Thoughts on declawing cats?

[Rosebush3]

I could not bring myself to mutilate my cats. They have clawed two spots on my sofa, big deal. I just can't imagine putting them through a ten-digit amputation for the best interest of a sofa. But that is my opinion on it. If you are considering declawing then, please, at least gather all the information regarding this as you can. There is much to read and learn out there. I have learned a few things myself after looking this up. These are some of the things that I didn't know before:
Just like the rest of us, cats get stressed out too and the most effective and common way for cats to relieve that stress is to scratch on things. This should concern all cat owners for the simple fact that if your cat can't cope with stress they become destructive.

Cats have stress relieving spots on their paws and scratching relaxes them. So without being able to scratch you have taken away there main source of stress relief, and that is going cause behavioral issues much more serious than cat scratching.

When you declaw your cat it causes pain which when they walk into a litter box causes more pain from the uneven surface and abrasive litter. This pain is associated with using the litter box. Again causing a serious potty problem when they refuse to use their litter box anymore.

Declawing can cause secondary tendon contracture, which makes walking uncomfortable. Additionally, because they are missing the third joints of their paws, declawed cats tend to shift their weight to their hindquarters, which can create balance problems and lead to atrophy of frontquarter muscles. The lack of balance is extremely upsetting for a cat, which relies on balance in everything it does. Some cats also suffer nerve damage or even permanent paralysis as a result of the procedure.


Plus one other concern is that instead of scratching they have to give you warnings in other ways so they will begin to bite. Many and most cats get a biting problem after being declawed.


Palooka stated that cats' personalities can change following a declawing, I have also read about this.
Now I can't give you any advice from experience of having had it done. I've only known one cat who had been declawed, she pushed out through a window screen (was an indoor cat only) and never came home. Eaten by a predator I would imagine. Your decision is between you, your cat and your sofa, just please become as informed as you can about this.

[shortcake]

If they are still young I think I would have them declawed. Every cat I have owned has been declawed and they all go outside. They have all come back with mice, birds you name it and never come back with a scratch on them. So I believe that not having claws doesn't hinder their ability to hunt or defend themselves at all.

[SandNOceanGirl]

Here are a couple of options you mights consider:

~You can get plastic caps that slide over your pet's nails (not sure how they work but you can check into it- here's one place you can check softpaws.com)
~Get your vet to trim your cat's nails

[fixer]

We have had five cats. They were all declawed as kittens. While I am sure it was painful, I did not notice much distress. The bandages seems to bother them more than anything. None of them were biters and they all still continued to scratch, although with no destruction. Many vets now use lasers in surgery that are supposed to reduce healing time. They were all strictly indoor cats. I don't think a cat should be declawed if allowed to go outside. We could not have a cat that was not declawed so maybe it was a selfish decision on our part.

[quiltergirl]

It can't hurt to at least try the Soft Paws before you talk to your vet. http://softpaws.com/
Unfortunately most vets don't know anything about them, but they were developed by a vet.

I have used them and they do work. I don't think they are quite as easy to put on as they say, but I at least think it is worth the effort. It is a two person job -- one to hold the cat and the other to put on the nail covers. Just like with fake fingernails there is glue involved. But once you get them on they should be an immediate solution to your problem.

Now for a couple more not so immediate solutions. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. You have to be consistent, patient and persistent for it to work, but it can be done. Use a spray water bottle and whenever you catch them scratching where you don't want them to say "NO" in a firm tone and give them a squirt of water. That should make them stop, but it might take a couple of squirts. If your cats are obsessive groomers like ours it will also distract them for awhile and keep them busy grooming. You have to do it every time you catch them and it will most likely get worse before it gets better. You also have to reward them when they scratch where you want them to -- attention, treats, toys, whatever works for your cat. Like I said it is not a quick fix or an easy one. It takes time. It is best to start training when they are kittens. Rubbing catnip on the scratching post might also help. Cats are also territorial so once they've claimed a place for any purpose it can be hard to change that behavior.

I hope you choose not to declaw -- I think it is cruel and inhumane. But you are right it is your decision.