Declaw or not declaw your cat?

Declaw or not declaw your cat? (Full Version)

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winterlight -> Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 9:54:53 PM)
If you declawed what behavior changes did you notice? If you didn't are you sorry you didn't? Are you glad you didn't? Just curious...

bamabbwsub -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:07:56 PM)
I personally would NOT declaw a cat. Some people believe that it's like removing a fingernail, but in actuality it is more like removing the first knuckle from a person's finger. Even the new "laser" surgery for declawing doesn't change that. It is very painful and can cause some behavioral issues in a cat -- particularly litterbox issues (the number one reason why cats are given up by their owners). I have 8 cats and only 2 are declawed -- and they had been declawed before I got them. And for those of you who are wondering...no, my furniture has NOT been destroyed. :) I have put up scratching posts (the "rope" ones, not the carpet ones) wherever they tend to scratch, and they much prefer to use the posts than my couch (catnip does help). Or put down sisal rugs for them to use. There are lots of alternatives to declawing, including a product called SoftPaws, which covers a cat's nails and can prevent any damage done by scratching. With that said, however, if it came down to having the cat declawed vs. getting rid of the cat (i.e., taking him or her to the pound, where he or she will most likely die), then by all means declaw it. But try ALL of the available alternatives to declawing FIRST before making that decision. I have never regretted my decision to leave my cats with their claws. *added some stuff*

CuriousLord -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:08:46 PM)
I have one part of my extended family who have kept a good number of cats. They're typically against declawing, as they keep outside cats and want the cats to be able to defend themselves. Inside the house, however, such cats can make an even bigger mess of things. I'm under the impression that it's a good idea if it's an inside cat, bad idea if it's an outside cat. Then again, I've never had a cat.

slaveboyforyou -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:14:17 PM)
I have a cat, and I would never do that to her or any cat. I don't care if it is a outside or inside cat (of course I have a big problem with people that coop up their cats inside; cats deserve to enjoy the outside just as much as we do.) It is like removing a knuckle, and it's a barbaric practice. If you decide you want a cat, you have to be prepared for the fact that cats like scratching things. If you can't deal with their scratching and claw sharpening, than don't get a cat.

Owner59 -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:21:39 PM)
The human equivalent of de-clawing, is cutting off each finger tip at the 1st joint.Think about it. There are ways to get them to claw a designated spot.Pet stores have claw boards made of cardboard.Place them where the cats scratch and after they mark it w/ scent(which happens as they sharpen their claws),you can move them to the carpeted cat tree,or like area. It`s not healthy and leaves them completely defenseless against dogs. DON`T Good luck.

bamabbwsub -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:29:19 PM)
A couple of online articles about declawing if you need them: http://www.amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html (with many, many links to other sites about declawing) http://www.pawproject.com/html/faqs.asp And, of course, the HSUS and the ASPCA are unequivocally against declawing. With good reason, IMO.

faerytattoodgirl -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:32:06 PM)
NONONONONONONNO dont murder a cat! thats what declawing is! bad bad...

DomKen -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:34:31 PM)
I adopted a declawed cat many years ago. The poor thing stopped using the box right after being declawed. It was pretty obvious she was in a lot of pain and her behavior was affected. I took her into a vet and it turned out the original vet had pretty badly botched the amputations. My vet went in a removed bits of bone that was the source of the pain. She recovered and went right back to using a litter box. Of course she was completely defenseless except for her teeth and she clearly knew it. She wasvery timid with my brothers dogs, my present cat a big healthy fully clawed Maine Coon treats my brothers boxers as potential scratching posts. She was a very sad kittie and eventually one day she was simply dead. Since then it has been my policy to not declaw my cats. They all have been taught not to scratch my furniture, my big red leather sofa is scratch free after 5 years and two cats. Also do not let your cat outside except on a harness and lead. There are many dangers for cats in the outdoors and a cat not raised by a an outdoors mother in the outdoors simply won't know to avoid many of these dangers. Furthermore feral cats are a resovoir of obth FIV and feline leukemia both of which are contagious and lethal. My big throw rug of a cat has adapted quite well to a sturdy harness, a smallish dog harness not a one of the flimsy cat ones, and has gotten to quite like going for night time walks when there is fresh snow to play in.

