Cat Declawed?

Question

How old is too old to get my cat declawed? He is one and a half years old.

Answer 1

Please don't declaw your cat there are other alternatives. Try Soft Claws/Paws http://www.softclaws.com/ or scratching posts, cardboard scratchers.

http://www.declawing.com

Scratching fulfills certain necessary functions in cats: stretching to strengthen and tone the muscles of the shoulder and legs, along with "letting off steam," on occasion. There are many alternatives to scratching, such as judicious placement of several scratching posts and pads, claw trimming, and/or the use of plastic nail guards, such as Soft Paws.

* Declawing is NOT Just Nail Trimming
* Declawing Does Nothing to Benefit the Cat
* Declawing Robs a Cat of His Chief Weapon of Defense
* Declawing is Painful Surgery
* Declawing May Lead to Litter Box Problems
* Declawing Sometimes Leads to Biting Problems
* Cats Need the Exercise Their Claws and Toes Provide
* Altered Gait May Lead to Later Joint Problems
* Cats Need to Be Cats for Their Entire "Nine Lives"

Answer 2

You should never have a cat declawed - it is completely wrong. Why would you want to put a pet that you supposedly care about through so much pain and make it difficult for it to lead a normal cat life doing normal cat things - what are you thinking? Why did you get a pet that has claws in this case? Cats can live in pain for the rest of their lives after being declawed and in many countries it is now illegal for this reason. Why don't you get those soft claw covers instead.

Answer 3

When a cat is declawed the vet will cut up to the first knuckle.

Take a look at your hand and imagine cutting off your fingers down to the first knuckle. Now, do you still want to put your kitten through this?

Answer 4

Wow, people are really preachy about the declawing issue.

If you need to have your cat declawed, and I mean REALLY need to have it done, then do it. If it's a matter of taking your cat to a shelter where he will be KILLED if you can't stop the scratching, then get him the surgery. Being declawed beats being dead any day.

You can try Softpaws, though both of my cats had most of the caps off before I got them home from the vet's. You might have better luck, I don't know. Also, if it's just an issue of the cat scratching up the furniture and not scratching people, try getting him a kitty condo or a scratching pad/post before you do anything drastic. You can also keep his claws trimmed, though you should have your vet show you how to do it properly, which reduces the amount of damage he can inflict on your stuff.

I had my 3 year old Maine coon declawed back in March because he swatted my toddler (who wasn't provoking him at all, he just walked by the chair where the cat was sitting) across the face and nearly got his eye. I was heartbroken that we had to get the surgery, but our only other option was to give the cat away. He was on antibiotics and pain meds when we brought him home, but he healed up (they barely even cut them during the procedure) and adjusted very well to being declawed. If anything, it took his attitude down a notch because he's been kind of a baby ever since.

Answer 5

I agree with JeN. If done correctly by a reputable veterinarian, the declaw surgery is really not that bad, and I've seen many cats do JUST FINE after having been declawed. I can also see how some people would consider it "inhumane" -- it can be very painful and uncomfortable when you get a veterinarian who downright Does Not Know What He/She is Doing (and you'll have to shop around for one that does). Usually, you'll pay more for a better vet to do it, but don't let cost be your only deciding option.

Having said that, I also agree with the other answerer that said that trimming the claws is just as effective, and WAY less expensive. $10-20 for a decent pair of clippers, one person to scruff and another person to trim and you're good for a couple of weeks. If you're uneasy about trimming the claws yourself, you can always have a veterinarian show you how to do it.

EDIT: I guess I should also answer your question: 1 1/2 years old is not too old to declaw a cat. It's preferred to do it when they're younger (like at the time they get spayed/neutered), but it can be done at any age.

Answer 6

PLEASE don't have this done!! Declawing is an inhumane and cruel procedure. It's like ripping our your fingernails. It could also cause them to stop using the litterbox among a long list of other things. Please know that there are HUMANE alternatives you could consider. Why are you even considering this? I would do some research on the internet and really learn about this procedure first. Cats were given claws for a reason. It doesn't make sense to remove their claws just because YOU have a problem with them. If that's the case, you shouldn't have a cat. I'm sorry but this just isn't right. Please check out these helpful links. I hope you will make the right decision. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=declawing+your+cat

Answer 7

you can declaw the cat at this age but I would not recommend it. It will take a long time for the paws to heal. If you decide to do this anyway, please talk to your vet and have him/her explain what the recovery entails. If this is something you want to do, don't listen to all these folks who love to ramble on and on about how wrong and cruel it is. Thousands are declawed yearly and live very long and happy lives, I know, I adopt declawed cats only and they are very happy and loved. In the end it's your choice, don't let them push THEIR opinions down your throat. Good luck

Answer 8

Your cat is never too old to be maimed.
There are risk factors a lot of vets won't tell you about, and it happens more frequently than people realise, another reason why it's outlawed in most of the civilised world.
They can be taught, if you can respect the animal they are and not just think like some do that since money was paid over, you can decide what parts you see fit for them to have and what parts not, you would not want anyone deciding that for you.

Answer 9

Why do you want to declaw? Is your cat exhibiting undesirable behavior? Does he have a scratching post to use? I think you should try to modify his behavior. Declawing is cruel as you can read from the answers above.

Answer 10

Trim the claws or get those little caps to go on claws (don't know where I've seen them, but I know they're out there. How would you feel if someone just cut your finger off at a knuckle point? It's inhumane to declaw a cat.