Thoughts on declawing cats?

**ritabelle** · 12-04-2008, 02:16 PM

I've always thought declawing was a little cruel but I don't know exactly from a medical standpoint. Our two cats are both very bad scratchers and have ruined our sofa and dining room table.

We bought them a scratching post and bigger multi-story scratching condo thing, but they never even considered scratching them... they became the rubbing post and the lounging condo. Now that the sofa is hemorraging stuffing we're considering replacing it but not if it's going to get destroyed like our dining room set did (within a month the legs were trashed).

What are your thoughts on declawing?

**Gardengal18** · 12-04-2008, 02:19 PM

I personally don't like the idea of declawing. What it Kitty gets out? She won't be able to defend herself and declawed cats tend to start having "biting" habits to overcompensate.

Try sprinkling some "Cat Nip" on the scratch posts and Condo thingys. Also a water gun has worked a couple of times (that's all it took) when my 2 had a "relapse" and went for the sofa. Worked for my 2.

**Missy** · 12-04-2008, 02:22 PM

if it's between declawing and finding them someplace else to live, I'd declaw them. are they strictly indoor cats?

If you are queasy about declawing, get a groomer to show you how to trim and dull their claws. Get the tools and do it yourself, it's a good opportunity to check over hte cats physical health at the same time when you do it. They also make rubbery "tips" to put on them, although the determined cat can get them off.

I declawed several of my cats, they lived happy and fine lives afterward. Follow the vets follow up care to the letter and they will be fine.

**Missy** · 12-04-2008, 02:23 PM

the reason i ask if they are strictly indoor cats getting out without claws isn't as big as the issue of getting out and not being "streetwise" so to speak.

**The Muse** · 12-04-2008, 02:30 PM

I would not declaw adult cats. I have 3 indoor cats. The two I adopted as kittens were declawed at the same time they were neutered and they're fine. The third one came to me as an adult and I did not declaw her. I think it would be cruel to declaw a cat that grew up having claws. I'd also worry about bringing on other behavioral issues if it felt "punished" by the declawing.

**Twinkle** · 12-04-2008, 02:32 PM

My indoor cat accidently got out (about 8 years ago) and I was glad she had her claws for the week she was missing.

**leezza** · 12-04-2008, 03:18 PM

I think it is CRUEL end of story......Just like taking someones finger nails off.....

Sorry I am not trying to be mean I just am not a fan of this practice.

leezza

**bumplett** · 12-04-2008, 03:28 PM

it's not quite taking off fingernails - it's more like taking off the first DIGIT of each finger.

It's painful.

Personally, I believe it's cruel.

http://www.declawing.com/

**vigilant20** · 12-04-2008, 03:45 PM

I had it done to my cat. It's commonly done here and the vets automatically make an appointment for you assuming everyone will have it done. I didn't hear about anyone thinking it was cruel until after I became vegetarian and was introduced firsthand to some animal rights sorts. Is it really? I dunno. I've heard the rest of the things AR activists have to say and take it all with a grain of salt. Could I live with a clawed cat in the house and the damage he would do (my cat scratched on everything from walls to furniture)? Absolutely not. Could I live without a cat? Doubtful. I've already had a discussion with kitty explaining that I love him but I'm getting a kitten as soon as he leaves me...hehe.

**pinkdaisy** · 12-04-2008, 04:29 PM

I have two cats that are about 1 1/2 years old. I have had them since they were 8 weeks old and I did not, and would not, ever have them declawed. They are indoor only cats and from the time they were young I trained them what they could scratch and what not to scratch. Just like children, they are not perfect but the do pretty well. Scratching is a natural part of their grooming just like you file your nails so they must have an appropriate outlet for the behavior. When they were small they had those small scratching posts and as they have gotten bigger I got nice scratching posts at Pets Mart that are a good 3 feet tall. This gives them room to stretch out when they scratch which is another common cat habit and why they go to the sofa. Also, I always get the scratching posts that have the rope instead of just carpet as this is very pleasing to them. I broke them of scratching the furniture by placing the scratching post in front of whatever they wanted to scratch. For example, they used to go after the back of my recliner so for the first year I had them, There was a scratching post in that exact spot. Early on, I would take my fingers and "scratch" the post and they would mimic me later. At my current house they have taken to stretching up the door frames and then doing some scratching so I put one of these scratching posts on the main doorway they do this on and now they scratch the post. When they try other doors I just say no scratching here and they just stop. I have had my sofa and recliner for two years and they are in perfect shape, but I am on my third set of scratching posts. lol

