Is it okay to declaw my cat?

Question

My can't is constantly clawing my couch despite the purchase of the claw things(sorry i forgot what they're called). I really don't wan't to get her declawed but her claws gets caught in my furniture and she screams when she can't get loose. I'm scared she'll get hurt if not supervised.Is it cruel to get her declawed? Can she scratch herself after? Will she be happy?

Answer 1

I am a vet tech so let me answer this with a little fact. Declawing your cat is your own personal choice. Does it hurt them? Yes, but no more than if you were to spay a female cat or remove a cancerous lump and so on and so forth. If you decide to have your cat declawed, do the front feet only. The number one reason for this is because if they are going to scratch your furniture, they aren't going to be doing it with their back feet. It just isn't necessary to remove the back claws. Also, I don't know how old your cat is, but try to have the declawing done at a young age. The older and larger the cat is when they are declawed, the more pain they will be in and the more time they will take to heal. A larger heavier cat will put more pressure on the sore paws when it walks thus creating a longer recovery time, and a higher pain scale. As for the question of letting your cat go outside or not, a cat that is declawed in the front only can still go outside. When a cat is put in a situation where it has to defend itself for it's life, it will always use it's back claws whether it has front claws or not, it's just the instinct of the cat. Not to try to change your mind, but here's another little fact you may not be aware of. Declawing a cat is not just removing the nail, the entire first knuckle is removed. Look at the tip of your finger. Find the first knuckle that is above your fingernail. That knuckle and everything below it is what is removed on a cat. Also, in reference to pain, animals do not react to pain like humans do. Do they feel it? Yes, but on a much lower extent. Basically, they have it but don't worry about it like we do. This is why a cat who is declawed is up running around like normal 3 days later. I can relate to you using the Soft Paws. I used them on my kitten until she was old enough to be declawed. They are a great alternative to declawing but they have their setbacks as well. It usually takes two people to put them on, and usually in two days your cat will have gotten at least one of them off already. There is another option to regular declawing as well. Some places are now doing declaws with lasers, rather than with a blade. The recovery time is a lot less, and the pain is a lot less, with a lot less bleeding. If you have the extra money, I would recommend doing it this way. Be aware, though, that this option can cost 2 to 3 times more than a traditional declaw procedure. I hope some of this information helped.

Answer 2

Honestly, it is not a good thing to declaw a cat. It is like asking would you like it if someone pulled out all your nails. The cat's claws are attached to their paws and to their nervous system. You should learn how to clip the cat's claws to keep it from doing all the damage. It's already a problem because you didn't stop her at the beginning and she thinks it's ok. It's going to be very hard to break her of the habit of scratching things.
Ok, I will admit that I have two cats, and I did declaw the older one. She is fine, and I don't see where it has effected her, but she can't talk to me. Since that time I've done more reading and just don't feel it's the right thing to do, and with my little one I left the claws and trim the nails. She has done no damage to any furniture, yes, she does hang on to me with the claws when frightened.
As far as declawing, if you do it you are only going to do the front claws, never let the cat out. They use their back claws to scratch themselves. But before doing it, talk to the vet and see if there are any alternatives.

Answer 3

Do not listen to the folks that say that it is fine and that their cats are OK. Did you ask the cats?
Cats are very attached to their claws as part of their instincts and life-well being. cats that are declawed can get personality disorders and have anxeity. WHY??
a declaw is an AMPUTATION of their fingers-- the first digit (not just the claw) and very PAINFUL. so-- you decide if you were a cat if you would be "fine". with that ?
there are better ways-- clip the claws with a human toenail trimmer every 3 weeks (prevents), and train. soft paws are also avilable as a cap on the nails.
YOU answered your OWN question--- you said the nails get caught-- that means they are too long-- they just need a trim.
cut the clear nail part-- aviod the pink quick.
when the nails are shorter-- they do not get caught-- and they do not scratcth as much, if at all.

Answer 4

Declawing a cat is like removing your fingernails permanently. Have your tried a spray bottle with cold water. Do you have a scratching post for her? Sounds like she needs her nails trimmed too. I rescued a fully declawed cat about 8 years ago and she is unable to touch her feet on any cat litter. We use puppy training pads for her. You can't her feet for she'll bite you, their sensitive to touch. I would find other alternatives to use first. You can try soft claws that are put over the claws by your vet, but they only last about 3 months from what I've heard.

Answer 5

No it's not okay to declaw a cat.

It *is* illegal in all of Europe & several other countries; why do you think that is?
A) because our legislators have nothing better to do
B) because our legislators all own furniture companies & like big sales or
C) because it is cruel?
(sorry, got a bit sarcastic here but it annoys me so much to read so many answers saying it's perfectly fine, even saying that if it wasn't it would be illegal... well it is overhere, and some US counties have started to ban it too).

