Declawing for cats. Is it good or bad?

Question

I've heard mixed things about this. Some people even deem it as animal cruelty. I am considering it because my cat scratches me all the time. He scratches other people also. I would like to see answers from people who have personal experience with this.

My cat doesn't scratch me on purpose or out of defense. It's just when he grabs on to you or jumps on you, that he can't help but scratch you.

He's an indoor cat. Sorry I forgot to mention that.

Answer 1

I think your cat may have very long nails to scratch you by accident like that, my cats walk all over me (in more ways than one :)), climb on my lap, sleeping in my bed, they claw a little when they roll over and I scratch their belly etc, etc. A cat at work even likes to sit on my shoulder. I've rarely had a nick or scratch from a cat doing any of this, only when they truly slip and fall, and even then it's usually very minor. Try clipping his nails instead, that'll dull them a bit without all the risks of declawing.

There are many risks; apart from the initial painful recovery, some cats will stop using the litterbox (because their paws are sensitive), some will turn into biters, they can get painful regrowths even years later, and often they'll get arthritis like symptoms in old age because the declawing changes their posture. Note, these are all *risks*, not certainties; someone who has three or even ten cats that are fine is no proof these risks don't exist. They're lucky; your cat may not be.

Answer 2

It is always good that someone actually takes the time to find out about declawing before going ahead with it anyway, so you get a brownie point from me for that. I also understand that as you so rightly say, declawing and cat "fixing" are both topics that are always very hotly discussed on these pages. Although it is my own preference to have my cats "fixed" there are always exceptions to every rule and that is your own preference. However declawing is indeed a proceedure that really should not be carried out on cats or any animal come to that. It is a mutilating operation and cats who have some behavioural problems before hand in almost every case have even worse ones afterwards, if you think scratching is bad, wait until you may have to cope with soiling, aggression, and biting -YIKES. There is no doubt that cats need their claws, and not just for defence. I hope that the information you will no doubt have received from some very genuine contributors will help you make the decision not to declaw, and that will be another cat saved. By the way sleeping on your pillow, wow if only my lot would let me have my bed I would be glad to give them a pillow, and they all have their own beds as well, but mine always seems better somehow.!

Answer 3

Declawing is not the answer. Cats have claws and they scratch - this is something you take on when you take on the responsibility of a cat. You don't just alter an animal surgically just to suit yourself. Consider the implications of this - you didn't just get the pet for your own entertainment presumably, so it is not acceptable to subject an animal to health risks if there is nothing in it for them.
Have a read of the q and a i posted on this subject:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkcnafPAxINaPh8MK2M0W6nsy6IX?qid=20070416131410AAiLQXP

Declawing seems to be illegal everywhere except America, I would suggest there's a reason for this. In England, people never ask if they can have their cat declawed - I just don't think it occurs to anyone. There are alternatives - keeping your cat's claws trimmed, using a water spray, getting 'soft claws' (I hear they have great success).

Is there a particular reason your cat is not allowed outdoors? The only real reasons I can think of for keeping a cat in are if you live by busy roads or areas with LOTS of predators. Letting your cat outside, at least during the day, if possible, could well result in a happier, less scratchy cat.

Yes I know plenty of people have had their cats declawed and the animal is fine - but plenty more declawed cats are NOT fine. Why on earth risk it?

By the way, the difference between neutering and declawing is this: neutering has many health benefits for the animal which far outweigh the risks of an anaesthetic. Declawing has no benefit to the animal. Many people draw this comparison because they think neutering is also done to correct unwanted behaviour - this is not the reason to neuter.

"If I hadn't had my cats declawed I probably would've been really unhappy with cats that clawed up my whole house"
What is this attitude that you get pets purely for your own benefit? Where's the respect for other life forms?

