I'm still not sure about getting my cat declawed. But now i'm nervous about how he might react to it...?

Question

i hear a lot of people say their cat developed behavioral issues after getting their cat declawed. i just want to know if you have had your cat declawed what kind (if any) behaviors you cat adopted after having it done. or if you got it done. and your cat didn't change at all?

Answer 1

You can train your cat to a scratching post, keep his nails clipped, or get "soft claws." Soft claws are glued on over the cats claws. Even if the cat scratches, there will be no marks. You can buy them in different colors at Petsmart, and the groomer there can put them on for you. It's a good alternative to de-clawing.

Answer 2

People that have their cats declawed are either in denial or blame the issues that they have on something else. The truth is MOST cats that are declawed have problems one way or the other.
Call any shelter and they will tell you that they have many declawed cats. Why? Cause after they develop bad habits they don't want them anymore which makes it very hard for them to find them homes. In turn they end up killed.
You sound like you care very much for your cat and if that is the case then I am sure you will do what is best for the CAT and not put it through such unneccessary pain and suffering that can cause a personality change or bad behaviors.
Some cats do alright (just a few) but if you really care about the well being of your cat why take a chance?
There are many different ways to solve scratching issues. Just try each one till you find the one that works best for you and your cat.
I rescue cats and have had many declawed cats that were relinquished to me and I have seen more problems with them then the ones with claws. Besides the issues with the clawed cats were easier to overcome and nothing helps the ones that are declawed.

Answer 3

Declawing in most cases doesn't cause any behavioral changes. They may be cranky for the first week or so since they are sore so they don't really want to be messed with. But as far as long term effects there usually isn't a problem. If your cat is older it may take slightly longer for it to heal but it's not much different than a kitten. I don't recommend getting all four done however. Although declawing the front they loose there defense if ever left outside, they can still climb fairly well with the back one's if need be. So if your cat was ever in danger it would be able to climb and still get away. Don't listen to these idiots who are bashing you for your decision. Most people don't educated themselves before they take an opinion on something. Most are simply ignorant. Declawing like any surgery is painful for the first few days but they do recover very quickly in most cases. Spaying is an open abdonimal surgery and they is much for painful and takes much more recovery time than declawing and nobody is opposed to that. If it is your decison and you are comfortable with it then stick to it.

Answer 4

I would actually have to agree with most of these posters. Do NOT EVER have your cat declawed. Because you are human you may automatically think, "Well I'll just have it declawed and save me time/money/etc." Think about it truly.

I don't care if you're one of those people that don't think cats have feelings at all or anything but they do feel pain. Go look up the procedure and you will see what gets done. That's PAINFUL. NO amount of pain medication is going to help that and it has a chance of getting infected. Once it gets infected you could run the chance of having to amputate the entire leg. Do you want to put your cat through this? Would you amputate your kid's finger because they scratch people/furniture?

Answer 5

If this is a CAT and not a KITTEN, I wouldn't recommend declawing. Declawing a cat is an amputation up to the first knuckle joint. When this is done as kittens, they weigh less and are still growing and seem to tolerate this painful procedure much better. Any cat over 1 year of age, especially over 6 pounds, has a much harder time. The physical pain can be substantial for these older guys. If he is not neutered, that would be the time to do this, as both procedures can be done at the same time so you don't have to endure the costs of anesthesia twice.

Also, older cats know what their claws do and have used them extensively. Young kittens are still developing their skills and finding what they can do with their claws. Please, if your cat is more than 1 years old, don't declaw. There is not an age where neutering is considered too old - it's never too late to neuter.

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Answer 6

I've answered a similar question before . . . DO NOT have your cat declawed!!! Regardless if he is an indoor or outdoor cat.

Declawing is a very inhumane procedure. Unlike what it sounds like, it is not just removing the claw. Look at your own fingers, now imagine from the tip of your nail to the first joint being crunched off with pliers. That is how a 'declawing' procedure is done. It is very painful for the cat and only serves the purpose of an owner that is not willing to really own a cat.

I have one cat that I adopted over 10 years ago that already had the procedure done when I got him from the shelter. The biggest reason I got him was that I would have him as an indoor cat - I was concerned someone else might adopt him and let him out (which he would not have his claws to defend himself). I have two other cats now too, and both have all their claws.

If you are really willing to own a pet, you must be willing to deal with their idiosyncrasies. With cats, that means litter boxes, claws, hairballs, peeing in your shoes, marking territory, etc.

If the things you own (furniture, rugs, etc.) are too important that you cannot run the risk of a cat scratching them, then perhaps you should not own a cat. Get a fish tank instead.

If you still want a cat, you can do a couple of things to help 'protect' your material things. First (and the simplest) is to regularly trim all four sets of claws. Second, at any major pet store, you can purchase what is called 'Softpaws', they are plastic 'caps' that you glue to each claw. This still allows them to do cat behavior, but will limit or eliminate the damage. They have rounded tips and even come in various colors. This does require maintenance, for as the claw grows, the caps will fall off. Last, but not least, get things for the cat to claw on. Buy a small door mat sized rug that they can claw, scratching posts, cheap but effective is the super scratcher (cardboard box with corrugated cardboard inside where you can put cat nip). I have a sisal runner in my entryway, all three cats love this (even the one without front claws) and they all use it everyday.

I have a leather sofa, three cats and a potbellied pig. I have had this sofa now for over 10 years. There are scratches on the sofa, but it still works. It doesn't even look that bad unless you are searching for the marks. Seriously, if your belongings are too important (antiques, family items) that cannot be replaced, then perhaps animals are not for you. Just like with kids, you can teach them not to drink in the living room, but eventually one day, the kool-aid will find it's way onto the light colored sofa. This is the same with animals, you can train them, but eventually, they will defy you. Don't use this as an excuse for animal cruelty.

Answer 7

I had a cat that was declawed.But she was and indoor cat. I got another one now and she is not declawed because there are lots of cats in mi neighborhood and she goes out to the back yard.

Answer 8

Well, I worked with animals for 5 years, in a shelter and an animal hospital. I used to watch the doctor at the hospital declaw cats. Wasn't a sight for the squeamish to see.

At the shelter, they would spay and nueter cats, but no declawing, period. They thought it was an inhumane thing to do. Which I kind of agree, as it is extremely painful for cats to have that done.

Any way, a couple brought in their cat one day to have all 4 paws declawed a the same time. He was about 3 years old. He was such a nice, loving cat until he was declawed. Doc gave me the honors of taking off his bandages a few days after the cat's surgery. I couldn't get near him! He got so vicious and unruly! I had to get some body else to help me with this cat!

It's usually recommended to have your cat declawed while it is being spayed or neutered. Around 6 months of age. I think if you wait until the cat gets older, it will affect him more emotionally. Like the cat that I had to deal with.

Declawing is like pulling our fingernails out. Whether you have it done while the cat is still young or if you wait until the cat gets older, it still hurts!

I myself had 6 cats at one time, all of them had their claws. I just dealt with it and provided scratching polls for them to dig on.

Answer 9

i would not get a cat declawed. it seems cruel to me. however, i have never noticed a cat changing much after having this operation done. i also have seen it where a kitten that has claws can grow up with a declawed cat and just never use its claws because it doesnt learn to from the older cat.

Answer 10

I would only do it if the cat is very young, they will remember the pain if older and may change personality. yes it is very painful for them. I had several cats done in years past however the cats I currently have I got as adults so I have the soft paws nail caps for them. I started using them like a month ago and have had to replace a couple but keeps them from clawing my new couch. think of it this way a baby who is circumcised does not have hangups but try it on a 10 yr old he might have issues.