There is an extensive article on cats scratching in the link in the source, it will help you understand why cats scratch, what they like best and what they don't like.... it's too long to copy & paste here but since it explains in so much detail it'll help you train your cat much better than if I were just to give the key points of using a spray bottle, providing a scratching post & using lemon spray & tape on the areas she scratches now. Please take the time to read it and good luck with your kitty!

Answer 6

NO IT IS NOT O.K.!!! Your cat has claws for a reason, to protect themself. If you declaw your cat and he/she gets out of the house your cat will have no defense against another animal. If your cat's claws get stuck in the furniture then you do not have adequate facilities for your cat to sharpen her/his claws. You see a cat must scratch to take off old dead layers from the claws and reveal new fresh sharp claws, it is a constant process. You can try a different scratching post, maybe something with cat nip sprinkled on it at first. You can also learn to trim the claws so that they don't get stuck, but be sure you are shown how because they have veins (blood veins) in their claws so you can't cut them off like fingernails...YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL. Also there are a couple of other solutions. One is to keep your cat off the couch (1) you could buy a water pistol and squirt your cat every time he comes close to the couch. Or, another method which is quite diifficult to accomplish is to put aluminum foil on anything you do not want your cat on top of or to touch. Cats do not like the feeling of aluminum foil under their feet. Also sticky tape works too (two sided tape). Examine your cats claws and see if there is some old flaky claw skin-like stuff falling off of them. If your cat retracts the claw simple place your finger on the underside of the paw and push upward while pushing downward gently on the top with your thumb to bring out the claw again.
Hope this helps. Please do not leave your cat helpless, it is simply cruel.

Answer 7

It isn't necessary to have your cat declawed. My husband's oldest cat was declawed years ago, but the two youngest are not declawed, we take them to the vet to have their claws trimmed when they get too long. Since we bought a couple climbing posts with levels for them to sit on & scratch the posts, our cats don't claw the furniture any more. Once in a while one of them will claw the doorway to mark her territory but it is pretty rare.

Answer 8

I am not sure how to get noticed with so many answers, but hopefully you will read this.

I own 3 cats that are all strictly indoors. Mine personally have all their claws, but they are spoiled rotten and do NOT scratch on the furniture. The biggest mistake people make when they get cat furniture and posts, is they put them in a corner somewhere. Your cat will not use them there, they are marking their territory when they scratch and want to mark it where you hang out. Try placing posts and furniture next to where she scratches currently. This may mean you have to get a couple of more posts. Try to make sure you get some that are carpet, some sisal, and some that are cardboard. If you provide variety in the right locations, she should use them instead!

I also trim my cats toenails, so they do not get caught in things, done properly, this does not hurt your kitty.

Declawing is a very sore topic to some people. I personally would not do it, but I don't think I should force people not to as well. If it comes down to declawing your cat and she gets to stay in a loving home, or you having to get rid of her, by all means declaw her. Make sure you research your vets before making an appointment. They have made huge strides in techniques which aid in recovery time. Do not go to a vet stuck in the stone ages, spring for the extra bucks to make it a little easier on your kitty. Make sure you follow the vets instructions and give pain meds religiously and make sure you get proper litter.

Hopefully, my first suggestion will work, but like I said if it comes down to declawed in a loving home, or placed at a shelter, declaw her.

Good luck! Hope this helps!

Answer 9

Please don't declaw - it's cruel (the first bone of the toe is actually amputated!), and in many cats it can lead to bad side effects. For example, some declawed cats become biters (because they feel insecure without their "first line of defense") or start avoiding the litter box and going elsewhere (because the litter hurts their toes).

It sounds like your cat's claws are simply too long. Get a claw clipper and trim them. You may have to start slowly - one at a time - but once she's used to it, it'll be easy to do them all in under five minutes.

Here's a webpage that explains how:
http://cats.about.com/cs/declawing/ht/trimclaws.htm

You can also look it up in a book on cat care, or have a vet or groomer show you how to do it. It's really easy! :)

(Also make sure your cat has many surfaces she is allowed to scratch, such as a scratching post or Turbo Scratchers (pet store).)

Answer 10

PLEASE READ THIS http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm before you declaw your cat. People who respond that they have declawed cats and they're fine are kidding themselves. It is essential to a cat to have their claws: for defense, for grooming, for balance, for climbing, to stretch, and most importantly for their psychological well being. Cat's MUST scratch and you must provide your cat with an acceptable place to scratch or she will continue to scratch where she is not supposed to. You need a scratching post that is wrapped in sisal rope (not carpeting). The taller you get, the better. A "kitty condo" or cat tree with different levels and perches is best, but you need a minimal of a 3 foot tall scratching post. Rub some catnip on the post and grab an interactive toy and make her play with the toy by climbing up the post. She will not only LOVE it...she will realize how much more fun this scratching post is compared to the furniture.

Again, please read this http://maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm . It is horribly cruel and selfish to declaw a cat. And it's illegal through-out the European Union. For every person who say their declawed cats are okay, there are 99 others who have given up their declawed cats to shelters because of all the other behavioral problems that result.