should I have my kitten declawed?

Answer 1

NO, NO and NO again! Declawing does not just remove their claws. The entire last joint of their little paws are removed. Cats who are declawed often become mistrustful, refuse to use the litter box and become biters. You can however learn to trim their toenails with a pair of baby nail clippers and change to regular (not toenail size) fingernail size clippers as the kitten grows. Any vet should be able to show you how to trim their toenails. I have 5 cats and do them each about once a month. Once the cat becomes accustomed to it, it is a quick procedure and much more humane than declawing.

Answer 2

Up unitl recently, I was on the fencemyself, about declawing. I
have read everywhere about declawing and the bottom line is this--- you shouldn't declaw the cat unless it is a last resort. I fully intended on declawing my kitty when I adopted her because I had grown up with declawed cats and didn't understand what the procedure actually involved. I can tell you that I have had her for 10 weeks, and nothing has a hole in it. I read about training her and have been successful at it... She doesn't scratch where she isn't supposed to. So now I won't be getting her declawed.. That is just my experience... If it comes down to getting rid of the cat verses getting rid of the claws, then get her declawed... But be prepared for the expense and the possibility that she could have behavorial problems aftetr the procedure. I pay petco 8.00 every other week to clip my kittens nails, a small price to pay for her comfort..

Answer 3

No don't declaw it. Just trim the nails once a month, start now so it will be use to it. Get a scratch post of some sort for each room and things should be fine.

It really is inhumane to declaw them. I think they would choose death over declawing, and who could blame them? The nails are actually attached to bones, ouch very painful!!!

If by chance it got out it would have no defense, wouldn't even be able to climb a tree. If you for some unforeseen reason had to give him away, he would have to be an only cat or with another declawed kitty. That would take away a ton of options.

Please don't declaw him. He won't do damage to your home, okay maybe a tiny bit :) They also sell stuff to keep him away from things like couches. Have fun with you kitty!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

Better question: why do you want to declaw him?
Cats are meant to have claws. Declawing is literally cutting off the digit at the first knuckle - can you imagine doing that? It not only deprives them of a major defense mechanism, it makes them unbalanced. It would be pretty hard to walk if you didn't have complete toes.
You should realize that cats scratch. If you're worried about him messing up furniture, you can do a few things. First, provide him with a scratching post. Second, make sure he knows he should not scratch furniture (don't ever hit him, though; you can smack a rolled up magazine behind him on the floor to scare him or squirt him with water). Third, there are sprays that repel pets and don't damage furniture.
Please talk about this with a veterinarian.

Answer 5

Declawing procedures involve removing the last portion of each toe because there is no other way to remove the claw. It's too closely connected to that bone. It's not just a clipping and is actually an amputation. Putting a cat to the risks of anesthesia is never a good idea unless it's for the cats own health - like spay/neuter or surgery for illness, for example.

Cats that are declawed often have behavioral issues, litter box issues, have problems walking due to the amputation which affects their posture, and most importantly, they are unable to defend themselves should they ever escape. You may not ever intend to let your cat out, but trust me, it CAN happen. They can also resort to biting because their main line of defense - their claws - are gone.

Many people like to use the analogy that declawing is like removing the last digit of your own fingers. But since we don't walk on our hands, I think it's more akin to removing parts of your own toes or feet. This has happened in people who have had extensive damage due to gangrene, frostbite, or injury. Not only is it painful for them, but because we use our feet to be mobile and balance, they have to re-learn how to walk, stand, and posture. It's a long painful process and can have lastly side effects. Same in cats who have been de-clawed.

Please read this website for indepth information on the declaw procedure --> http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing...

Try trimming your cats nails every 2-3 weeks, providing plenty of acceptable places to scratch, and/or using soft paws. They are vinyl nail caps that slide over each nail and are affixed with special non-toxic glue. They last about 6 weeks and will fall off natural as the cats nails grow. You need to trim the nails before you re-apply.

Many countries in the world have also made declawing illegal. A lot of vets here in the US are starting to catch onto that and will refuse to declaw. My aunt, actually, just tried to have her new cat declawed and the vet wouldn't do it.

Answer 6

Would you have your child's fingernails pulled out? It just about the same thing. At most pet stores, you can buy special clippers designed for cats' claws. Trim off just the points of the kitten's claws. Get him used to it at an early age and it won't be any big deal when he grows up.
Please don't have him declawed.

Answer 7

If you don't have to please don't! They really do have to amputate the cat's toes to the first knuckle. Get a good scratching post. Keep showing the kitten the post if you have to. My cat didn't have to be shown twice.Keep the kittens nails clipped, you can buy a nail clipper at a pet supply store. They have these soft paws press on nails for kitty's you can order these through DrsFosterSmith.com and request a catalog.They have sprays that make the furniture smell bad to the cat but not to us, and you could use a spray bottle and give kitty a little squirt if you catch her scratching furniture. I get all kinds of neat things for my cat Mia from here.Good luck!

Answer 8

No, it's cruel and illegal in almost every country but the US, you can clip your cats nails. I've been clipping my kitties nails since she was only 3 months old. It's our usual Saturday ritual, she does also have a scratching post but her nails get rather long and sharp so we clip. Be sure not to cut the quick, it can cause the cat to bleed. Here's a website with clipping info http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/article.htm
Also, declawing is not just removing the nail, it's actually removing a whole joint and if done incorrectly - the cat will live in pain it's whole life.

Answer 9

No! Nature gave them claws for a reason. My inside cat has claws and as a kitten, he picked up on the scratching post pretty quick. I have leather furniture with no cat claw holes. He's a good kitty.
Just be patient. He will learn what a scratching post is for just like the litter box. You will probably need to trim the claws once in awhile, just the tips.
Good luck with your kitten!

Answer 10

Some people find it quite important to declaw their animals. If you handle them well, get them independent scratching posts and the other preventative gizmos you can teach your cat specific spaces to scratch and not scratch, and avoid the possibility of the cat destroying your couch or your clothes. Ive heard through the zoo I work at that declawing your cat can lead to early arthritis in their paws....which is sad. If your consistent with your pet you shouldnt have a problem....hope this helps....