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Also, in the North Atlanta area, know any vets who perform this surgery and what the costs are? If you know of a paticularly good one, who charges a reasonable amount, please list their name here or email me. PLEASE, NO HATERS! I have not made any definitive decisions about this - that's why I am asking for RATIONAL people to post their arguments for and against the procedure. I'd like to hear from both sides on this controversial procedure.

2007-03-05 09:36:47 · 43 answers · asked by Marvelissa 4 in Pets Cats

43 answers

I'm one person who has had over eight cats declawed. Why? Because I wanted both the cats and my furniture at the same time.

As for the pain thing. Yes, it is probably painful for a short time but cats are amazing in their healing powers and get over it very soon afterwords.

We humans tend to put our human emotions and feelings on and in our animals when that is nothing more than anthropomorphizing. We don't really know what that cat is feeling or how he or she is handling the feelings they do have.

Don't worry. Your cat will be none the worse for it.

Kev

2007-03-05 19:50:46 · answer #1 · answered by Hobgoblin Kev 4 · 1 7

I don't see why anyone would go to the expense - even if the cat is declawed you have to be a good owner and train your cat. For those who are annoyed that the cat scratches the furniture, keeping the cat's nails trimmed, putting clear packing tape on the area the cat likes to scratch and putting the scratching post near where the cat has a preference to scratch will do the trick. Put lots of catnip on the scratching post and praise the cat for using it. The scratching post is better for the cat - just see if your cat likes to scratch something lying on the ground or if they like to reach up and scratch, then get the appropriate scratcher.

If you're worried about a child or elderly person being scratched, you'll have to remember that accidents can happen - the animal might bite as well, and I don't hear anyone suggesting removing the cat's teeth! It's better to socialize the animal to the other people in the house.

Working with a cat and being a good cat owner does take more time and effort than just declawing a cat and letting it do it's own thing, but the results are better.

2007-03-05 10:05:03 · answer #2 · answered by nightngle 4 · 2 0

Truthfully, declawing is not that cruel IF you understand what exactly decalwing is. When a cat is declawed the final joint of their toes is disarticulated and removed to remove the claw (the last knuckle is taken off). If it is an indoor cat only, then declawing will not hurt their lives, and most cats recover from the procedure in about a day. If it is an outdoor cat however, and it will be outside a lot, then declawing may not be a good idea because their claws are their defense and their weapons for hunting. I hope this helps you, and which ever way you decide, make sure you're happy with it - don't let anyone guilt you one way or the other!

2007-03-05 10:27:07 · answer #3 · answered by canadian_cowgurl04 2 · 1 0

I myself am total against it. Whta they accually do it break off the toe at the first kuncle. It is very painful to the cat and the recovery is long. If the cat ever gets out of the house it can not protect itself.

You should look into caps!! It is way cheaper and all it is that they do is put a kind of cap in the nail that makes it so it is not sharp. Not sure how long it last but it is way easier on the animal. Go to Soft paws.com!!!

Hope this helps

If you are thinking of declawing a cat, or a veterinarian suggests declawing at the same time as neutering, before you make a decision for non-reversible surgery, please consider these reasons NOT to declaw. Your cat will live his remaining years with the result of your decision, one way or another.
1) Declawing is NOT Just Nail Trimming
Nor is declawing only the removal of a portion of a claw. Instead, it is the surgical amputation of the first joint of the cat's toes. Whether this procedure is accomplished with a scalpel, a guillotine-type cutter or a laser, it is major surgery, and not to be undertaken lightly.
2) Declawing Does Nothing to Benefit the Cat
You will sometimes hear the disclaimer, "It's better than putting him to sleep." This is a fallacious argument, and usually offered only to soothe the owner's conscience. Only the cat's owner can make the decision to kill her cat because of scratching problems. He or she can also make the decision to let him keep his toes. Unlike neutering, which does benefit the cat, both healthwise and behavioralwise, declawing simply does nothing positive for the cat.

2007-03-05 09:40:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

Your cat needs her claws for just about everything she does. When she plays, her claws grip the toy while she punches it with her hind feet. Her claws provide proper balance and secure footing when she climbs, and are her main means of defense should she be attacked.

Your cat also uses her claws for scratching, This allows her to mark her territory. It also exercises her muscles. You've also probably seen her kneading her paws in contentment-this harkens back to her kitten days, when such action stimulated the flow of milk when she was nursing.

If these ten tiny tools are so important to a cat, why do some owners have their animal companion's claws removed? Declawing is expensive, painful surgery. Think of it as having the first joint of all your fingers removed. And because their first line of defense has been taken away, declawed cats may resort to biting more often than their intact counterparts. Some veterinarians around the country, refuse to perform declawing surgery.

If your cat is scratching where she shouldn't, the problem is behavioral, not medical. You may want to consult an animal behavior professional, but ASPCA experts suggest several humane solutions you can try to redirect your pet's energies. Remember, it's perfectly normal for cats to scratch, and it's up to you to provide yours with appropriate places to do so. Sisal or rug-covered posts at least 3 feet tall have satisfied many a feline's scratching needs. Corrugated cardboard scratching boxes are an inexpensive and effective alternative. Pile on the praise-and offer an occasional food reward-whenever she uses her new scratching post. She'll soon lose interest in her old haunts. During retraining, you'll need to stop her from using her favorite inappropriate place, such as the chair leg or draperies. Cover these spots with heavy plastic sheeting, tin foil, balloons or double-stick tape.

You can minimize much of the destruction while your pet's being retrained by clipping her nails every 10-14 days. Surprisingly, cats can do little or no damage when their claws are kept blunt.