Owner59 -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:36:44 PM)
http://www.amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html Without this your cat would not be able to properly grasp, hold or establish footing for proper walking, running, springing, climbing or stretching. Think of the cat as having 10 toes on each foot. Declawing is akin to cutting off half their toes. When the end digit, including the claw is removed, the sensory and motor nerves are cut, damaged and destroyed. They do not repair themselves or grow back for many months. Following the surgery there is a wooden lack of feeling, then a tingling sensation during the long convalescence while the cat must walk on the stub end of the second digit. Remember that during all this time the cat may not "rest" his feet as we would after a similar operation but must continue to scratch in his litter box, walk and attempt to jump as usual regardless of his pain. Great links, bamasub.

swtnsparkling -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 10:42:18 PM)
Years ago I did with my two cats so they would not distroy furniture etc. I had planned they would be indoor cats. However they sneak outside just one time and they had the bug- they wanted out an became masters of finding a way but now had no way to protect themseleves I'v never had another cat declawed if he wants out he is free to go plus has a way to fight off and or protect himself if need be. He will also come running home when I call his name or whistle.

winterlight -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 11:01:37 PM)
my neighbor has a cat she let outside. A coyote got it we think as it just disappeared. Now she has two cats and they are indoors. I would never let a cat out of the house for that reason unless leashed. there is a lady that walks her cat. I think its hilarious but understandable. First and only time i have seen a cat walked. Better inside than dead or maimed by another animal. i adore animals btw...i was just wondering what the general consensus is..thanks!

OedipusRexIt -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 11:05:29 PM)
I vote for not de-clawing. Bad enough that spaying and neutering are so necessary to their health that we do it so casually (think about it). To de-claw would only be for an Owner's convenience. Hardly worth the sacrifice, and really unfair to the pet.

KnOcala -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 11:07:10 PM)
I would only consider it if the cat was going to be strictly an indoor cat.

PrizedPosession -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 11:08:41 PM)
-shakes head- my mom declawed our cat and when we first got him he was all happy and running around and then for a few weeks after he wouldn't walk very far or leave bloody paw prints all over. Once he tried to jump on the washing machine and he missed and tore open his stiches...it's not pretty. Just leave them be, put up some scratching posts and a spray bottle if they try furniture

SugarMyChurro -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/26/2008 11:57:30 PM)
Death before declawing!

Hottiegurl -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/27/2008 12:00:30 AM)
I vote for not declawing. I have had many cats and even though they may damage things with their claws leaving them without them can be dangerous for them. My cats have all been jumpers except for one. When I mean jumpers I mean they jump at least six to seven feet maybe more to get up on top of cabinets and furniture. Without claws they would never have made some of them. Then when they have playmates etc in the house they need those claws for certain reasons, such as pecking order. Normally they don't hurt each other. Most of the time my cats have been hurt by neighbor cats. They now go outside mostly in the backyard with my dog. She loves the cats.

proudsub -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/27/2008 12:06:53 AM)
How are they supposed to catch mice for you if declawed?

BlackKnight -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/27/2008 12:13:14 AM)
Declawing is wrong on so many levels, I'd be like removing your fingernails. Hurts the normal functionality of their claws, puts them in excessive pain. leaves them defencless. Just trim the claw like a fingernail, but only take off the tip! this way they don't have to sharpen them on furniture or anything.

mstrj69 -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/27/2008 12:14:55 AM)
I followed my vets advice, remove the front claws so it could not hurt itself by trying to hang on by it's claws but leave the back claws for jumping and defense. If my cat want outside, it either gets in the garage if I am not going to be home or if I am home, the first floor window is open and it knows it can jump onto the ledge and then down onto the outside but can get back inside whenever it wants or neads to do so. I have also let it outside onto the roof over the porch or the garage from second floor if it just wants outside in the sun vs outside to roam. She lets me know which she wants and depending on weather she may or may not get what she wants.

mstrj69 -> RE: Declaw or not declaw your cat? (1/27/2008 12:16:48 AM)
P.S. she still tries to scratch the furniture with her front paws.

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