How old do cats have to be to be declawed?

Question

anyhelp would be appreciated

Answer 1

I agree with Katy's response. I am NOT a PETA person, nor am I crazy. I do not believe in declawing a cat, I think it is inhumane, and there is NEVER a right time to do it. Cat's claws can be properly trimmed by yourself, at your vets office, or by a groomer. They can be taught where it is OKAY to scratch. Tricks like putting catnip on the scratching post can work, or every time your cat tries to scratch (for example) a piece of furniture, take him or her away from that and put them in front of the scratching post. Show them it is okay to scratch that instead, by lifting their paws up onto the scratching post as if they were scratching it. I have done this with all my cats and it DOES work. Not to mention all the above listed health problems that could result from declawing.

Spaying and Neutering is a completely different topic. That is logically done to help control the pet population and not add anymore puppies or kittens to already over crowed shelters. There are far too many unwanted animals out there. There is no reason to EVER get an animal declawed.

Answer 2

As you see declawing is a very hotly debated subject for cat owners. But the ultimate answer will have to come from you. go to ask.com, google.com look at the web sites for and against declawing. Once you have all the information you can make an informed decision then make it . Not all the people here are PETA people, they are all pets lovers. You might even give the claw covers a try first and see if they work for you,maybe they will maybe they won't. You can get them at http://www.softpaws.com/ .And for April because a lot of people think like you and haven't gotten their cats or dogs fixed they are now coming out with a law that you must get them fixed,it will be mandatory and if you don't you will have to pay a $500 fine. It will cause a lot more pets to be dumped in shelters as people will either not have the money to fix them or won't want to pay for it,and will drive the cost of breeders to go out of sight as they will have to buy a breeders license every year to be able to breed.And with breeders the only ones getting them,the only cats & dogs that will be left will be the ones from the breeders or olders pets in the shelters. Once they are gone,who will be able to afford a pet?

Answer 3

That age is NEVER. First of all...I am not a PETA person. (Shelly, not every person who doesn't like declawing is a wacko) But, I have worked at a vet's office and volunteered at an animal shelter and I can tell you that declawing cats causes waaaay more problems than it solves. If you are going to do it, at least know that it is a crapshoot. You may not come out on the other end with the same cat you went in with. Lots of cats can be declawed, recover quickly, and have no lasting effects...Great! BUT, many many cats end up with lifelong arthritis/amputation pain that can fuel personality problems (biting & anger), litter box problems, and for some cats, it will drive them insane. If you love your cat, don't just automatically declaw "just because", use it only as a last resort. I have 3 cats and 2 are intact and the 3rd I got already declawed in the front. The previous owners of my declawed kitty thought it was cute that she always would sit like a little chipmunk with her front paws pulled in, sitting on her haunches. They weren't very "bright" people, she was sitting that way because she has chronic pain in her front paws because the vet crushed the bone too low when he amputated. This commonly happens. This kitty also doesn't like to scratch in the litter because it hurts her paws, so she no longer buries her feces...stinky! We were fortunate though, many cats with this problem end up in the pound because they will no longer even go in the litterbox because of the pain associated with scratching in there.

Just please think twice before considering this. You can buy guards for your furniture or little covers for you cat's claws. The little covers for the claws last 6-8 weeks and are cheaper than the vet bill! :o)

Good Luck!

~Katy

Answer 4

Not to be judgmental, but declawing is inhumane. I'm sure you love your kitty - so train her not to scratch. I cut my cat's claws every week to keep them short and I give her lots of appropriate toys to play with. Declawed cats can't climb or play naturally - my kitty uses her claws to climb her kitty condo and to pick up her toys and toss them around. Also, it may hurt to scratch in the litter box, and your kitty might start looking for other places to "go." Finally, if she gets outside, she'll be unable to defend herself from other critters.

When I adopted my little girl, the shelter asked me not to declaw. I had planned on it, not knowing anything about the process. In retrospect, I'm glad I didn't do it.

If you don't want to take my word, that's understandable. Please though, do some research online first. There are so many alternatives out there - posts, training, Soft Paws nail tips, clippers, etc.

Answer 5

Wow such an array of colorful responses from so many different people. To the "leave your pets natural" girl above me: I hope you don't own any cats or dogs because you're part of the reason why I have a dog from Boxer rescue and 2 cats from Siamese rescue. Leave them natural so they can help fill up our rescue shelters and humane societies?

Declawing: It is your decision. I say don't do it unless it's unavoidable and you have NO plans to let them roam outdoors. Cats and dogs don't need to "defend" themselves if they have good owners who properly care for them and KEEP THEM INDOORS. People have this misconception that cats belong outside free, where they can roam and prance and play. What they don't typically understand is that they are DOMESTIC animals, not intended to interract with the wild and when outdoors, they fight one another and kill off all wildlife they can get their little paws on. I have 3 cats and a dog. They're all indoor animals. 2 cats are declawed and the other (came with my girlfriend) is not. The declawed cats are very happy and even play with our 75 lb. Boxer. The cat with claws tears up my furniture, has ruined our nice bedset, scratches my blinds and even terrorizes the dog.

Do as you feel you should and don't let the PETA fanatics and morale elitists distort your perspective with their propoganda. Not every mind has to be a PETA mind. It is not a cosmetic surgery, like ear cropping. Just provide a safe and loving indoor home for your kitty. If you do it, please do it with the intention of protecting your other animals, people and property. Good luck!

Answer 6

A vet will usually do it around 6 months. For males, usually at the same time as you get them neutered. For females, it has to be two separate operations.
But first try to offer your cat other options, like burlap and rope and cardboard scratching posts and boxes.
We did not have that option. Our cats loved antique rugs and nice furniture and letting them outside wasn't optional so except for one (the only female) who DOES use all the scratching toys, they were all declawed.
They live indoors like little kings now and don't have to run and hide from predators, or become infested with parasites or become roadkill. I have no regrets.
You have to do what's best for you because YOU are the one taking care of them. Don't let anyone guilt you into making a decision you aren't comfortable with.
And 'leaving them like God intended them to be' is a crock. God didn't intend for them to live in apartment houses eating food out of a can. If that were the case there would zillions of kittens because cats like nothing better to do than mate which God gave them the equipment to do it with.
Cats have to adjust to living with people as people adjust to changes in society and culture.

Answer 7

DON'T DECLAW YOUR CAT, IT'S CRUEL . Cat's need their claws to defend themselves, you can keep their claws short by having them clipped regularly at the vet's Or if you are very careful and ask your vet to show you how to clip them , you can do it your self. also buy some scratching posts for the cat, that will help keep their claws short.

Answer 8

At least 6 months old before they can be declawed. While you are waiting make sure that you have a scratching post for them and trim their nails at least every week.

Answer 9

You should NOT have a cat if you are going to declaw it.

If you think you have to declaw a cat it means that you are a lazy and cruel human.

Answer 10

Please, please, please don't declaw you cat!!!!!!! It's cruel and inhumane to do so. First of all, declawing a cat is not like cutting of a toenail. Claws are a part of the cat's skeletal system. It's a major surgery. Furthermore, if you delcaw you cat you will be leaving it utterly defenseless. If it ever comes in contact with a dog or mean-hearted person it won't be able to climb a tree to get away or scratch its attackers. If you are worried about the cat scratching you of your furniture there are ways to train your cat not to do it. It just takes time and patience. There are plenty of alternatives to declawing. Please think about it. Don't do it.