Gently squeeze the sides of her jaw with your fingers to prompt it to open- quickly put the pill in her mouth! Carefully hold her mouth closed by wraping your hand around her lower jaw and head. Use your other finger to lightly stroke her throat- this will prompt her to swallow the pill. Othewise, she will just sit there untill you let go and then spit it out. It's generally pretty easy to tell when she has swallowed it.

Answer 4

Honestly, the best solution to this is to NOT get it done. I didn't even know the service was still offered. I have known several people to have this done, and their cats have NEVER been the same again! It depresses them and, not to mention, they gain weight in some cases because they have to desire to run around and play. They are not as loving either.

If the claws are an issue, I suggest you check into 'Soft Claws'. They are simply amazing and very inexpensive. $19.99 I believe for a set. You only change them every three months.

You can get them at your local PetSmart or Pet Co.

GOOD LUCK! :)

===
(From PetSmart)

"Soft Claws keep your cat's claws from scratching and damaging furniture, curtains, carpets and more. Easy to apply - just trim cat's claws per directions included, then glue (glue included) the tips on.
Soft Claws do not interfere with natural claw extension and retraction. One application will last approximately three months. Kit includes four applications plus detailed instructions.

Choose Soft Claws size based on the weight of your cat in pounds. Each package contains 40 nail caps and two tubes of adhesive."

Answer 5

There is no reason to declaw a claw. Declawing involves amputating the tips of the toes, and it leaves the cat defenseless and with trouble grasping objects (which would be necessary if the cat were to try to stop itself from slipping or falling). Declawed cats aren't any more lovable than cats with claws.

Please ignore my mentally deranged stalker, who follows me everywhere here and gives me a thumbs-down.

Answer 6

So long as you have the procedure done while its a kitten, I see nothing wrong with it. When my cat was declawed at 10 weeks, she seemed to be in no pain at all and bounced back in a day. Declawing adult cats is a whole different story, though. I think it would really mess with their heads.

Answer 7

OMG! What Are You A Monster? How would you feel if someone came and cut of the tips of your fingers you wouldn't be able to do much so don't expect your cat too! It can never go outside again which is horrible because cats belong to the outside that is where they live! To anyone thinking of having this done don't just take my word for it ask it as a Yahoo! Question and see what sort of answers you get!

Answer 8

You can expect the cat not to use the litterbox anymore cause it does not feel good or that it will bite because it does not have claws to protect itself anymore.
Please do NOT declaw your cat...the shelter has plenty already because of people declawing them and not knowing what to do about the bad behaviors.

Answer 9

Did you know that declawing a cat or any animal is illegal in England
Scotland
Wales
Italy
France
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Norway
Sweden
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Ireland
Denmark
Finland
Slovenia
Portugal
Belgium
Brazil
Australia
New Zealand
Yugoslavia
Japan?
It is considered inhumane and if I and many others get their way it will soon be illegal in the US, so you are practically a criminal. Sorry. Oh- and make sure you NEVER let her outside anymore.

Answer 10

I am simply amazed at how often I read about people getting their cats declawed on this website. Why are you getting the cat declawed? Is he/she causing problems? Did you take the time to train your cat?

Please...save the cat the pain and find an alternative...I'm sure you wouldn't want someone to rip your nails out....