How soon can you declaw a cat?

Question

I know he is just playing, but those sharp things hurt!!

Answer 1

declawing should only come as a last resort. try TRAINING your cat first

Surviving without a Scratch
To deal with the No. 1 destruction complaint, furniture scratching, choose furniture and drapes that are tactilely unattractive to cats. Most smooth cottons (chintz) or silky parachute cloth don't interest felines, who prefer rough, bumpy Haitian cloth, Herculon, raw silk and leather. If the furniture pre-dates the cat, you can protect it with a sheet, comforter or the dreaded plastic slipcover. You can also retrain the cat by covering favorite targets with double-stick tape, balloons, tin foil, contact paper (sticky side up) or a commercial product like Sticky Paws™.

Cats inherently need to scratch in order to remove dead nail sheaths from around their sharp new claws. Trim the cat's nails every two weeks to keep them blunt, and provide a suitable scratching post.

- Install a sturdy, wide-based post at least three-feet tall covered in sisal, coiled rope or similar rough-textured fabrics. A natural (but de-bugged) tree trunk is another option.

- Initially set the post beside the inappropriately scratched item, and then gradually move it to a preferred location. A good choice is near a cat's favorite napping place, as the urge to scratch is often strongest upon awakening.

- Entice your cat to the post by running your nails over it (and praise the cat when he or she responds), or dragging a ribbon or other interactive toy over or near the post.

- Several times a month, sprinkle potent catnip on the post if your cat responds favorably to this herb.

There is no doubt that by providing for a cat's physical and mental needs in a stimulating environment, much of the destruction typically caused by tooth and nail can be avoided

Answer 2

Before declawing the cat - please realize what you are doing.

A declaw is not just simple surgery - it is the amputation of the first digit on each limb- it would be the same if a doctor cut off your fingernails at the first digit. And some cats don't do well with this procedure. Litterbox problems start (it hurts to scratch in the litter, so even after the paw has healed, the cat remembers), a cat can start biting (feels insecure without its first line of protection, and starts biting), and it is illegal in most of Europe.

Try softclaws first, and start training the cat to use a cat tree. There are some very excellent resources for how to train a cat to cat tree. As for the cat clawing you - don't let him. When he claws you, stop playing with him immediately. A spray bottle, or a loud noise (like pennies in a popcan) would work to scare him. Your cat will soon learn that if he claws you, the fun goes away. Don't yell, don't make it scary. Just make it unpleasant.

but, if it means cat is homeless or without claws, I would rather see the cat without claws. The American vet association recommends that if you are going to declaw, you do it before 6months of age. Older cats tend to be more traumatized. Many vets do a spay/neuter and a declaw at the same time.

But before making any decision, please understand the consequences.

Answer 3

Never! You must be retarded to get a cat and complain it is playing and has claws. Consider getting a bunny rabbit. OR< get kitty a scratching post, or simply do the more humane thing if you are so brittle (and babyish) and clip the clear part of the cat's nails. Cats will suffer the rest of their lives with declawing and be helpless, it is a very selfish thing to do when there are easier solutions, including letting the kitty grow older to where it plays less, or returning him to the store so someone who actually likes cats can take him home. I feel so bad for him, being stuck with you!

Answer 4

STOP IT!!!! Cats have claws!
Roses have thorns!!!
Fact o' Life!!!

Please don't declaw your cat...either get him another friend to play with, get a "kitten mitten" 10 bucks at petco, and stop letting your hands be playthings. YOU started it.

There are these things called soft claws (?) that glue over the nails. They work well but of course come off over time.

There is a GREAT toy called the CAT DANCER that you can really have a great time playing with-cats can't resist it.

Declawing leads to behavioral problems- you think you got troubles now, wait until the aggression (compensation for being defenseless) and the litterbox aversion (sore amputation stubs) begin...the litterbox thing can start even
years after a declaw.

And then....guess what? People get rid of the cat they declawed.
Cats are a 20 year commitment.

Answer 5

Yes, those claws DO hurt! Declawing is a HORRIFIC procedure (my sister used to work for a vet)...it is definitely mutilation. Like the other person said, caps are good...but they also cost money. I have always trimmed my cats' nails. If you start them out when they're young they won't give you too much trouble when you do it. I put them on my lap and hold them like a baby. It keeps those sharp points off and then they don't snag your skin when they play with you. And if they have white nails (instead of black) that's a bonus because you need to be careful not to cut past the quick. You can get kitty nail clippers at pet stores and even in the pet department at Wal-Mart. Good luck!

Answer 6

DO NOT DECLAW. Declawing is mutilation, look into claw caps instead!

I think you can find these in pet stores, but here's an example of caps: http://www.softpaws.com/

Here's some good info on declawing: http://www.paw-rescue.org/declaw_paper.html . Its a major surgery, your cat can have problems with anesthesia and have emotional issues from his claws being gone. My adopted boy came declawed and he's a bit neurotic.

Cats that have been declawed also look to other forms of defense... such as biting.

Answer 7

NEVER. Declawing is inhumane - it's a very painful procedure and takes away the cat's ability to defend itself. Furthermore, most vets don't even put the cat under during the operation or give it any kind of anesthetic or pain relief.

Get a scratching post.

Answer 8

Declawing a cat is very inhumane. they are literally climbing the walls of their cages at the vet after the procedure because they are in so much pain. they arent just declawing them, they are cutting the tips of their fingers off. Torture in my book, just deal with the pain if you want to have a cat, dont put them through that

Answer 9

Declawing a cat is like cutting off your own nunkles on your hand. Get a pair of nail trimmers and trim them yourself! If you need help Im sure your vet will be more than glad to show you how to trim them. Please rethink this one =0)

Answer 10

Don't do it at all. It is now considered inhumane in many countries, although it is still practiced in the US. It will cause them to feel pain in their paws for the rest of their life when they are sifting through the litter box, and doing other things. They will have defences if they somehow get outside, and many are left with emotional problems from it.

There is a solution that you can get at the vet now, that covers the claw with rounded plastic, so your furniture doesn't get wrecked and your kitty doesn't suffer. Please look into it! I think it can be done at fairly young age. It looks really cute too