I want to declaw my kitty. Will he be ok if I do?

Question

My kitty Shooter is untrainable when it comes to scratching things...everything! I've tried everything from expensive cat trees to plastric claw caps. Water spray, noisy can, herbal sprays to keep away from objects...He is incourageable!!! I luv him to pieces tho'.
Laser declaw is my next option. Anyone have experience with this?

Answer 1

Please Please don't de claw it is an awful procedure check the web site below Here are some scratching tips:

Why Do Cats Scratch?
It's normal for cats to scratch objects in their environment for many reasons:

To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
To mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent -- they have scent glands on their paws.
To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.
To work off energy.
Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one that cats are highly motivated to display, it's unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems is to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
Training Your Cat To Scratch Acceptable Objects
You must provide objects for scratching that are appealing, attractive and convenient from your cat's point of view. Start by observing the physical features of the objects your cat is scratching. The answers to the following questions will help you understand your cat's scratching preferences:
Where are they located? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room are often chosen.
What texture do they have -- are they soft or coarse?
What shape do they have - are they horizontal or vertical?
How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
Now, considering your cat's demonstrated preferences, substitute similar objects for her to scratch (rope-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard or even a log). Place the acceptable object(s) near the inappropriate object(s) that she's already using. Make sure the objects are stable and won't fall over or move around when she uses them.
Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing, such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets of sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up. Or you may give the objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing perfume, a muscle rub or other unpleasant odor. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more suitable to you. It's best, however, to keep the appropriate scratching objects as close to your cat's preferred scratching locations as possible.
Don't remove the unappealing coverings or odors from the inappropriate objects until your cat is consistently using the appropriate objects in their permanent locations for several weeks, or even a month. They should then be removed gradually, not all at once.
Should I Punish My Cat For Scratching?
NO! Punishment is effective only if you catch your cat in the act of scratching unacceptable objects and have provided her with acceptable scratching objects. Punishment after the fact, won't change the behavior, may cause her to be afraid of you or the environment and may elicit defensive aggression. Used by itself, punishment won't resolve scratching problems because it doesn't teach your cat where to scratch instead. If you do catch her in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, remote punishment is best, in which you do not directly interact with her. Ideas for remote punishment include making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a pop can filled with rocks or slapping the wall), throwing a pillow at her or using a water-filled squirt bottle. If punishment is interactive, she'll learn to refrain from scratching in your presence but will continue to scratch when you're not around.

How Do I Trim My Cat's Claws?
To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted except when they're needed. As the claws grow too long and become curved, they can't be retracted completely. You should clip off the sharp tips of your cat's claws on all four feet every week or so. Clipping your cat's claws will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets, fabrics and skin. Before trimming your cat's claws, accustom her to having her paws handled and squeezed. You can do this by gently petting her legs and paws while giving her a treat. This will help to make it a more pleasant experience. Gradually increase the pressure so that petting becomes gentle squeezing, as you'll need to do this to extend the claw. Continue with the treats until your cat tolerates this kind of touching and restraint. It may take a little longer if she's not used to having her legs or paws handled. Apply a small amount of pressure to her paw, with your thumb on top of her paw and your index finger underneath, until a claw is extended. You should be able to see the pink or "quick," which is a small blood vessel. Don't cut into this pink portion, as it will bleed and be painful for your cat. If you cut off just the sharp tip of the claw, the "hook," it will dull the claw and prevent extensive damage to household objects and to your skin. There are several types of claw trimmers designed especially for pets. These are better than your own nail clipper because they won't crush the claw. Until you and your cat have become accustomed to the routine, one foot a day is enough of a challenge. Don't push to do all four at once, or you'll both have only negative memories of claw clippers!

Should I Declaw My Cat?
We strongly discourage cat owners from having their cats declawed. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items.

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

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. You can find Soft Paws® on the web by clicking here or call 1-800-989-2542.

You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vunerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

For a list of countries in which declawing is either illegal, or considered extremely inhumane and only performed only under extreme circumstances, or for medical reasons,

Answer 2

Personally I think declawing a cat is cruel. It's like a human going to the plastic surgeon and having them chop off the part of your finger from the first knuckle down. Again, my personal opinion.... I understand some cats are untrainable, but if you do decide to declaw kitty, only get his fronts done. He'll figure it out soon enough that he needs to balance differently for jumping and he'll still have the use of his back claws for just that.

If Shooter is okay with having his paws touched by you I would suggest trimming the nails, this way he can "scratch" all he wants and you'll have no marks left behind.There are special kitty claw trimmers, and when trimming the claws make sure NOT to cut the "quik vein".You can easily see the vein on the cats' nail, all you have to do is press gently in a downward motion on the top of the paw with your other fingers on the bottom of the pad. It doesn't hurt them at all, it's normal motion of the claw. You can basically clip them as far back up to the vein, leaving a little room as to not come too close to the quik. If your kitty will allow you to attempt this I'd also suggest picking up a powder called Quik-Stop. This is only used should you accidentally cut the vein, it will bleed like no tomorrow... all you do is dip the toenail in the powder and press it there till it stops bleeding.

