declawing a cat?

Question

how much does it cost to get a cat fully declawed- like all 4 feet?

Answer 1

It's the most barbaric, cruel, and unnecessary thing you can do. If you love your cats, don't do it. Doing all four feet is the worst, because they need their back claws to bury their pooh. It makes it painful for them to use the litter box, so expect them to start going in the house. You're basically chopping off their fingers. Would you do that to your children? Then don't to it to your cat. Some vets are refusing to do it now, and every good shelter will make you sign an agreement to never declaw.

Answer 2

If you are thinking of declawing a cat, or a veterinarian suggests declawing at the same time as neutering, before you make a decision for non-reversible surgery, please consider these reasons NOT to declaw. Your cat will live his remaining years with the result of your decision, one way or another.

1. Declawing is NOT Just Nail Trimming

Nor is declawing only the removal of a portion of a claw. Instead, it is the surgical amputation of the first joint of the cat's toes. Whether this procedure is accomplished with a scalpel, a guillotine-type cutter or a laser, it is major surgery, and not to be undertaken lightly.

2. Declawing Does Nothing to Benefit the Cat

You will sometimes hear the disclaimer, "It's better than putting him to sleep." This is a fallacious argument, and usually offered only to soothe the owner's conscience. Only the cat's owner can make the decision to kill her cat because of scratching problems. He or she can also make the decision to let him keep his toes. Unlike neutering, which does benefit the cat, both healthwise and behavioralwise, declawing simply does nothing positive for the cat.

3. Declawing Robs a Cat of His Chief Weapon of Defense

A typical counter-argument is, "My cat is indoors-only." Even indoor cats sometimes manage to escape. A declawed cat does not stand a chance against a large dog, a bigger cat, or a predator. Although he still has teeth, by the time he gets in close enough to bite, it may be too late.

4. Declawing is Painful Surgery

Think of it as 10 amputations (if only the front feet are declawed). Pain meds may help initially, but phantom pain may last for weeks or months, as nerve endings heal. Dr. Nicholas Dodman describes the pain following surgery: "Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain."

5. Declawing May Lead to Litter Box Problems

Declawed cats often associate the pain when digging in litter with the litter box itself, and will avoid it, choosing softer carpeting instead.

6. Declawing Sometimes Leads to Biting Problems

When cats lose their ability to give a quick warning scratch, they will often resort to their second line of defense: a good, hard bite. The cat's owner may sometimes find himself the victim, just when he thinks his cat is enjoying a petting session.

7. Cats Need the Exercise Their Claws and Toes Provide

Watch a cat stretch, whether horizontally on a carpet or vertically with a tall scratching post. He will grab the carpet or sisal with his claws, using the resistance to pull and stretch his muscles. Cats' claws actually play a large and positive role in their amazing muscle tone and agility.
Altered Gait May Lead to Later Joint Problems

8. Domestic cats are digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes. Walking with an altered gait because of the lack of the first digit of the toes can affect all the joints of the leg, resulting later in arthritis of the hip and other joints. Jean Hofve, DVM describes this joint deterioration more fully, in her article, "A Rational Look at Declawing."

9. Cats Need to Be Cats for Their Entire "Nine Lives"

Honestly, if a cat could speak human language, do you really think, given a choice, he'd say, "Sure thing. Cut off part of my toes?" His claws and toes are an integral part of making a cat a cat. Would you honestly want him to be anything less, especially since there are humane alternatives? It's your decision, but please take your cat's needs into serious consideration before making such a drastic and permanent choice.

Answer 3

--DONT GET YOUR CAT DECLAWED--
Seriously.
Don't even consider it.
Cats that have been declawed tend to have emotional issues after, you're basically taking away all their protection and it leaves them very insecure and weary. When you 'declaw' a cat, you're removing the top of their toe. They lose some of their innate balance. The whole ordeal is extremely stressful and should be avoided. Declawing your cat is one of the worst things you could do to the poor thing. If your furniture is being torn, there are countless objects on the market that will prevent that from happening. If it's even a bigger deal and none of those seem to work -you aren't meant to have a cat-. That's it.

Many vets don't even offer the service to declaw your cat because it's -that bad for them-. It's like asking your doctor to remove your hands.

Answer 4

i wouldn't declaw your cat its illegal to declaw your cat in some countries and its like taking the whole nail off of a person.its very painful for the cat and even though your cat may be an inside cat,it can get outside with out and claws it cant defend its self.and if its scatching your stuff why dont you try a scratching post and if that doesnt work then a way to stop your cat from scratching is when he/she is scratching something you tap them on hind leg and say NO look them in the eyes because cats dont like that and you may have to repeat the tapping and the No part but remember to be gentle and its only a cat eventually hi/she will learn what no means and stop remember to reward your cat when he/she is being good and not scratching your stuff.good luck

Answer 5

Depends on your vet......and which type of procedure they use. Laser surgery is the best way to declaw...it is less painful for the cat...takes less time to do ....and recovery is quicker.
It ,of course, is more expensive than general surgery.
However, unless it is truly necessary, please only declaw the front paws. Cats need to use thier back claws to defend themselves. Is your cat an indoor or outdoor cat? Generally vets don't like to declaw all 4 paws if it is an outdoor cat.

If you do not have a vet, check out your nearest cat hospital.

Answer 6

You don't need to do all four feet. Four would just be cruel. I can understand the front 2, but no need for the back, that would just be hell for cat. Take a look at my questions to see what people wrote about declawing. I asked a couple questions a few days ago... there are some alternatives.

Answer 7

You need to research this before you have it done!

It is terrible for the cats. Another person on here had a terrible experience. Her cats paws were glued of something. It is inhumane and not needed. If you look at your finger they would basically cut your finger off up to the first knuckle. Doesn't sound like fun does it? Cats need their claws and their is no good reason to have them declawed.

Answer 8

First off, declawing should only be done to newborn kittens. Its just like when docking a dogs tail, and dew claw removal, it must be done in the early stages of life.. usually within 4 days of life. Second, declawing a cat is by far one of the most painful things you can do to them, and for the surgery they cut off their entire first knuckle. Look at your hands, and imagine having your first knuckle removed on each finger.. tell me you'd enjoy that? If their claws are a problem, find someone who doesn't mind them, or find other ways for them to take out their scratching instincts. Scratching posts, scratching tree, etc. But declawing them is very very cruel, I only agree with it if done in the correct time frame, and as a last resort for health reasons for the animal to prevent future difficulties. Good luck.

Answer 9

Please don't declaw your cat, it is very cruel, there are other ways to stop a cat from scratching the furniture. When my cat scratched, I got a spray that you can spray on the place that is scratched, they don't like the smell, but that was a few years ago, now there is things called claw caps to cover their claws. Please check out all other alternatives before doing anything, It's like cutting off part of your fingers,you wouldn't like your nails being chopped off. Better still find a better home for kitty with someone that will truly love him/her claws and all.

Answer 10

dont get all 4 feet declawed , how are they gonna scratch if some thing itches , there not gonna be able to if all 4 feet are declawed , and its mean too