What happens if you declaw a cat?

Question

My mom is making me and my sister choose either to declaw my cat or get rid of him and I want to prove to my mom that we shouldn't declaw or get rid of our cat so what happens if you declaw a cat?

Answer 1

DONT declaw , that is cruel to the cat , and it will hurt them, they need thier claws to prtect themselfs outside from danger, tell your mom to go to the pet store, and buy this thing called soft paw, it really works and it's safe for the cat, and it wont hurt them

Answer 2

People declaw cats because they don't want them to scratch things. Wether right or wrong, that's why. Different people place different importance on things, and most people don't bother to research before they have it done. My parents had both of my cats declawed when they were kittens (and I was too young to have a clue or any input in the matter). They hadn't planned to, but when our first cat shredded their expensive custom curtains, that was that. They didn't even give the next cat a chance, the claws came off before he even had a chance to destroy anything. At least it was front only. The first cat, who is 16 years old now, has always seemed to have pain in her front paws, and the vet who did her mangled her pads. The second cat's declaw was done much better, and I honestly don't think he's been effected much at all by it - no signs of pain, and he still catches mice all the time, so, he's figured it out I guess. That said, I long ago decided I'd never get a cat declawed, and have two now with claws. They haven't destroyed anything, and mostly stick to their scratching posts, but do claw the back of my recliner sometimes despite my best efforts. I won't declaw them over that, especially when I know there are more things I can do to deter it (like double sided tape). So, it just depends, I think, on how much the person cares about the cat vs their stuff.

Answer 3

I am against declawing. First of all, it will change your cat's personality drastically. (If you think spaying/neutering changed your cat, just wait!!!) I know of cats that were perfectly loving, sweet-natured cats and soon after they were declawed became nasty, child-biting menaces. In my opinion, they feel defenseless so they are more apt to bite (which hurts more). But my opinion about why doesn't really matter. What matters is that it does happen.

There are alternatives to declawing. Try getting a scratching post. Having something they are allowed to scratch will discourage them from scratching furniture. Having toys will also discourage the cat from playing rough with you or your family. If none of this works, there are still more options. There are cap-like things (I think they're called soft claws or something like that) that can be placed there (professionally) and this will give the desired effect without the personality change.

Answer 4

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you're still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following website "Cat Scratching Solutions" provides many solutions as well as and insight into the psychology of why cats scratch. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post (sisal posts are by far the best). You can trim the front claws. You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I've found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors--which are really fun. Now that's a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it.

Answer 5

I've never heard of declawing in the uk, I think it would be seen as animal cruelty, and personally I think it should be illegal in the US too. Your mom should have thought about all this stuff before getting a cat, Cats are born with claws for a reason-"Declawing is an inhumane, unnecessary procedure that has many alternatives. It is never in the cat's best interest. With declawing, we are interfering with a species' nature because of our own whims, mis-conceptions, misinformation, and sometimes, laziness." Neil Wolff, D.V.M.
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, author of The cat Who Cried for Help, and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine has the following to say about the procedure: "Declawing fits the dictionary definition of mutilation to a tee. Words such as deform, disfigure, disjoint and dismember all apply to this surgeryÉin veterinary medicine, the clinical procedure serves as a model of severe pain for the testing of analgesic drugs."
Declawing is actually multiple amputations comparable to the removal of human fingertips at the first knuckle. Sensory and motor nerves are cut, damaged, and destroyed. Recovery from the surgery is a slow and painful process. This procedure can hamper the sensations and enjoyment involved in walking, running, springing, climbing, and stretching.
There are also alternatives such as -A cat claw cover is just a little plastic sheath that goes around a cat's claws. A lot of people don't want to declaw their cats because of the pain it causes. This is a humane alternative - they basically stop your cat from being able to scratch, but don't harm it. The claws can still go in and out and function normally, they just are dulled by the plastic cover. One cover usually lasts a few months. Your cat may try to bite them off, but they usually adjust pretty well to them after awhile.

IMPORTANT: Do not use these on outdoor cats. An cat that goes outside needs its claws, both to fight off any attackers and to escape predators by climbing.

Also- A scratch pole for our cat.

Answer 6

Declawing is just like chopping off your fingers at the frist knuckle! They have paw covers you can purchase, will send that website also. Please do not declaw!! Have your mom read the following info and also check out the websites.
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Understanding Declawing
Declawing involves 10 separate, painful amputations. It is a serious surgery, not just a manicure. Declawing a cat involves general anesthesia and amputation of the last joint of each toe, including the bones, not just the nail.(1) The following are possible complications of this surgery:
• Adverse reaction to anesthetic
• Gangrene, which can lead to limb amputation
• Hemorrhaging
• Permanent nerve damage
• Persistent pain
• Reluctance to walk
• Scar tissue formation
• Sequestrum (bone chips), requiring additional surgery(2)
• Skin disorders

After surgery, the nails may grow back inside the paw, causing pain but remaining invisible to observers. Declawing results in a gradual weakening of leg, shoulder, and back muscles, and because of impaired balance caused by the procedure, declawed cats have to relearn to walk, much as a person would after losing his or her toes.

Answer 7

We had our 2 cats declawed when I was growing up because the were wrecking my moms furniture(she said)The down side to doing this is it takes away from them being able to defend themselves if outdoors,so in turn it is mandatory that they at that point become indoor pets only.And when they do get out and they will you are scared to death they are going to get beat up before you can get them back in the house.Something you can do to train them from ruining the furniture is fill a spray bottle and when you see them go over to the furniture and start to scratch it you hide behind the door or whatever you can hide behind so they cant see you and you squirt them with the spray bottle.It doesn't take long but this actually worked for me on my last cat.Good luck

Answer 8

i have had declawed cats my whole life and i have never seen it change their personality. the conduct them self's as cats with claws, scratching on every thing as if they still have them. cats use their back claws to climb trees and such, they use their front claws to climb down. its a personal thing if you choose to declaw or not. but if you do have it done with a laser this is less painful for the cat.

Answer 9

My cat has his front claws removed and honestly I don't even think he ever knew they were gone. Its been three years and he still tries scratching things with them constantly. He had them removed when he was 6 months and he came home fine and just as playful afterwards. He is still really very playful now that he is three yrs old. I think its silly that people think it is inhumane and that it changes their personality. Its only inhumane if you get your cat declaw and then still plan on letting them outside. Keep in mind that if he/she is declawed they need to be strictly indoor, or only let out in a fenced in area for some air under supervision. Good luck with your cat! If you get him declawed only do the front, back claws aren't a problem.

Answer 10

YES!!!---Get your cat declawed!!!
NO...they do not pull the claws out of the the nail bed. The vet will sedate your cat and use a very clean surgical procedure.
If you'd like to study up on it here is a website:
http://www.geocities.com/declawing/index.htm
Having your cat declawed is a good solution for your home. You won't have to get rid of your cats! You will be able to live together in a stress free environment!
You will be very pleased!
PS--your cat can still defend itself!!! It will still have it's back claws and it can still bite!!!
Don't let people convince you to compare human anatomy to cat anatomy! We are very different! It is NOT like chopping off fingers!