Chalice

Answer 4

I can understand your annoyance at your cat scratching yourself and other people. A cat scratch can be very painful. I must say that I haven't heard of people declawing cats in the uk (I am a uk resident) but I know it's something people choose in America. I would maybe consider possible training before going along the drastic route of declawing - a documentary shown in the UK last year made me think that its quite a painful thing for a cat to have done. Have you tried training? Or very regular clipping? I can understand, however, that nail clipping a cat who continually scratches anyway can be quite difficult - I have read somewhere that for ease and safety whilst clipping your cats nails, you can wrap the cat up in a towel. The source website may help. Good luck with your decision.

Answer 5

It is definitely not comfortable for the cat:
1. It's like cutting off your finger from the last joint.
2. It makes them lose their balance.
3. It takes away their natural defense mechanism. A cat is a cat - with claws!
4. It may put an unecessary stress on the cat (undergoing surgery when not needed).

As to cat scratching, there may be a reason your cat acts out this way. You should check to be sure that he's not in any pain - he may be trying to tell you something. Do you have any cat-scratch toys in your place? Maybe he just wants something to scratch (cats do this not only to sharpen their claws, but also to sort of mark their territory). Maybe your cat feels threatened by other people or yourself. Did you adopt the cat? He could have been abused before.
Please, try other methods before you declaw the cat. Talk to your veterinarian (while you're having the cat checked out). Declawing should be a last resort.

Answer 6

If your cat lives outdoors or is allowed outdoors at all, he should definitely NOT be declawed. Cats use their claws to climb trees and scratch their enemies in self defense. Even if your cat is indoors 100% of the time, I still wouldn't suggest declawing, because your cat could still escape from the house one day. Contrary to popular belief, cats CAN be trained. Just teach your cat not to scratch people.

Answer 7

I currently have three cats and they are all front declawed. I decided to get them declawed because they were clawing up things and scratching. I left the back claws so they can still jump up on things without the fear of them falling because they don't have their nails to help. My theory is this: If I hadn't gotten them declawed then I probably would of been really unhappy with cats that claw up everything in the house. Let's be realistic would you prefer a cat that doesn't ruin your furniture and your arm or a cat that makes you completely unhappy by doing these things. As long as the cat is a strictly indoor cat only I see no problem with it. The surgery has changed over the years and all my cats were fine with it. Good luck and do what's best for your household.

Answer 8

Declawing cats not only takes their nails,but it takes their fingertips as well; I feel it is very cruel and inhumane and should be avoided as often as possible. Is it a kitten? If so it's young and playful, and will probably grow out of it. Please consider finding another way to stop your cat from scatching, perhaps by spraying him with water whenver he scratches you or your friends.
p.s.- My grandmother had an extremely friendly cat, although he would scratch the window sills; therefore she had him declawed. Now the cat absolutly hates people. When you get near him he hisses and bites at you. Declawing is extremly painful for the cat, and you could make your cat worse than he already is, just with biting instead.

Answer 9

You know, there will always be a debate on the declawing issue for cats, but I just adopted a beautiful Abysinnian 4 year old female that had been declawed and spayed. I see absolutely no difference. An Abysinnian cat originally came from Egypt and they say that Cleopatra had these cats surrounding her boudoir for protection. They are very intelligent and they just capture your affection. The only thing is that the cat should be an indoor cat, because the cat cannot defend itself outside from predators. My cat has her hind claws though. She is such a wonderful cat and I love her dearly, as she loves me. If you do decide to declaw your cat, make sure it will only be the front claws and you keep the cat as an indoor cat. Good Luck with your pet.

Answer 10

I have had cat's all my life. And most have been declawed. I lost two to cancer and put them down, then I got Puffy. She was declawed when I got her. Then Peanut came along, NOT declawed. I inquired about it and here's what I found out; hold up your index finger. Bend to the first joint. That's how much toe they cut off your cat to declaw them. When I learned that, I keep Peanut clawed and now I have Pumpkin and he has massive claws. I have to work hard to train them not to scratch me or the furniture and so far so good. Personally, I won't ever have a cat declawed again.