Is it really cruel to declaw my cats? Read details...?

Question

I have 2 five month old male cats. They refuse to use their scratching toys. I've heard that its considered cruel to declaw cats, but the way I see it is I'm giving them a safe home, food, and love. Its better than being on the streets starving. Is it so much to ask that my furniture not be destroyed? They are 100% indoor cats, so they dont need to defend themselves. My mother in laws cats are declawed and seem fine. So whats the big deal? Would it really be horrible of me to declaw them?

They dont scratch us or our daughter, with the exception of when I give them a bath and they freak out. I've tried the squirt bottle thing, but the darn thing never happens to be in my reach when they start scratching, lol

Answer 1

Declawing a cat requires an invasive surgical procedure. Imagine someone pulls off your toe nails. It is painful and slow to heal.
I think it's cruel, but that's just me.
Try filling a rinsed-out plastic spray bottle (Windex or something) with 1/2 water and 1/2 vinegar.
When the cats scratch, spray them with the mixture and make a loud hissing noise. Do this consistently for a few days, and they'll eventually stop scratching your furniture.
I've been so successful with this that I can now hiss softly and get my cat to leave the yarn ball alone when I knit.
So this is possible.
Cats CAN be trained!

Answer 2

We got our cat declawed, and neutered,at about 3 mos old. he does not go outside, (well sometimes we take him out supervised on the porch)he is a very healthy happy nine year old cat..
it would be more cruel to get rid of a cat then to declaw. We also have a stray we took in with claws, and he's soon getting declawed.
If it means the difference between a happy home or a shelter and possible death, I think it is a good option. as with every optional surgery, there are pros and cons, make the choice that allows for a happy home for both of you. Loving home vs shelter,and/or death.

Answer 3

Well the human equvalent of declawing a cat would be amputating our fingers off at the first knuckle. So, not only is it terribly painful for them after the surgery, it's traumatic and inhumane. Think about it, one day you have the full use of your hands then all of a sudden you wake up, your fingers have been severed and are not able to grip anything right. If you look into it, you will find that declawing is in the process of being banned in many places, and many vets will not perform the procedure anymore. There are alternatives to declawing you cats. They have a product called "Softpaws" where they take your kitty and extend the claw, then dip them into an acrylic soution which coats the nails so they are soft and cannot do any damage. Also, a simple solution is to keep their nails trimmed! Nail clippers cost about $5 and if you do it on a regular basis (about once every week to week and a half) and reward them after, they should settle into the routine nicely. It helps that they are still pretty young too. It's harder to get them used to nail trimming if they are older. (If you absolutely cannot get the cats to sit still, have someone hold them by the scruff of their neck and that will enable you to clip the nails safely, just make sure that if the cat is fully grown, you support it's bottom because scruffing them when they are too big can hurt them, or you can take the cat to have it's nails proffessionaly trimmed for only about $8) Also, a squirt bottle filled with water and a touch of vinegar will do wonders for ANY bad behavior you wish to put a stop to. They also have certain things that you can spray on your furniture that smell bad to your cats but has no effect on you. Also on the subject of them not needing to defend themselves, accidents happen and if the get out, they can be attacked by a stray or outdoor cat and be hurt very badly. My mom's cat was declawed when we got him from the shelter, and he got out by accident one day and we ended up having to pay $600 after he was attacked by the cat next door.

Answer 4

I considered declawing my cat until I did some extensive reading on the procedure and discovered that it is incredibly invasive and painful for the cat. Some cats may compensate for the lack of claws with aggressive behavior such as biting, swatting, or hissing.

Try sprinkling some catnip on their scratching posts. I showed my cat how to use them by scraping my nails on them, then I put his paw on it to get him to do the same. And it worked :)

If your cats learn how to use scratching posts and/or if you clip their nails regularly, your furniture should be fine. I don't like the prospect of my furniture getting destroyed either, but I think it's a small price to pay for the love and companionship of your cat. Declawing cats IS very inhumane and cruel. In fact, it is not even legal in many countries.

Please DON'T declaw your cat!!!

Answer 5

It is absolutely cruel to declaw. It is literally amputating a joint. Many cats never recover from the stress that this brings on. Most places that you adopt from now, make you sign a paper saying that you will never have the pet declawed. It is a painful thing. Your kittens are pretty young. On the things that you see them scratching, put some "tacky toes" on it. You can buy this from most chain pet stores like Petco or Petsmart. It is a double sided tape. Place it where you see the scratch frequently and they HATE the way this feels to their pads. The will soon learn they don't like that place and leave it alone.

Answer 6

Let's say it this way, I am VERY glad I live in a country where declawing is against the law.... I think I'd have about fifty cats I'd rescued from such mutilation if I didn't.... It's horrible and I can't understand a self-respecting country like the US doesn't have a law against it, or a self-respecting pet owner would even consider it.

Answer 7

Where I come from declawing is illegal (cruelty toward animals) and cat owners over here don't have torn up homes or hands, nor are there hordes of wild cats roaming the streets. :)

I've had cats for almost 20 years and they've all, without fail, learned to control their claws and use the scratching posts. My one year old cat hasn't scratched anything forbidden in months, my older cat for over a decade and my five month old kitten (and yes, they're wild at this age!) is getting there. Your kittens are still young, keep training them and give them some time.

Answer 8

Well, the next time you get a manicure have the nail tech cut off the top knuckle of all your fingers. That is how declawing is done.

Get your cats NEW scratching toys, the ones made with rope and the ones made from corrugated cardboard are great. My cat loves them, she won't touch any other kind.

Also, the clawing they do is also about marking territory. Try putting some two-sided tape or some aluminum foil where they scratch .

Answer 9

Yes, declawing is cruel. Many people will argue that, because declawing a cat is more convenient for them, or because they care more about their furniture then the cat.

Declawing a cat, is the same as cutting a person's fingers off where your fingers meet your hand. Claws are useful for more then just defense. They provide balance. Declawing is often traumatizing and can result in increased aggressiveness to overcompensate.

Please consider this carefully, your furniture can be replaced. If your furniture is your top priority, please rehome your cat - DON'T MUTILATE HIM.

Answer 10

It's not just removing the claw....it's the joint too.

Until they grow out of it you need all the advice to prevent furniture damage

and how to make sure they use the scratch post

Until your cat can be trusted not to scratch and claw your furniture, she should not be allowed free run of your house when you are not there to supervise her. If your cat has a single favourite scratching site, this may be temporarily protected by covering it with loosely woven fabric. Cats do not like to snag their claws.

Put her favourite food treats on some of the platforms. Attach toys so they dangle down enticingly. Rub the post down with catnip.

Once your cat understands that scratching and climbing her post is fun, rewarding and gains your enthusiastic approval, it is time to teach her not to scratch the drapes or furniture. If you catch her clawing at anything other than her post, immediately startle her with either a blast of water from a plant sprayer or a sudden loud noise.