Good luck with whatever you decide on doing :)

Answer 3

Is this a kitten or an adult cat? Kittens are always incorrigible. Remember they are babies and they are mischievous and naughty. It takes time for them to learn right and wrong, just like a human child. Do not permanently mutilate your kitty for a behavior that they will learn to control if you provide the right training and tools. Do you have a cat tree that is tall for climbing, perches for sitting up hight and poles wrapped in sisal rope for scratching? If not, you have the wrong type of cat tree. Get one of them and take a teaser toy and play with your kitty all around the cat tree. Make him climb it. Rub some catnip on the poles. Give treats when you see him scratching there. Continue to scold when he scratches elsewhere and be patient if he's still a kitten. He will calm down after neutering and he will calm down with age. Cat's need their claws. Above all the other reasons cats need their claws(defense, balance, grooming, stretching), the most important reason they need them is for their psychological well being. I cannot stress this enough. Declawed cats get nervous, irritable, fearful and can become aggressive biters. Some seem to do perfectly fine, but it's a HUGE RISK. Some live with chronic pain for the rest of their lives. It's soooooo not worth the risk. Just give it time. I am an expert on cat behavior. Email me via Yahoo Answers and I can coach you through the training process. I have 35 years of experience with cats and never had one declawed. I've also never any possession destroyed by scratching. Please contact me. I will help you and your kitty.

Answer 4

I'm sure you are getting your fair share of anti-declawing answers. Cruel to the animal. Like taking the top joint of your finger away. Well, answer me this, if you were in some sort of accident, God forbid, and lost all the top joints of your fingers wouldn't you still be able to function? The answer is yes.

When all else fails and there is no other option, declawing will be fine. You need to make sure that you don't use a high dust litter for the first few weeks. It will be expensive, but use the recycled newspaper or the wheat litters. DO NOT USE ACTUAL NEWSPAPERS. I have had friends that tore up newspapers to save money and if they ever left a newspaper on the floor the kitty thought it was perfectly acceptable for use. The most I've ever had declawing keep a kitten / cat down is 1.5 days. They adjust very quickly.

Now the safety note. A lot of people do not realize that a cat rarely uses their front claws in a fight. They will use them as an initial defense, such as to swipe at a dog's nose, and hope the threat just leaves. But in an out and out fight you will find the smart cat gets on its back and starts kicking w/ the back legs. For this, I NEVER suggest declawing all four. You will still fight picks here and there, but no mass destruction. The main use of a cat's front claws is to climb to avoid the fight at all. For this reason, if you declaw your cat don't let it outside. If it is indoor/outdoor, don't declaw it just leave it out.

Answer 5

It is unbelievable what people will do/say to justify their OWN SELFISHNESS. They will LIE to themselves, and even worse, they will LIE to others to make their selfish decision seem ok. They will EVEN set up WEBPAGES saying it is ok. IT's an OPERATION, YOU are REMOVING the cats main form of self defense, and a major part of what makes it a cat. Think of your favorite body part(s). Could you survive/adapt if they were removed, sure you could. Would you be happy? Cut off a few fingers and maybe one or two fun parts and see if you are happy and well adjusted afterwards. If you are, by all means go ahead and declaw your cat. I won't even call you a selfish, unthinking @#$%, I promise (but only if you really cut your own parts off first). How can you say you love your cat when your couch is more important? Put in the time to learn to train your cat. Your cat will be Happy to do things your way if you let him/her know how. That may mean redirecting their scratching to a catnip laden scratching post for a week or a month. It will be worth it.

Answer 6

i no uve tried a lot to keep him from ruining ur house, but i just wanted to let u no that declawing a cat when u relate it to humans it would be like removing the top part of ur finger at the first joint(the joint closest to ur fingernail). i no it seems like its ur only option, but i wouldnt look towards de-clawing as the answer.

Answer 7

In general, I am very anti-declawing. However, it seems as though you have tried every other option. If your cat is indoors all the time, he'll probably be just fine after a week or two.

Answer 8

It's perfectly safe and, although you don't say how old your cat is, most cats adjust very quickly. (Outdoor cats included) If your cat is very old, it may not be recommended because of possible problems with the anesthesia. In some cases, cats continue to go through the motions of scratching but without causing any damage. What's the harm in that?

Do find a clean, respectable, experienced DVM for any surgical proceedures and after care is extremely important.

Answer 9

I'm so anti-declawing. It just doesn't happen in England - not that this country is so great or anything, but I just don't think it occurs to people over here to surgically alter their animals for your own convenience.

Your cat might be OK, he might not. Why risk it though, we're talking your cat's health and happiness versus furniture here. Read these:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onychectomy#Legal_status
http://manamousiamese.tripod.com/id10.html

Chalice

Answer 10

YES, YES, A thousand times YES! Your cat will be fine! I'll say it a million times over....declawing your cat is NOT like chopping off fingers to the first knuckle! Never confuse human and cat anatomy as being the same. You'll be so happy with your decision and you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
Front paw declaw will allow your cat ALL IT'S DEFENSES!! It will still have back claws and believe me...it knows how to use them.
Please ease your fears and visit this website:
http://www.geocities.com/declawing/index.htm
Congratulations on your decision and excellent pet ownership.

Oh---and those who say that you're surgically altering your animal are the same ones who stand on their soap boxes to preach spay and neutering. (which is for the owners conveniece also!!) My good grief!

Answer 11

I did, but it's quite expensive.
If you want to you can do it cheaper by having your vet do it for you.
When you declaw your cat, then you don't have to worry about it clawing up things.