Declawing

[Ziggaa]

I made an appointment with my vet to have my two cats declawed. Both my cats are about 3-4 years old. I have over the past few years tried my best with the advice of stores, friends, and many nights of googling ways to remedy this behavior. So three years, one couch, two chairs and several articles of clothing in my closet I have decided it is time. I have just purchased my first house in Bowmanville and want to get some new furnishings but i know they will destroy it. So in order to save my $2000 couch i must have this done. They are only indoor cats and don't need thier nails for hunting. So i know the arguements and my wife even up till just a few months ago was against it....even she has changed her mind.....Have any of you felt the need to do this with thier cats to save thier furniture?

[Cat person]

Mutilate cats to save furniture? No I would never consider it.

It is illegal in most civilized countries.

[sparky77]

it's barbaric and cruel..... shame on you!

[SPARKY]

Never, I made a scratching post and sprayed my cat with a plant sprayer every time he scratched anything but the post, he soon got the idea.cat hate water.

[Thaiwoo]

I would never consider it! We had three cats and they were scratchers when we first got them. It took persistence using a water sprayer and several scratch pads around the house. Some people have used ballons and placed them in the areas where they are not supposed to scratch. If they still tried to scratch they busted a ballon.

If you're not home all day, you might have to contain them in one room.

We also used catnip pad on the stands and posts so they would love to go there rather than the furniture.

Also clip them regularly.

[Deathhawk78]

I've lucked out with my cat. He lets me cut his nails. I do it once a week or if they get a little long. No problems. He's pretty good about it. Just filp him on his back and I hold him while the wife cuts them.

We figured if he wouldn't let us cut them we would declaw him. That was almost 2 years ago.

[Quicksilver]

Mutilate cats to save furniture? No I would never consider it.

It is illegal in most civilized countries.


For the sake of furniture?
Give the cats to humane society or shelter then you can be at peace with your furniture!!.

There is NO reason NONE, to mutilate cats, SHAME on you both.

[Deb]

Sorry Zig, I'm too am with the majority here. I could never put any animal through that kind of pain.

[Thaiwoo]

The better half just reminded me that there's also spray that can be sprayed that they don't like to smell but is not detectable for people.

Of course it doesn't work for all furniture but it's worth a try.

[Deathhawk78]

The better half just reminded me that there's also spray that can be sprayed that they don't like to smell but is not detectable for people.

Of course it doesn't work for all furniture but it's worth a try.


I've tried one thats called bitter apple. Doesn't work for any of my animals.

[Tess]

I think you can buy these here now, as an alternative to declawing.

http://www.softclaws.com/

What are Soft Claws®?
Developed by a veterinarian, Soft Claws® are vinyl nail caps that glue on to your cat's claws. It covers the claw tips so no damage occurs when your cat scratches.

Each package of Soft Claws® contains 40 nail caps, 2 tubes of adhesive, applicator tips and easy to follow instructions.

One package contains enough nail caps for 4 applications on Kitty's front paws. Each application lasts approximately 4-6 weeks so one package lasts about 4-6 months.

Soft Claws® come in a variety of sizes so your cat or kitten will have a purrfect fit and in lots of fun colors plus clear for the most discreet feline.

(that's if your kitty will allow this, and you dont get ripped to shreds)

[Les Shaw]

I don't think I Would enjoy having my fingernails removed ..
Nah I would not like it I am sure of it ...

Please don't :(

[T_Totler]

I have to disagree with the majority here...

I have 4 cats and all of them are declawed (front paws only). They are all indoor cats, and they are certainly not in pain. They are happy, healthy and content cats as evidenced by their constant purring.

Having said that, I would never declaw an outdoor cat as those front claws are their only means of defence if attacked outdoors.

[Taz]

I have 2 cats neither declawed and over the years I have tried the water bottle, ballons,scratching posts( cats never even looked at them),bitter apple, trimming their nails and they still tore the crap out of out carpets and some furniture. Some either won't or can't learn. Why is it most people are comfortable putting their cats through the pain of spaying or neutering but not declawing ?

When our current cats move on to the big litter box in the sky, our next will be declawed then we can all be happy.

[BillD]

Give the cats to humane society or shelter then you can be at peace with your furniture!!.



So they can be euthanized?

[Tess]

I have four Persians, they are also declawed (at the time of spay/neuter) it's a personal choice. I dont believe they suffered then or now, it barely phazed them.

They're healthy and happy @ 6 and 7 years of age. They have no lingering problems at all.

Ziggaa, keep in mind if you do this, you can declaw only fronts, or fronts and backs. They will learn to use their backs if front declawed if only for defense and mine can still climb. Mine are front declawed only.

Also if you're concerned about furniture, I have leather and they can still do damage to that with their hind claws unintentionally. Two of them have learned that they can do skin damage with their hind claws too, the other two wouldnt dare.

As I said it's a personal choice, I had one that tore everything up, and having four in total I figured it was best to have them all done to save fur flying or picking on the clawless one that was the problem.

I have a scratch post as well and they still use it, they dont know the difference.

[Mouse]

I agree with Tess, as to the age that a cat would best be subjected to this disfigurement.

I would suggest adopting them out to a willing home, and get 2 new kittens.

When they are spayed/neutered, then get them de-clawed.

Front claws only please.

