Any cat lovers?

Question

I'm not a cat guy myself, but my Sister just got a new cat. She brought up the topic of "declawing" and everyone within earshot became irate. Can you share with me your personal stance (or experience) on this topic. All answers appreciated.

Answer 1

You love your new cat, but he’s clawing and scratching all your furniture! The immediate resolution that comes to mind is to have him declawed, but before you rush into this you should think long and hard for declawing a cat is not a simple procedure - it is a major surgery involving surgical amputation of the first joint of a cat’s toe.

Declawing is a painful surgery for your cat. While your cat will get pain medication for his after surgery recovery, the tips of the nerves need time to heal and he can be in pain for weeks or even months until this has happened. This can cause your cuddly little kitty to become highly irritable and aggressive.

Not only that, but the claws are a cats chief chief weapon of defense. Sure, you take every precaution to make sure your cat doesn’t get outside, but what if something happens and he finds himself alone in the elements facing other animals?

There will always be occasions when a cat may be confronted by other cats or dogs. Then, it will find it impossible to strike back, because it has no claws. To use its teeth, it needs to get close to its attacker, which may not happen. A declawed cat therefore become a helpless victim in front any aggressor.

Declawing can also lead to problems in the litter box. Declawed cats sometimes avoid the litter box and choose the softer carpet instead since it is painful for them to dig into the litter. Declawing can also lead to biting problems. Since this is their second line of defense, some cats may resort to deep biting to make up for their lack of claws. Even during play, your cat can no longer scratch as a warning and may be prone to biting now instead.

Claws and toes also provide exercise to your cat. When a cat stretches horizontally on a carpet or vertically with a tail scratching post, it pulls and stretches its muscles by grabbing the carpet or post with its claws. As a matter of fact, the cat’s claws play a large and positive role in its extraordinary muscle tone and agility.

Finally, declawing can cause joint problems later on in your cats life. Cats walk on their toes so the absence of claws can affect all the joints of the leg resulting in arthritis of the hip and other joints later.

But you don’t have to sacrifice your furniture in order to save your cat the pain of declawing. With time and patience you can train your cat to scratch in a more desirable area. Make sure you invest in a scratching post or accessory that your cat likes. Mine loves the simple corrugated cardboard slabs that you can buy in any pet store.

Watch your cat carefully and you will see a pattern of when and where he likes to scratch the most. Put the scratching post in the room where he likes to scratch and wait for him to scratch in his usual place. When you see him starting to scratch distract him and lead him over to the scratching post. Praise him when he uses the post and say “Bad Kitty” when he uses the furniture. Eventually he will start to favor the post - you just have to make him think it was his idea!

Answer 2

Here in Switzerland it's been banned as being a cruel and unnecessary procedure.

When a cat is declawed his toes are cut off at the first knuckle. Then, the cat has to walk on paws that have essentially been mutilated and which can become infected quite easily. Declawing is known for causing several behavioural issues such as litter box avoidance and biting. It can also lead to some fairly severe back and shoulder problems later in life because the cat cannot stretch properly if it can't dig it's claws in to something for traction when it stretches.

Answer 3

That a tough one. De-clawing a cat is not just removing the claws but removing the last joint of each toe. Recovery from this surgery would be painful I would think. On the other hand, I know people who have cats that are de-clawed and the cat seems to be fine and has a forever home. With my Persians (I was a breeder for a number of years), I would clip their nails regularly and provide scratching post. By starting this practice as kittens, they were use to the nail clipping. It worked. Cats still had their claws and I still had my furniture (*_*)

Gratz on the new cat.

Answer 4

I think it is a disgusting practice, and the only reason it should ever be done is for medical reasons. Declawing a cat is like cutting off your finger past the nail.


Everyone is talking about how declawing is a great way to get your cats to not scratch on furniture... have you people never heard of a scratching post? All three of my cats have their claws, and all three use their scratching post. Purchasing a post could save you money and trama to your animal.

Answer 5

Cat lover here... It all depends on what environment the cat will be living in on wether you need to declaw the cat... if it is an outside cat, i would not recommend it. this is bc it would have very little chance of successfuly defending itself against outside animals. If you have children its a good idea to get the cat declawed. My two cats have been partially declawed, they have their back claws, but no front claws. This was done so that if something was to happen and they were to get outside or whatnot they would have a chance of defending themselves. Since they have no front claws we can still play with them easily and they do not tear up items in the house as easily...

but its all personal preference!

Answer 6

Why would anyone want the cat to be declawed? That's what it uses to surive the out doors. Not only are you taking its way of protecting its self, your also taking away how it catches its food. Even though its an inside cat. What happens if it runs away and you'll never see it again, how will it take care of its self then? If you want just try to clip its nails short but don't take them away premitently. If you dont want your cat sctratching up your stuff why in the world did you get one in the first place?

Answer 7

I dont( personally ) like to declaw them. Its taking away There Natural Habbitts, Get Cat trees To scatch, My sisters cat acted weird After Declawing & got a Infection from it to, But there are Sprays to spray on Furniture ( ask pet shops ) also Tame Your cat With a Kids Water Gun ( wont harm the cat ) to stay off Tables & things you dont want It on, Cats love To climb & sit Up High, I highely Suggest to go to walmart/ Pet smart/ Any store to Get a High Cat tree, Yes you may have to spend from anywhere From 60$ to Higher, But a Cat needs There High Places, Mine Is Indoor & never was declawed, I have 3 Cat trees, & very Happy with them.

Answer 8

Declawing will have the cat sore for a few days, if you go to a pet department store like petsmart or petco, you will find what they are called soft paws, it a rubber claw that goes over the nail, you apply a bit of nailglue in it and slip it right into the nail, I always left the big toe out, she had a scratching board she loved.

Cats don't forget things, and when that cat wakes up ans sees your sister and he/she is hurting, the cat will remember that she hurt him/her. I'm telling you this because I saw it..

Don't declaw your claw... they go through alot of pain :(

Answer 9

Declawing a cat would be like removing a person's fingernails. It's cruel. Once/month I go to my local pet store and they clip my cat's claws for $5.00. It takes a minute and the cat doesn't mind. Most cats won't claw the furniture if you buy them a scratching post and show them how to use it.

Answer 10

I think its terrible to think that you can do whatever you want to a cat to "accommodate" it to your comfort

the cat is a living being, and it feels pain, just like you and I do, declawing is a safe procedure, however, how would you feel to have your nails removed?

If you want to save your furniture, at the expanse of causing pain to your cat, then you're not a cat lover at all