Is it OK to adopt another cat with claws, or will my first cat be at a terrible disadvantage? Should I consider declawing the second cat to protect the first one - or leave her at the shelter (where she's been for over a year)?
2007-02-11 08:27:41 · 14 answers · asked by xytzews 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
They'll probably be okay. Clip the nails of the cat with claws, or if you're really worried you can use soft-paws, but the declawed cat can bite and use his hind feet. They rarely truly scratch with their front paws anyhow when fighting among themselves, it's usually more of a slapping.
Please do not declaw. It's illegal where I live and that's not just a frivolous law. The surgery itself is very painful, many cats come through fine once they heal up but there are also *way* too many that will be tender-footed all their lives. Many declawed cats stop using the litterbox because it hurts their feet. Many declawed cats get problems later on in life because it changes their entire posture. Many cats turn into biters. People sometimes argue it's better to get a cat declawed than to have to get rid of it for scratching, but cats *can* be trained to scratch in appropriate places, usually that training is actually easier than re-training a cat to use the box if he's stopped doing that. There may be cats in shelters who're there for scratching; there are at least as many who're there for not using the box and/or biting, and declawing is one of the main causes of those two problems.
2007-02-11 17:01:48 · answer #1 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go ahead and adopt the second cat. Please do not declaw it. Declawing is the equivalent of removing your finger from the first knuckle. The cats will be fine. Even without front claws, cats can defend themselves. The old cat will not be in danger from the new cat. Thank you for adopting from a shelter, you are saving a life!
2007-02-11 19:08:22 · answer #2 · answered by mandydawn1128 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It all depends on if the cats get along or not. If the cats like each other, then the one with claws won't hurt the other cat. You should at least try to put them together. Since the other cat has been at the shelter for so long she probably knows how to get along with other cats, but introduce them slowly. If they try to fight then you need to separate them and possibly after you give it some time you could consider declawing the other cat.
2007-02-11 08:35:56 · answer #3 · answered by Ray IV 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would not worry about the dynamics between the two cats. They mostly work things out without damaging one another and resolve their differences with hissing and avoiding each other.
I think it's wonderful you will take the new cat into your home after her long vigil in the shelter waiting for someone to give her a home. Most shelters would be very understanding in the event the cats were really having great difficulty adjusting to one another and would accept the new cat's return.
Both the cats might benefit from Rescue Remedy when they are brought together in your home.
2007-02-11 09:33:06 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have three cats all adopted at different times. Two are declawed and one is not they are fine don't really fight right at the beginning there were little scuffles but nothing serious. I would say go for it that kitty needs love and they will learn to get along and be fine with each other. It may take sometime but it will happen don't get frustrated it will happen.
2007-02-11 11:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by pooh_9836 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you shouldnt have to at all.
cats that live together with claws dont mark each other all up. but if they did then it would make sense to remove the cat or declaw it. im against it but if your other declawed cat is being attacked and hurt by the clawed cat and you want both then i guess declawing is your best way to go.
try a trial phase with the two cats, and make your desision.
2007-02-11 08:46:53 · answer #6 · answered by Erin B 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ahh go ahead and adopt the other cat. You don't have to get her declawed. At first the cats will stay far away from each other. Let them introduce theirselves on their own. I have three cats and they don't fight mean. They like to play with each other but not cause pain. Your declawed cat still has her teeth and she can defend herself if she is attacked.
2007-02-11 08:40:06 · answer #7 · answered by noneya10000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The issue really isnt protection for the other cat, the claws are needed to survive in the wild, so if it is a cat that you might not be able to keep in the house and likes to take off on adventures it might need them, but if it enjoys being a house cat it shouldnt need them and the other cat will learn to adapt, unless of course they show serious signs of unfriendliness under which circumstances they shouldnt be together regardless of the claws, but the claws them selves shouldnt matter.
2007-02-11 08:33:04 · answer #8 · answered by lonewolf07 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Check with a vet but I don't think it will be a problem to have one cat with claws and another without as long as you adopt them at the same time. That way one won't feel like she has to defend her territory because they are both new.
2007-02-11 08:31:52 · answer #9 · answered by notyou311 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
declawing a cat can make it very depressed and loose it's natrual instincts. A better way is to cut their claws with cat scissors or get them cut at a vet's office.
2007-02-11 11:44:45 · answer #10 · answered by tigersoto 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