[Tess]

I dont see the point of adopting them out at this age, you dont know whether the new owners will have the same problem and take the same route, I dont imagine there would be any guarantees. They could face far worse in different hands.

I've heard of older kitties getting declawed, most with no complications but I would imagine it's harder on them at that point etc. There is nothing to say that they will never be subjected to this. Although I know a vet or two that will absolutely not declaw after spay. I would consult my vet and get his ideas/take on it the situation.

I can tell you that if you're as attached as I, adoption would not be an option unless I could no longer care for them.

And remember anaesthesia is not a friendly or desired situation unless necessary. You run the risk of losing them to that as well.

[Les Shaw]

I heard they remove the first knuckle this is what bothers me ...

[Les Shaw]

Just found this site ...

Quote
"Written by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling


If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision. First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude. "

found here
http://www.declawing.com/

[Cat person]

It is also illegal in Australia.

People who think more of their furniture than their cats should not have cats.

[Mouse]

Look back, and you will see you are not giving the poster any options.


Don't de-claw.

Don't adopt them out.

Do nothing!!!

[Tess]

You can debate it til the cows come home. You have to live with the decision you make.

I gave an option before stating that mine are declawed. Soft Paws. It's work and it's an ongoing expense but it is an option. I dont think 6 or 7 years ago they had those.

Anyways..I had a cat before these ones, also a Persian, when he was neutered my father absolutely refused declaw. Out of all the furniture in the house that little bugger would not touch anything except my father's chair, one after the other, he'd shred them.

It's not illegal here, so it's an option. As I said, mine have no ill effects from it and never have. They arent disabled, they can still climb and hunt, (QP caught a mouse in the garage).

I am sure there can be bad surgeries and I would not risk it in laters years.

If you dont like the esthetics of the deal (which I assure you they are fully functioning) then dont do it.

Dont judge.

[Mouse]

Me?? Judge?? No.

I love cats more then the average man, but they are, after all, pets.

I still say find a willing home is the first best answer.

Second, is to put them through the torture of surgery (look at your own finger nails, and you will quickly get the idea).

The absolute last option is to surrender them to the Pound.

[Tess]

Me?? Judge?? No.

I love cats more then the average man, but they are, after all, pets.

I still say find a willing home is the first best answer.

Second, is to put them through the torture of surgery (look at your own finger nails, and you will quickly get the idea).

The absolute last option is to surrender them to the Pound.

I wasnt referring to you.

It's my opinion only, as having one that wasnt done and four that are.

I just think in the long run I would do whatever I had to do to keep them, when in Ziggaa's situation.

Period.

[Mouse]

Then his only option, short of bankruptcy, is metal furniture??

[Tess]

Only he would know that, and there's always minimalism as a decor choice.

:d

[Mouse]

Hello, Ikea???

[T_Totler]

Is circumcision just a "brutal"?

That's a form of "mutilation" isn't it? - I was circumcized and haven't suffered any ill effects as a result. I have a 25 year old daughter to prove it :)

Taz makes an excellent point above. Most cat owners don't think twice about getting their pets spayed or neutered, yet cringe at the thought of having a cat declawed, which is totally painless.

[Mouse]

Circumcision is a "blast from the past", when men didn't know how to practise proper hygiene.

There is NO need for it in an enlightened society.

[Lesley]

I cut my cat's nails weekly. Buy a good cutting tool intended for cats. It's fairly easy with a bit of practice and a big bag of treats. As has already been said buy a scratching post. If you want the ultimate post go to Super Pet. They have beautiful 6' tall posts that have shelves for the cats to sleep on. Get the big shelves, the small ones are too small. Kitten sized.

[Quicksilver]

So they can be euthanized?


C.r..p NO!!
Should have proof read before posting!!
I was a bit ticked, well..very ticked at the time!!

Sorry about that.
:(

[Quicksilver]

So they can be euthanized?


C.r..p NO!!
Should have proof read before posting!!
I was a bit ticked, well..very ticked at the time!!

Sorry about that.
:( :(

[Ziggaa]

I do appreciate the feed back...I also want to let you know I have thought long and hard about this....the last couple years to tell you the truth....I rescued these two kittens a few years back from a farm north of Oshawa....they were both near death and we have got them healthy and happy.....Please dont' think i'm trying to be cruel because i'm not....I do put this type of surgery in the same classification as having my cats fixed...Isn't chopping off thier nuts mutilation?...They sure survived that and are still happy....(and I know I wouldn't want my nuts removed). My vet assures me they will be sore.....but will not be in any severe pain....In about a weeks time they will be running around the new house happy as before. These two cats have never been outside since i've had them and yes, i'm guilty of having this done for my convenince...At the end of the day they will be declawed and they will live long happy lives with two owners that love them very much....

[Taz]

snip.... they will live long happy lives with two owners that love them very much....


and in the end that is the most important part

[Cat person]

Looks like I've wasted my cyber breath on this one but there's always a chance that someone will see reason before it's too late and maybe change his/her mind.

[BillD]

Theree seems to be more than one method of declawing. Our vet does it in a fashion where there are no bandages and the cat seems to not suffer, even a few hours after the surgery. Our cat walked normally when she came home from the vet the same day.

[Mouse]

Ziggaa, you have stones, for sure. :d