I want to get my 10 week old kitten declawed. Should I get it done?

Question

He will definitely be an inside cat forever. I had a cat when I was younger, and she was declawed, and I was glad I did. I just can't decide what to do. No offense, but I don't want to hear about any anti-declawing websites. I understand the process, I just can't decide if I want to have it done. Serious opinions from experienced cat owners please.

Answer 1

I wouldn't do it. It's the equivalent of having someone cut off your finger at the first knuckle and uit cause your cat unneccesary suffering. Get soft paws. You glue them on like fake nails an dthey fall off after about six weeks. At this time, you trim the nail and reapply them. It prevents them from scrathing and hurting but they still can protect themselves of they get loose. We use these and they work great.

Answer 2

Be sure he will be an indoor cat first! It would be very cruel of you to get a cat declawed and then let it outside where it cant defend itself against other cats. My cats are declawed but they have never stepped a foot outside. I know they are safe.

Second, you should look into acrylic nails for cats. I know it sounds crazy but its a new thing that people are doing to avoid the high costs and risks of declaw. They actually paint acrylic nails on your cat so they cant damage furniture or draw blood when they play. You have to go in and get it done about twice a month and most vets will show you how to do it so you can do it at home when its needed.

Like I said my cats are declawed. Looking back now I am glad that I had it done because it saves my expensive furniture from being ruined but right after they were declawed I felt awful. They were in so much pain and one of my cats had to be resutured because the vet was inexperienced and cut off too much skin during the surgery. My cats bone actually started to grow through his skin, he was in tons of pain.

But there at a lot of really good vets that know what they are doing, not everyone has a bad experience. So, like everyone else says, its up to you. You know your cats and your situation so just decide if its whats right for you.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

The kitten is a little young still to tell whether you need to get it declawed or not, but it is up to you in the end of course. I have a inside cat only as well, but she has her claws and she doesn't tear anything up. She has a scratch post and that is what i use to keep her occupied. I also clip her nails about once every other week to keep them from being too sharp.
I know that you plan on keeping the cat inside at all times, but it is a cats nature to want to go outside. It depends on the cat, but most will dart for the door each time that it opens. My cat got out once, and i still have no idea how it happened, but it did. Anyways she got in a cat fight and she wasn't hurt because she could defend herself. If she hadn't had claws it think that she would have been hurt badly. Accidents happen and your cat could get out. So if you can train your cat not to scratch that this your best bet.

Answer 4

I've had cats in my home since the age of 12, my oldest lived to be 18 years of age and I found that leaving her nails intact was the best way to go. Initially, like all cats she scratched at anything, but I found that if I kept her nails trimmed the scratching was kept to a bare minimum. Scratching posts, or scratching mats/rugs work wonders. Removing their claws, as you know, leaves them defenseless, and no matter how hard you try eventually every "indoor" cat finds their way outside sooner or later, all it takes is one second when you open the door for a friend or one careless delivery/repair person heading back to their truck and your animal is outside and helpless. Of the 7 animals I have had in my life all but 1 made a break for it - and succeeded! I wouldn't do it. Aside from being painful for the animal it can cause rather expensive vet problems down the line. Also, if you have other cats in the house, or plan to have others, someone will become the dominant cat in the house and your declawed cat will be a constant victim. I had one cat who wouldn't even let the others come into the same room with him - and they all had claws. A declawed cat becomes chopmeat.

Answer 5

I have not had a cat for some time, however I do work at a vet office and handle cats with and without claws. I would recommend getting your cat declawed, and if possible spend the extra money for laser surgery. The laser cauterizes vessels during the procedure and results in less bleeding and pain and quicker healing. The standard surgical process is not bad but does lack in comparison. With an indoor cat it is not necessary to have the claws and why risk having your furniture torn up.

I thought I would add that declawed cats will still entertain you by 'sharpening their claws' even after they have been declawed. Often times more entertaining because you can laugh because you know it is getting the nowhere. (I have seen softpaws but have not dealt with them. They seem like a lot of work to have to have the constantly reapplied, but that is just me.)

Answer 6

Personally, I feel it is your choice. I have however worked in a cat shelter for 6 years and seen many cats that develop litterbox "issues" after being declawed. If you are willing to accept that, fine. I hate seeing them dumped at shelters when they start peeing on the bed. They are NOT adoptable when they do not use the litterbox!!!
I have 8 cats, three I have had declawed for one reason or another.
If it is done, have it done during spay/neuter.

Answer 7

If the cat is going to be an inside cat I see no problem with having the cat declawed. It will help with keeping your furniture and belongings in tact. When my cat was 8 weeks old we had her declawed and spayed at the same time. There was no change in her and Im pretty sure she still thinks she has claws lol.

Answer 8

My cat was and always will be and indoor cat.I had always planned on getting my cat declawed. But when it came time for her to get fixed and declawed I Decided to opt out. It just seemed to me that her claws were apart of her and her playfullness. Now I mean i get scratches and a few climbed curtains but nothing extreme. She is playful and has toons of fun with her clawing post. So I think you should really think which your cat would prefer.

P.S. - having claws also helps her when she gets chased by our beagle who is a few times her size. So even if she ever does get out on accident it would be good for her to have some claws to defend herself.

Answer 9

The claws are part of the cat, they are part of their natural deffence systems. Cats naturally act in a way that they use their claws, like jumping, crawling, using the litterbox, scratching, catching and holding on things. Yes, it will be more comfortable for you in that way, but it's not good for the cat. If you decide to have a cat, you have to take care of it, besides the usual cosmetic care you can take care of the claw as well by cutting off the little egdes by yourself. (how to do it, please consult a vet, otherwise you can hurt the cat).
I have a cat at home who was an inside cat at the beginning (I live in a house) I cut her claws off and it crossed my mind the declawing. She grew up, and she likes to scout outside from time to time. Now I'm glad I didn't do it because at least she can defend herself. She is still an inside cat, only now I'm giving her more baths, however I must mention that she is not doing more damage to the furniture.
My vote is to leave the cat just the way it is. And take care of her. Buy her cat furniture which supports the crawling and scratching and cut her claws off from time to time.

Answer 10

I have 2 cat's and I would never get them declawed, that is part of there defense system. If you cat accidently got out it would have nothing to protect itself with. And it's also very tramatizing and painful for the cat. Get some scratching post instead.

Answer 11

Never ever declaw a cat. Thats like taking away hands from a human. Its painfull and cruel. And he's so young. Does he even scratch things? If not your a cruel owner.