If behavior modification is not going as smoothly as you'd hoped for, ask your veterinarian about rubber or plastic caps that glue on a cat's claws. These will last about eight weeks, They provide additional protection against damage, and is a much better, and humane, alternative to amputation.

2007-03-06 00:21:39 · answer #5 · answered by kibbi21 4 · 1 0

It really depends on your kitty. I have had cats that I've been able to work out a deal with them in exchange for catnip, scratching post and tolerating minimal damage to one curtain. No problem. Declawing a kitty is very sad because it is removing the tip of their fingers. They are a source of pleasure for the cat. Declawing a cat is taking away a big part of it's defenses. They do have back claws and teeth but that's not much. You have to promise yourself and your kitty not to ever let him/her outside. Major responsibility. If your kitty is unhappy with you, find them a new home. If you think your kitty is happy staying with you but not bright enough to learn you have no other option. Some kitties will not listen to reason. I will not allow an animal to destroy my house we will come up with an agreement or else. They get fair warning and training. I'll give them at least 3 months of constant supervision and guding towards the scratching post when they try to scratch where they shouldn't. Telling them they will be "ripped" out and pulling on their nail genltly. Some will understand and will be able to be reasoned with some will not. My kitties don't mind being sprayed with water. Caps fall off kitties nails too often to keep it up.

Good luck it's a hard decision. Obviously for many cat lovers.

2007-03-05 16:35:40 · answer #6 · answered by Jen 5 · 0 0

we had our little guy declawed and neutred on 2-22-07. the biggest factors for the proceedure is i am slightly anemic and have had 1 claw incident where by the time i got in the back door, there was a 4-5" diameter of blood on ny knee of my work pants. also yes, cats claw it is in their nature, but what if their little claws got stuck while you were away? how would they get out? they might end up ripping out a nail. then you factor in the cost of furniture, carpet and drapery replacement. we declaw just the front and our little guy is going to be a totally indoor cat. there are things you can try before declawing, scratching post sprayed with a strong catnip tea, caps on claws, double stick tape on no-no areas, distracting with loud noises or squrit with water bottle. also there is a procedure that snips the tendon so the cat can't stick them out. you just have to be sure to keep the nails trimmed and look for ingrown nails. each cat is different like people when it comes to pain. malachi was back to running at full throttle 1 week after surgery. our little 13 1/2 year old (who was put to sleep on 2-8-07) was spayed and declawed at 6 mths old. she too was up and running about 1 week after her surgery. no matter what the decision is yours. you and only you (and your vet) know what is best for your circumstances and the kitty's.
give your furry little one a tickle under the chin for us

2007-03-05 10:36:24 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ cat furrever ♥ 6 · 0 0

I think it's okay if your cat is strickly an inside kitty. Remember that by doing this you are taking away their primary defense. If your cat goes outside lots I'd advise against it because chances are they will need their claws at some point should they encounter a threatning situation. I have a cat and she stays inside so I've actually been considering this myself, I think I'd only have the front claws done so at least she can still fight a little bit with her back ones. I'm sure you'll encounter plently of arguments against it - I guess it just depends on how strongly you feel about it. Some see it as inhumane, with supportive reasoning others see it as convienience (stop scratching my leather sofa!!!) You might consider having the claws capped...
Check this site out it may offer a little more insight:
http://www.talktothevet.com/ARTICLES/CATS/catdeclawing.HTM

2007-03-05 10:05:36 · answer #8 · answered by JD 6 · 0 0

Please don't do it unless it is absolutely necessary. We had our kitten declawed because my husbands grandma (who we were living with) has a blood condition that would be dangerous if she were scratched. It was the most painful thing for my little kitty and I felt SOOO bad! She used to be so playful before the surgery and afterwards, she wasnt the same. When her little paws healed up she wanted to use her claws when she played but couldn't it made me feel horrible. Also, if your cat gets out accidentally she wont be able to survive without her claws for protection and climbing. I regret having it done and I now know some alternatives. The best alternative I think is claw caps. They are little rubber caps that can be glued on the claws and will keep them from scratching you and furniture. I've seen them at Petco and you can either put them on yourself or go to the vet and have them put on. At the vet clinic I used to work at they charged $10 to put them on. As opposed to $75 to get declawed and all the pain, I would highly recommend that instead.

2007-03-05 09:48:05 · answer #9 · answered by wildheart 2 · 4 0

when a cat is declawed the cut the toes off at the back knuckle. after the procedure there is bleeding until the paws heal. in that time infection can set in as well as other injuries occuring because of having to be bandaged for so long. if the cat goes outside at all they cannot defent themselves and it makes it almost impossible for them to climb a tree to get out of harms way.

on the other hand if you have a cat that it particularly viscious and there is a real danger to all around it can be done.

in my opinion though it should only be done if there is a medical reason or a safety issue.

2007-03-05 11:12:20 · answer #10 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0 0

Every cat I have owned has been declawed. None of them have had any negative effects from being declawed, there is no nerve damage to any of their paws and their recovery time was not long.

My elderly grandfather lives with me and his passion is felines. Cats tend to help boost his mood and there are other health benefits for him having a cat to enjoy. However my grandfather has a tendency to bleed very easily and we can not take the chance that one of the cats would accidentally scratch him and leave a wound that a) would be difficult to get the bleeding stopped, b) would take forever to heal, if it healed at all and c) could potentially become infected.

I made the decision to leave back claws in the cats - and they use them very well when they take the notion to - so that they would have something to defend themselves with should they ever happen to get out of the house. I would not suggest declawing for any cat that you are planning to let roam outside. Claws are important for a cat, but if done for the right reasons and in the right circumstances I see no reason why you could not make the choice to declaw.

2007-03-05 09:54:08 · answer #11 · answered by tngapch 3 · 3 1

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