To declaw, or not to declaw?

Question

I know this is a really controversial question, but all of my cats growing up had their front claws removed, and I'm considering having my kitten declawed when I have her spayed (at 6 months)... just wanted some opinions??

She is and always will be an indoor cat, absolutely. And no offense, but she will 100% be spayed no matter what, as I feel that animals who have been fixed are much happier and more comfortable in general.

To defend myself (as I feel that some of these posts have been an attack on me, for simply asking a question), I have had more than 10 cats throughout my lifetime, ALL declawed in front, my parents live on a farm and almost all of the cats go outside -- any that have passed away did so by being put down because of old age. So while I understand it may seem inhumane to declaw a cat, it will by no means kill her. And no, I am not considering declawing her to save myself from being scratched, it is to save my house! Growing up my parents replaced the carpet in every room of their house as a result of cats who had scratching posts galore - so NO they are not always the answer.

Answer 1

Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items. However, if you feel that you must either declaw or give up your cat, I'd rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong companion. If you do decide to have your cat declawed, I suggest you have the surgery done at the same time she's spayed, that you only declaw the front paws and that you always keep your cat indoors.

Answer 2

very controversial subject, but I'll try to be balanced!

When you declaw a cat, it is essentially the same as amputating your fingers to just past the nail. It is painful, sometimes permanently, but normally just until it heals. Some cats have issues with balance for the rest of their lives as a result of the operation, sometimes it will change their personality, and like any surgery sometimes it can lead to infection and death of the animal (but so could spaying, and most wouldn't dispute doing that!). It may make the cat more likely to bite, and if the cat is an indoor/outdoor cat it could be dangerous (less able to defend, climb trees). Some vets refuse to do it as it is definitely viewed by some as cruel and inhumane.

That being said, sometimes it is the only way to stop the cat from destroying the house, for some animals. Sometimes the choice is declaw or get rid of the animal, and although controversial it seems harsh to get rid of an animal! It is definitely different than cropping ears or tails, and obviously sometimes isn't cosmetic but necessary.

We have 3 cats, 2 with claws and one declawed before we got her. We considered declawing our other two as a last resort, however we were able to avoid it. My advice is that if you have the space and some time, build yourself a huge cat tree. That was super effective for us, and we have had no furniture scratching issues... Although the cat who we have that's declawed still scratches at the furniture without her claws, and would likely have shredded our house if she'd had claws.

I guess bottom line my answer/advice would be to do it if it's necessary, but given that it painful, could have negative consequences, and is expensive, do it only as a last resort. You may be able to avoid it.

Answer 3

In my opinion it is best NOT to declaw IF you can avoid it. That having been said it seems clear that you are offering your cat a good home and that is the most important thing. So here's what I would do if I were you: Give her a chance. Try to get her to use the scratching post. Some cats are very cooperative about this. Others are not. If she can confine most of her scratching to the post then leave her be. If she starts to destroy your house you always have plan B to fall back on. Good luck. I hope you have many happy years with her.

Answer 4

Well, I found myself in this situation 8 years ago, I worked at a vet hospital and had my cat spayed at 6months, my circumstances changed and I got divorced and had to move into a rental, my landlord said either the cats claws go or the cat goes, so needless to say I got my cat declawed at 11 months. I know the question is very controversial, however, when it means a good home for the cat I agree with it. I would certainly recommend that you do both procedures together and I would definately ask your vet his/her opinion as well. Good luck to you and your new kitty.

Answer 5

If your cat has any chance of maybe running outside I'd keep the claws. I have owned one cat that was declawed (not by me) and he would nip me to get my attention. I have 2 indoor cats with claws and they are fine. We got a kitten at 6 weeks old and she had a good role model to teach her only to use the scratching post. I found that a spray bottle filled with water does very well to deter the cats from scratching what they're not supposed to. Just because you know you're cat won't get outside at your current residence doesn't mean it won't try when you move. I had a cat that took off outside while we were moving our things from one house to the other and I never saw her again. She had her claws, so I know she was able to protect herself. My cats having their claws is a comforting feeling for me.

Answer 6

I will not attack you in any way. I will just to let you know that my cat is declawed and she is a very happy cat and she can do things that she did when she had her claws. This is what I learned when I got my cat declawed.
No personality problems
no behavorial problems
no bitting problems
no litter box problems
can jump up and down from furniture
she can play with cat toys normally
I had her declawed when she was very young.
Here is a link that will tell you all about it and I hope it will help you.

http://www.geocities.com/declawing/index.htm

Answer 7

wow guys, what would even make you think that a licensed and trained veterinarian would be so inhumane as to not give them pain medications after something that is considered an amputation?! I am a veterinary technician and we ALWAYS give pain medications for EVERY procedure that involves going under the knife. It is just like a human hospital and no veterinarian anywhere would do something like that. If you have problems with her scratching and clawing then i would say go for it. Its not as horrible as you would think. If you have your other cats declawed then you know what happens and how they act. I think that its something that you can make a decision on :) claws or no claws they can still defend themselves :-p

Answer 8

Not a good idea. But the real question is why do it?
Just because the others were, is not a valid reason.
Cats that are declawed have less of a chance to defend themselves.
Introducing your cat to a scratching post rubbed w/ cat nip usually will keep them from scratching up furniture, and should you need it, a spray water bottle or a water pistol will also help deter cats from scratching walls, furniture, or door ways.

Answer 9

do get her spayed. I agree that cats get along better when they are fixed. Plus it prevents even more unwanted kittens in the world

however, i would not get her declawed. I feel that it is the equivalent of chopping off our fingers/toes. They used them to balance, walk, climb, and defend themselves. They can get used to no claws, but its not worth it.

To get the cat not to claw your stuff, you need to invest *time* into her. if you are always gone, or too busy to train ehr, then you should not have her. I have three cats right now, they are all males, fixed but with claws. I spend about 8 waking hours at my house with them. I have never had a problem with them clawing at stuff. I used a squirt bottle for a while and it worked on two of them. The 3rd kept clawing, so i asked him to stop, and he did. None of them claw at the carpet or sofa, they *only* use the post. But you have to train them to use the post.

Answer 10

Ask your vet for other options first--like the little kitty claw covers--they're plastic, they fit over the claws and they come in different colors.

Declawing cats is like removing the tops of your fingers. Some cats start biting after they've been declawed, some won't use their litter boxes anymore, and they all certainly have to live out their lives disabled and disfigured because of this cruel treatment.

Watch some videos on declawing on the internet and ask yourself if you really want your kitty to be subjected to that torture.