I think that cats are very smart and quickly learn what you are saying if you treat them with kindness and do not yell at them. The quickest way to keep a cat from listening is to raise your voice. lol I almost exclusively focus on the good and ignore the bad. Although I am first to admit, my cats are my babies and they have free reign of the house. But you know what, my cats keep me company and comfort me. They will also purr just because I talk to them and are always happy to see me, so I must be doing something right.

**bumplett** · 12-04-2008, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by vigilant20

I had it done to my cat. It's commonly done here and the vets automatically make an appointment for you assuming everyone will have it done. I didn't hear about anyone thinking it was cruel until after I became vegetarian and was introduced firsthand to some animal rights sorts. Is it really? I dunno. I've heard the rest of the things AR activists have to say and take it all with a grain of salt. Could I live with a clawed cat in the house and the damage he would do (my cat scratched on everything from walls to furniture)? Absolutely not. Could I live without a cat? Doubtful. I've already had a discussion with kitty explaining that I love him but I'm getting a kitten as soon as he leaves me...hehe.

Honestly, and I answer this from the vet tech part of me, yes, the actual first digit of bone is removed. It is very painful.
these are facts.

beyond that, I suppose it's personal preference.

I've worked for one vet that would talk his granny into declawing any cat & would do all four feet, and yet another that refused to do all four feet & wouldn't declaw after 4 months old, and yet another that didn't declaw at all.... everyone is different -

Would you chop your baby's fingers off to the knuckle??

I wouldn't.

**djbout** · 12-04-2008, 05:22 PM

We have 3 indoor/outdoor cats ( always in at night) and have not, nor would consider de-clawing. We are lucky that we were able to train them not to scratch the furniture, we sprayed them with water and it only took a couple of time and they didn't do it again. We have a good set of nail clippers designed for animals and they happily let us trim their nails. We are very non-invasisve when it comes to our pets health. They are all "patients" of a naturopathic vet, we don't even inocculate unless their blood test reveal a "need"( Blood is tested every 2 years for healthy adult animals).

**shoiji** · 12-04-2008, 06:19 PM

My cats have always been front declawed. My vet said that if it is a difference of declawing or getting rid of the cat he is more partial to declawing. I do understand it is painful. But I am not yelling at them constantly for "scratching" the furniture. My cat is an indoor cat. I have never had any problem with biting. Once in a while she might grab hold with her mouth but she is very gentle about it. Really if you don't give them a reason to bite you they wont.

I have heard of people using double sided tape to keep cats from scratching specific furniture. (Had one cat that loved crewing on tape.) Is it possible to keep them out of specific rooms? Mine knows the bathroom and closets are off limits. I just need to say out and she turns around and walks out.

I hope you can figure out what is best for you and your kitty.

**tbs727** · 12-04-2008, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

it's not quite taking off fingernails - it's more like taking off the first DIGIT of each finger.

It's painful.

Personally, I believe it's cruel.

http://www.declawing.com/

This is exactly right. I used to work at a vet clinic and assist with surgeries. It would be like having your top knuckle removed. Aside from the pain associated with it, we haven't had ours done so that if they ever get out they can defend themselves. Cats are trainable if you invest the time.

**ritabelle** · 12-05-2008, 11:16 AM

Thank you to everyone who responded! I guess it's still a personal decision we just need to make and live with.

Ours are strictly indoor kitties and since we're not home all day, training hasn't helped. I think our older cat got worse about it when our younger cat came to live with us. We thought it was the DC2 til we caught DC1 at it, and realized the table leg that was facing the wall had been shredded into matchsticks. No chance of refinishing even to make it look decent. *sigh* (and that was our first piece of new furniture, too!)

Since there's no chance we're going to give away our two baby boys anytime soon, this might be something we do in the near future, but I'll have to discuss options with our vet in January to see what she suggests.

Thanks again, all!