Why would the local animal shelter discourage you to declaw a cat?

Question

Do they see it as inhumane or should cats be declawed before a certain age? Most of the cats there are at least a year or two old. I would love to adopt one, but would prefer to be able to declaw it to keep my furniture intact. If they could be trained to not claw on the furniture, I could do that too, but can that be done? Cats seem to have an internal drive to claw on things.

This shelter also does not allow you to have the cat outside, which wouldn't be the case either. I want an indoor cat.

Answer 1

The shelter may say it's inhumane to declaw your cat, but it's a lot more humane than when the "humane" shelter EUTHANIZES the poor thing because nobody adopted it. If you're going to keep your cat indoors, which you definitely should in any case, i definitely recommend declawing. Nowadays they have much better methods & recovery time is short. I've always declawed my cats & they never experienced any medical problem afterwards occuring from the surgery. Also, I've never had a cat that became a biter without the claws. btw, cat scratchs can be WORSE than bites....ever hear of cat-scratch-fever? it's real & it's caused from bacteria (from their litterbox) in their claws getting under your skin & making you very sick.

Answer 2

Many people do view this as inhumane. Essentially, a declaw is not merely the removal of claws, it is like amputating your finger at the first knuckle. Many cats do have a difficult time recovering. Animal shelters try to discourage declaws not only for that reason, but also because it is the cat's manner of defense. You remove the claws and you've taken away their defense. Cats can get outside, and without their claws, they don't have a way to protect themselves.

Now, just because they discourage it does not mean you can't do it. Additionally, more humane surgeries are being developed.

Alternatives to a declaw are available -- there are plastic claw covers that can be applied to their nails (not sure how effective they are -- I've declawed my cats). They do need to be replaced, and sometimes cats are extremely annoyed by them and will pick them off.

Basically, though, if you declaw your cat, you're making a life-long commitment. Most people wouldn't do it, but I think shelters are concerned that people will abandon their cats--and if they are declawed they will have no protection if that happens.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

De-clawing is cruel and is illegal in many countries. There are many alternatives to de-clawing including putting "Soft Paws" (a covering for cats' claws). I have two male neutered cats and leather furniture. I have never had a roblem with them clawing any furniture in the house. You can train your kitty not to touch or even be on certain pieces of furniture and at the same time, provide him with his own scratching posts and toys and furniture (like a cat condo or cat tree). Really, declawing is unnecessary. And I am glad that the local shelter has disuaded you from declawing.

Answer 5

Shelters think that if the cat were to get outside that would be the only way to defend itself, and if you were to get one make sure it will be an inside cat! You could even look through the paper for free ones =) Just get its front feet declawed that way if it does accidently does get out it will still be able to run up a tree =) I got a kitten from a friend and he began to scratch on my woodwork so when i got him neutered i got all 4 of his feet declawed and he never goes outside and i absolutely love it! He doesnt scratch on my walls, my kids, nor me anymore ... there is a certain age that you have to get him declawed, Vets wont do it to an older cat that is used to using his claws. I have another male kitten that is 6 months old that will be getting neutered and declawed. Its up to you! Don't listen to all the crap about the cats knuckles being broken and crap because its not true, I worked at an Animal Hospital where I helped out with declawing cats. They have new lasers now that help cut off the nail instead of using scaples and razor blades.. And they keep them comfortable after the procedure!! So if declawing a cat so he doesnt scratch your furniture and if he would be an inside cat (which is recommended!) then go for it! I hope this was helpful!!!

Answer 6

Yes, they can be taught, but you have to remember that cats scratch as a visual marker, so you have to use something like wood or thick cloth as a scratching post in a fairly high traffic area, just like they would leave on a tree in the wild. Most cats don't like carpet scratching posts because they snag their claws on it and it doesn't feel as good. So long for one made out of durable cloth or wood that the cat likes. Declawing is outlawed in Europe and elsewhere because it cuts off the entire first digit (the same digit that your fingernail is attached to on the bone), not just the claws and having that done much past kittenhood can cause a lot of problems both in healing and behavior-wise. You can also look for shelter cats that have already been declawed if you really really want.

Answer 7

Please think about what harm you might be doing to the cat if you choose to declaw......

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/declawing.html

...There are alternatives to declawing. If you are unable to have the cat's claws trimmed on a regular basis, if you don't consider claw caps an option, if you don't think training the cat to use a scratching post is something you can do...you might not really want a cat.

The cat should be a little more important than the furniture.

Answer 8

Declawing is painful for cats and they could get very sick if they get an infection. Cats can be trained not to scratch. Provide them with scratching posts and cat trees. When they scratch your furniture, spray them with some water, when they scratch the cat tree, give them praise and a treat. Then the cat will associate bad things with the furniture and treats and love with the tree. If the cat still insists on scratching the furniture, there are several things you can buy online that help discourage it.

Answer 9

As you've stated that the animal shelter wants you keep the cat indoors, they are discouraging you from declawing the cat because it is inhumane. As lots of people have said earlier, it is a painful mutilation of the cat and is totally unnecessary. If you are concerned about your furniture, then perhaps a cat is not the ideal pet for you.

Answer 10

Some shelters and rescues also have you sign a contract agreeing that you will not declaw an adopted cat. I would recommend that you search for an already declawed cat on
petfinder.com Good Luck.

Answer 11

I have read different articles and books that are adament against declawing cats. They can be trained not to claw furniture. There are also soft plastic covers you can put over their claws. I will provide websites offering the information below.

There is an excellent book, "The Cat Who Cried for Help," by Dr. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, MRCVS who teaches at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, which you can buy used from Barnes & Noble.

Cats need to scratch. They are the only animals that walks on their claws. Scratching removes the old nail layer and relases a chemical.

It is cruel and inhumane to declaw a cat. It maims and disfigures the animal. In involves partial digital amputation which would be like removing part of your fingers to remove your nails. It is excruciatingly painful the cat. (Dodman)

If the cat gets out of the house, it also renders the animal defenseless.

As you read the web sites provided beloew, you will see how you can train your cat only to scratch a clawing post. My cats acturally prefer to claw cardboard boxes! They, in addition to a couple of boxes I saved, they each have a cardboard scratching box I got from Dollar Stores that I can put catnip in for them. Hint: catnip is cheaper at health food stores than in others.

Also recommended are two books by Desmond Morris that explain cat behavior and "things." "Cat Watching" and "Catlore." James Herriot's book, "Cat Stories" is also excellent. I got these used from Barnes & Noble.