my cats are 4 months old.
2007-03-14 07:05:59 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Don't do that! if your cats get out, by mistake, they have no way of defending themselves. Cats get much pleasure out of clawing. If you clip their nails regularly and buy them appropriate scratching posts, and train them to only scratch there, you should not have a problem. My cat LOVED the plain old corregated cardboard scratching block.
2007-03-14 07:11:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My Gracie was de-clawed at 6 months(same time she was spayed). When we picked her up from the vet and I saw the condition she was in, not only dealing with the female surgery, but her poor little paws were so sore, I almost cried. If I had known how painful it would be for her, I might have reconsidered the de-claw. I had no idea what was involved, they remove not just the claw, but what would be considered the first knuckle! It took her longer to get over the de-claw than the female surgery. Although, there are many times I'm glad we had her claws removed! It's a tough decision. I have heard where there is a lazer procedure that is much easier on the cat. You might want to check it out first. Make sure you do your homework on this de-claw subject. After the surgery, you will need to get a special type of litter(newspaper, I think it's actually called "yesterday's news")for their litter box, until they heal. Good luck.
2007-03-14 09:01:10 · answer #2 · answered by janice 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have read most answers here and have been in both situations of declawing or not. If you DO opt to have the declaw done, definitely do so at the same time you have them fixed ~~ this is easier on them because they only have to be put under once.
However, if your kittens are fairly mellow you should try clipping their nails first. You can try this by using regular "people" nail clippers. When you hold their paw and gently press on the pad their paw their nails will be easily visible. Snip off just the very thin sharp end (make sure not to get too close to the pink area). Also make sure they have a scratch pad to "file" them down.
If this process works ok without too much stress to your kittens (or you), I highly recommend not getting them declawed.
However, I have had cats that were absolutely impossible to hold down and clip. I had them declawed and after a few days of their paws being sore, they were fine.
2007-03-14 08:09:10 · answer #3 · answered by lizzietallon 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Cats are never old enough to be declawed. How old would you like to be to have half of your fingers cut off?
Behavior modification in the form of a spray bottle of water is the best way to keep them from scratching furniture. Teach kids how to handle them properly to avoid getting scratched.
And if the occasional scratch happens...wash the wound, put some neosporin on it and get over it.
2007-03-18 07:06:01 · answer #4 · answered by eyerishiz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think at least 6 months old. We had our cats declawed at 6 months when we also had them spayed and neutered. They get only one traumatic trip to the vet and it's cheaper if you get both procedures done at the same time.
2007-03-14 07:12:42 · answer #5 · answered by honeybun 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Oh don't listen to all those anti-declawer people. We have always declawed our kittens. Our vet suggests waiting until they are 6 months old, have the surgery done together with their spaying or neutering. That way it's only one operation. It is NOT inhumane or cruel to declaw a cat. Our cats are fine. Most times you only take out the front claws, NOT the back. We had a cat who was an indoor cat, declawed, for many years, he went to live with my Aunt's family and they let him outside because they lived in the country, not near highly traveled roads. This cat was FINE! As long as cats have teeth in their mouths and claws on their hind legs, they can defend themselves! My suggestion to you is that you find yourself a proper vet. Unfortunately, many of the newer vets believe that this is an inhumane practice and refuse to do it, most of them are not even taught how to perform the procedure in veterinary school any more, so they don't even know how. Find an older, long practicing, non-earthy-crunchy vet, and they will explain how the procedure works.
2007-03-14 07:16:31 · answer #6 · answered by Tessa ♥ 4 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I hate that! It is not natural all my cats 3 have their claws and i have no problem with them they have a cat condo and they love it it has tons of places for them to claw and that is what they do. Think about it before you do the deed. If you do this you can never let them get out because they cannot defend themselves.
2007-03-14 07:56:00 · answer #7 · answered by CHAEI 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
reconcider getting the kitten declawed...look up the procedure and pictures on google. it's nasty and cruel. they have there things called softpaws, when my kitten is old enough i'm going to get them for her, they are the humaine way to stop clawing
2007-03-14 07:13:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Declawing is bad, its like chopping off your fingers.
2007-03-14 07:10:16 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please that is cruel to do to a cat , they need them to defend themselfs, if you dont want them to claw stuff, then get soft claws, how would you feel if someone cuts off your fingernails
2007-03-14 08:53:32 · answer #10 · answered by kitty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