Cats Nail Trimming?

Question

Is there any ways to declaw a cat yourself? Like, at home, with out taking him to the vet? If so, how can you do it?

Answer 1

Hello there!

Trimming your cats nails and having them completely removed or declawed are two very different things.

If you want to trim your cats nails: yes you can do it at home, and you can buy a nail trimmer at your local pet store. I would advise a visit to the groomers however if you're not familiar with the procedure as this can hurt the kitty (It costs about $5-10 to have done).

As for declawing:

Sorry but I find the procedure to be an unethical one, since it takes away any of the cat's natural instincts for defense (example: If you plan on leaving a cat outside, the cat MUST have his nails in order to properly defend himself)

What is declawing?

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".

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.

Please don't attempt to do any kind of surgery on an animal! It takes DVM's years to become properly licensed and ready to perform any surgery.

I'm guessing that you meant nail trimming and mixed the terminology up.

However!

There is a great alternative to declawing that I have found works wonders!
It's called Soft-Paws: http://www.softpaws.com/

Soft Paws are like little cat nail covers. You simply slip them on to your cats nails and voila! No more scratching problems.

You should also have a good scratching post around, so that your kitty can shave down her nails when necessary.

`Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I really hope you meant nail trimming because declawing requires anasthesia since the vet is going to amputate the first digit of every toe. Look at your fingers and bend the tip, now imagine someone cutting that off, that's what declawing is. After they cut the ties at the joint they put a pressure bandage and load the cat up with pain meds. In many cases the cat stays overnight so that the vet can make sure it is no longer bleeding before they send it home.
It's an awful procedure and I can tell you from first-hand experience that there are many complications the pro-declawing people will tell you are "rare". I've walked into work to find cats that have managed to chew their pressure bandages off overnight and have sprayed the entire kennel with blood from shaking their paws. You smell the metallic smell before you even see it. There are cats who never walk the same, cats who become biters (and a bite is much, much more serious than a cat scratch), cats who developed infections, cats who accidentally got out because someone forgot to close a door or a window and the cat no longer had it's primary mean of defense, and cats whose nails have begun to grow back deformed through the skin on their pads from an imporpely done declaw. It's not worth it, and if your furniture or drapes are so important that you're willing to risk any of the above mentioned things, then a cat is probably not the pet that is best suited to your lifestyle.
Clipping and trimming is one thing, amputating a cat's toes is an entirely different thing.
See this website: http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/

Answer 3

You can trim your cat's claws at home, and it's not an easy process, but do NOT try and declaw a cat at home. The claws are more then just nails to a cat, they are attached to nerve endings. If you try you will probably kill the cat. First of all, it is frowned on to declaw a cat and some states have made it illegal. If you are going to have it done, at a vet, check that it is still legal in your state. It is a very serious and painful operation to a cat, it is like taking the first bend in your finger off, not just your nail. Some cats fair very well, some cats never get accustomed to having this done. I will admit that my older cat has been declawed, but I trim the nails on my younger cat, I just couldn't do it to her. She was trained from kittenhood not to scratch and has done no damage. She does scratch, but with her claws in. Whatever the decision talk to a vet, there are other options.

Answer 4

The previous poster is talking about trimming, not declawing, seems she didn't read through, but the question is misleading. Declawing's a elective surgical procedure. I'd say rather be smart and TRIM them yourself at home. Declawing takes the first whole digit right off and the cat will not be able to defend itself. EVER.
Get it a scratching post rather, and then trim the claws, since declawed cats more often than not wee and poo all over the place.
There's a good reason so many places have banned it outright.
There are also NO medical benefits from it.
There's always a good alternative to declawing.

Answer 5

Declawing should never be done, not by a vet either. It's more than removing the nail, it's an amputation. It is illegal in many countries and with good reason.

But clipping nails is quite simple. If you feel uneasy about it get someone to show you how in person, either an experienced fellow cat owner or a vet or groomer. Get good nail clippers from the pet shop. Make sure you don't clip off too much, start with the very tips so even if he struggles a little you won't clip off too much. With most cats it's just meant to blunt them rather than cut off a whole length anyhow, only on my old cat who walks very little anymore & do I have to clip them because they grow too long.

Answer 6

Cetting the cat declawed is really painful for the cat. Try other options before getting the cat declawed.

Answer 7

No you cannot declaw your cat at home YIKES! But Petco sells these great little claw covers for cats that you just put over the cats claw and PRESTO no more sharp kitty claw.

Answer 8

no. I've heard of trimming claws, but I don't think I would try it, because you might hurt them and they might hurt you. If your cat is clawing things I would try homeopathic remedies like a squirt bottle of water that you squirt them with everytime they use the sofa as a scratching pole. If you'd rather get them declawed, take them to the vet. We had our cat's front claws removed and I don't think I would hesitate to do it again. They're so much nicer to have around. We left the back claws so they'd have some dignity left. They have adapted lovely to the change. they kind of use their paws like hands. When I tease the fat one with my finger he grabs it with his paw and pulls it toward his mouth. Its unbelievable how well the cats have adapted to the change.

Answer 9

you shouldnt be allowed a cat, even when performed by a vet this operation is cruel, its like saying my baby dribbles to much so ill get its mouth sewed shut!!! just as a baby needs his mouth a cat needs it claws!!! my goodness it looks like anyone can get hold of a cat these days.

Answer 10

why would you want to take the poor cats claw out its like pulling your oun nails out uk cat dont have there claws out i cant see any benifits from it