Declawing a cat?

Question

Growing up in the country we never declawed our cats. They were indoor/outdoor cats and obviously you don't declaw an outdoor cat. Now I live in a big city and have an indoor cat. We are planning on getting a dog within the year, and haven't yet declawed the cat. I'm not sure that I want to, mainly so if the puppy gives the cat a hard time, then he has some defense. Just wanted advice on declawing a cat who is indoors. Also he doesn't claw at the furniture. He uses his scratching post quite faithfully. It is scratched to death and has holes in it..lol...

Answer 1

Hi there...since your cat is wonderful at not inappropriately clawing furnishings/carpeting consider instead trimming his nails regularly to blunt the ends so that he doesn't injure the puppy with sharp nails. There's also glue-on rubbe nail covers called SoftPaws http://www.softpaws.com that are helpful at softening cats nails as well.

Here's an instructional video on how to trim cats nails by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine for Feline Health:
http://www.felinevideos.vet.cornell.edu/trimming_claws/full_movie.shtml

Answer 2

Clawing or declawing is a personal choice. Lots of reason for and against both sides of the argument. I just wanted to point out that you had said something about wanting the cat to have some 'defense' against your puppy. That may not be a great idea. My cat hates my dogs so much I have to keep them separated all the time, but the one time they got together my cat blinded my puppy in one eye. Had to spend a load of money on the emergency vet immediately and it took 4 or 5 followup visits to the vet in the next month or so to heal the eye so that the vet could tell me he wouldn't be able to see out of it again. I've had both declawed and not declawed cats. I chose to leave this cat with claws because he was an outdoor rescue that I saved after Katrina and he didn't scratch anything but the scratching post. If I had to go back and do it again I would get him declawed when I made him an indoor cat. My dog would still have two good eyes and I wouldn't have to keep them separated all the time. And just to remind you...he would still be able to swipe without claws which usually scares dogs and also cats have teeth and can bite to defend themselves as well, and if you get a puppy (not a full grown dog) I doubt he'll give your cat a whole lot of trouble.

Answer 3

I have 5 indoor only cats and only one is declawed because she was gotten that way. Your cat will need his claws for defense against a new dog in the house. The cat I have thats declawed must have had a rough time afterwards. If you touch her feet, she'll scream and bite you. She can't use any type of litter, we tried it all and nothing, We use puppy training pads for her to go on, easy clean up, but is very expensive. And we've been doing this for 7 years now. Why would you consider putting your cat through all that pain, just because you felt like he needed them removed. After care is needed and if you don't follow the steps, he'll get an infection in his paws. You can't use litter, you have to use dye free shredded paper. The ink on newspaper can cause infections also. The plain shredded paper must be changed after every use. He can't reuse soiled paper due to risk of infection. Your best thing to do is just get another scratching post or repair the one you have. Using sisal rope tacked onto a post works great.

Answer 4

Your cat has obviously been very spooked by something and being special needs he is still very traumatised a fortnight later. Did anyone come into your house who would hurt or frighten him ? Or did anything happen outside, like a loud bang ? Give him time to settle down again.Declawing him would be very cruel,believe me you'd end up with much worse problems. OK a scratch isn't nice but as someone else already said, a bite is much worse ! I'd suggest a check up at the vets but the journey might freak him out even more. I think I'd give him time, don't pick him up or let the kids play with him, give him some space and see how he goes. I do agree that although it would be awful to take him back to the shelter, better that than declawing him as at least with claws he has chance of another home.

Answer 5

We have 3 indoor cats, one is 14 years old, and 2 kittens. None of them are declawed. They are all pretty faithful to using the scratching post as well. We do get their claws filed or trimmed occasionally, but otherwise we leave them alone. If your cat isn't tearing up furniture, I'd vote for not declawing him. He'll need the claws to protect himself if puppy decides to chase him around.

Answer 6

I personally dont like declawing cats. I have never had one my girlfriend did and it was a sweet cat before then a bloody terror after. I have dogs and cats and they all see to get along. I would say dont declaw since she is using the scratching post and you are planning on getting a dog. Let the cat have a little back up LOL Good luck

Answer 7

I have two cats and they were around 5 when i got my dog. We thought a big lab would rule the house, but infact the cats rule the house and my lab actually threw up when he first walked in and saw my cats. THey are now 10 years old and my puppy isnow 5, they still ahve their claws and i never felt the need to declaw them even though they are indoor cats. the first couple of years the cats kept their distance from the dog but now as they get older the dog seems to take care of them and let us know when they arent feeling good.

Answer 8

You seem like a caring individual.

I wonder about your statement 'we are planning on getting a dog within a year, and haven't yet de-clawed the cat.' Are the two somehow related....or are you just stating facts?

In 40 years of cat ownership...I have never had a cat declawed. I know you probably intend your cat to 'never' be an outdoor cat....but are you sure?

As you know......cats use their claws for hunting, defense & climbing...but they also use them for grooming and stretching. Each time he uses his scratching post...he is using muscles that just aren't going to be as well toned without usung his claws for resistance.

I am sure a new puppy would be subservient to your cat....and even if it grows to be 50 lbs. it will always be subservient to an older creature who was 'there first.' However......God & Mother Nature must have given cats claws for a reason.

When we spay/neuter we are altering our pets in a way that improves their lives and controls the pet population. When we de-claw a cat we are only doing it for our convenience....and to the detriment of the creature we profess to love.

JUST SAY NO TO DE-CLAWING.

Okay?

Answer 9

A cat that doesn't claw furniture and uses his scratching post? How lucky are you,lol?

I have three cats, all introduced at different times into the household. One I found declawed, the other two have their claws. At no time have they ever scratched one another in the "tussles" they have. They play, they "fight" and never any blood shed was involved. They do not use scratching posts, but I do have a berber piece of carpeting that the use to scratch. Oh yea, and my wicker chair....oops.

I think the puppy and cat should be ok.

Answer 10

I don't think there is any reason to declaw your cat, particularly if the cat is doing no damage to your home. It would be a needless and painful thing to do.

I have two dogs and recently adopted a large male cat with lots of attitude. We have not had complete peace all the time, but the cat has not openly attacked the dogs and over time, they are gradually getting along better and better. I have kept his claws clipped short just in case and I tend to supervise when everybody is together and we have had no problems.

Answer 11

I would wait to declaw your cat unitl you see how it is with the dog.

If it does scratch the dog, which it might, you can always try alternatives to declawing like making sure the nails aren't as sharp using an emery board.

When you declaw a cat it is very painful and can cause serious problems for it. Although my cats are both declawed, it was because the first cat was adopted declawed and the second one was being seriously hurt. Unfortuantely it was the only option.

Whatever happens, good luck!