how old does a cat need to be to be declawed?

Question

Hi, I have 2 cats one is Kiki, he is 4 and fixed and declawed, and I have Skeeter he's about 2 months old and was a throwaway kitty That we rescued from the Michigan winter not too long ago. I need to know how old a kitten has to be to be declawed? The landlord insists on having all animals declawed and fixed. There's no way that I'll move because of this. He'll be declawed no matter what. I also have leather furniture and yes he has a cat tree that he sharpens his nails on, he hasen't touced the couches yet I already know all the horrible stuff they do to the cats when declawing , so I don't need that information. I just don't want to be evicted for not having a cat declawed.

about half of you who answered didn;t readshit. I know that they amputate the knuckles. Kiki left bloody footprints all over the old apartment. his was done when he was about 2.5 years old.I just want it done and over with, but I was worried he is too young for it, I am a gd responsible pet owner that works 60 hours a week for what I have, and I do not want to come home to a shredded home. I'd take him to my parents house, but he's not exactly a vet he just has a farm.

oh yeah I also have two sons 5 and 9 and they're both cirmcuised that's where the doctor lops off the foreskin of the penis. that's cosmetic too and doctors do it all of the time JUST LIKE DECLAWING.

Answer 1

I understand that you do not have a choice in the matter.I had to have my cat Mia both declawed and spayed as well it is part of the lease. I would have used soft claws as an alternative. Mia was 5 months old for her spay and 5&1/2 months old for her declaw she went through both surgeries just fine. I live in a very large apt. building and there is zero chance she'll get out to need to protect herself. I hared to have to have her declawed but I had no other choice. She is just fine and she go's through all of the scratching motions as if she still had claws. I even bought her a scripting round with a ball and she loves to scracth.We have a nice place to live and I have nice furniture and it will stay nice. You cat will be just fine.Don't let anyone put a guilt trip! Your cat will forgive you.

Answer 2

Declawing can be done as early as 3 months. The latest minimum age is 6 months. (the minimum age will vary as will the maximum) Yes, declawing a cat is not ideal, but the person who told you to euthanize the cat is an idiot.

Make sure you get take home pain medication for your kitty because the surgery is painful and your cat will continue to be painful for a week or two after coming home. You must also NEVER let your cat outside again.

If you have to declaw, younger, lighter cats seem to recover the most quickly and with the least amount of pain.

Please make sure to check any future housing rules before moving. This kitty will need a lifelong, good home. Don't move anywhere where she won't be able to come along.

Answer 3

Is your landlord going to personally inspect your cat to see if he's been declawed? If not, I would just say that the "problem" has been taken care of. Not that I would advise anyone to lie ;-)
You could then get those SoftClaw things the others here have mentioned. What kind of damage can a cat do to an apartment, anway? At worst he can claw the furniture or the drapes, but those are your belongings, not the landlord's. Why should he care?

Answer 4

Getting circumcised is not like declawing. They walk on their toes and it is painful. Besides later in life they develop arthritis and they will have to have meds for that.

You need to talk to your landlord and let them know the dangers of getting your kitty declawed. That they develop other bad behaviors like not using the litterbox. Would they rather have a kitty that you can put caps on their claws to prevent the clawing or a kitty that will pee and defecate on the carpet which will ruin it?
Besides it is against the law for them to make you declaw your cat if you don't want to. For that is considered cruelty!
FYI =

Here's some great resources to use to counter Landlords that require declawing. I have always been shocked and appalled at the amount of landlords in my area that require this, and through my declaw research have sadly found that my city isn't the only place where this is common.

If any of your adopters are dealing with landlords who require cat declawing, please pass along the resources listed below, which can inspire and empower them to challenge the requirement. These resources include some of the anecdotal evidence that declawed paws can result in, or develop into, litterbox problems, which can lead to more expensive & extensive property damage for the landlords to repair.

If you know of any landlords or apartment complexes that require declawing and you'd prefer not to discuss it with them personally, please email me their full address (email or land) so I can send along this information.

Answer 5

Go to http://www.softpaws.com

They sell some claw caps which are cheap and easy to use, and they are doing the job perfectly, without need to declaw. I bet your landlord will approve!
At least give it a try!

Answer 6

If you had a child, and the landlord told you that you would be evicted if you did not have the child's fingernails removed from it's hands, permanently, you would not need more information about that either. MOVE or give the kitten to someone who does not insist on declawing it.

Answer 7

You can always call your vet and ask. They do also make these things that you glue on over the nails to prevent clawing on furniture if you want to try a different route.

Answer 8

The cat has to be six to eight months old to be declawed and fixed.

Answer 9

YOu need to buy SOFT PAWS they are nail caps that go onto cats nails and prevents them from scratching. They are not that expensive and not barbaric like declawing.
I can't believe its still legal in some countries. In australia its never been legal !

Answer 10

The time to have a cat declawed is right after you have all your fingernails ripped out at the root. Have the cat euthanized and shame on you for getting a cat that can't be allowed to be a cat. Really if you don't even have a phone, how can you care for two cats.. I'm assuming you don't have a phone or you would have called your vet on this... the same one that did Kiki.