Declaw or not to declaw?

[Diablogrl]

I am moving into an apartment complex that "prefers" for cats to be declawed (and its been something I keep meaning to go do) but I have some moral reservations regarding having it done. I've read a million stories online about how cruel the procedure is and how cats who have it done are never the same (their personality changes or they start to bite all the time). My cat is very well-trained, she only scratches her scratching post and one computer chair that is made of a very similar material (I squirt her with water, make loud noises, and yell at her to no avail...she loves the silly chair). What I'd like to hear from this board is (1) whether your cats are declawed and your comments about declawing and (2) I've heard about something called "sticky paws" which is supposed to keep cats from scratching stuff. Does it really work?

 

[shyybabe]

I have been a firm believer of not declawing kitties until we got our two recent additions. I had heard all the horror stories etc and since my cats are indoor, they never go outside, wouldn't need them for protection.

They were quite frisky when younger and ended up scratching themselves more than the furniture. Although they did quite a number on the wallpaper while I was at work!!!

They did the declawing at the same time as the spaying and kept them in the hospital for two nights. They didn't have any bandages on their paws when they came home (as I had heard) and were 100% fine.

The hardest part was trying to poke the pills down for their pain medication. They told me not to let them jump for a couple of days but as soon as I freed them from the cage, up on the counter, then on the fridge, then on the cupboards with no apparent pain.... so they were off and running.

Its much safer when they play now and they had no ill effects. They still scratch at the curtains, haven't lost the desire, its just harmless now.

 

[concrete]

I am moving into an apartment complex that "prefers" for cats to be declawed (and its been something I keep meaning to go do) but I have some moral reservations regarding having it done. I've read a million stories online about how cruel the procedure is and how cats who have it done are never the same (their personality changes or they start to bite all the time). My cat is very well-trained, she only scratches her scratching post and one computer chair that is made of a very similar material (I squirt her with water, make loud noises, and yell at her to no avail...she loves the silly chair). What I'd like to hear from this board is (1) whether your cats are declawed and your comments about declawing and (2) I've heard about something called "sticky paws" which is supposed to keep cats from scratching stuff. Does it really work?

once you decide to de-claw forget about the cat fanciers 'blue ribbon'.
the front paws are allright.. doesn't leave them totally defenseless.
the older the cat ,the more territorial,perhaps a good choice
not as painfull to the cats as you think,,more to your pocket book.
1 still clawed..2 de-clawed ..good luck

 

[Mischka]

My oldest is declawed. She scratched everything, and her claws were always extended. I tried the sticky paws, but she'd work intently on biting them off until she was free again. After ripping a foot long hole in the middle of my parents' new ottoman, she was declawed. She recovered in two days, and has had no problems. She still scratches the scratching post sometimes - I think she likes the way it feels on her paws. The vet says she's in good condition, so even though I felt guilty at the time, I'm okay now.

I chose not to declaw the younger cat. He only scratches his posts, and doesn't use his claws when playing with the older cat. I clip his nails every weekend, so they're always short. If you can get away with trimming, I'd do it. It's less expensive, and not nearly as traumatic for the little one.

 

[Kitte]

I think it is a cruel and brutal thing to do to a cat. The short term effects can me minimal but the long term ones are the ones to watch out for. I have a cat who came to me with her front claws removed...she now has arthritis in those paws. it makes it hard for her to jump and sometimes painful for her to walk. Your cat sounds well behaved why chop off part of her hands??

 

[H'venlee]

I have three cats and only one is declawed, but that is the way I got her. My cats rarely scratch the furniture anymore, because I always make sure they have a scratching post that they like. I don't believe in declawing a cat.
Depending on how old your cat is, if it is older, some vets will not declaw them. That is one way to get around the silly apartment rule...a note from the vet.

 

[Diablogrl]

it has always struck me as an inhumane thing to do...but I've always known people who had their cats declawed. Since researching whether I should get my baby declawed, I've run into way too many horror stories about botched declawing attempts. My baby is a very good cat (with the exception of the chair), and I am also very good about clipping her nails.

Thanks for your comments everyone!

 

[Kitte]

it has always struck me as an inhumane thing to do...but I've always known people who had their cats declawed. Since researching whether I should get my baby declawed, I've run into way too many horror stories about botched declawing attempts. My baby is a very good cat (with the exception of the chair), and I am also very good about clipping her nails.

Thanks for your comments everyone!

I think that is the key. Training and proper nail care should eliminate the need for declawing in most cats.

 

[Guest]

If something thinks they are going to pull my bloody finger nails out by their roots...








I'm going to scratch their fucking eyes out!



Oh, by the way ... have a nice day.

 

[LadyDarkFire]

If you can, I'd say don't get the animal declawed. While there are some cases where the cat is better off declawed, if your cat is well behaved, and over the age of about 6 months, I'd say best not to do it. Older cats will often find it hard to adapt, and if you're good about keeping the claws trimmed or using certain products (there are several forms of plastic sheathes for the claws that prevent them from doing damage, but are not permanent, I think they were called Soft Paws, or something like that), can really help. If the appt complex "prefers" cats declawed, I'd talk to the manager about other alternatives they'll find ok.

All of my animals are rescue. I have four cats, none of them are declawed. We don't have carpet, and they don't use the furniture (mainly leather) for scratching. We have rugs for them, and they occasionally sharpen their claws on those, but since we bought them specifically for the cats, we don't mind.

I think the best bet is to explore all avenues before deciding on doing the declawing. Talk to your vet about other products, etc, that could be all right, and again, talk to the appt manager about what else you can do. Declawing is Expensive, can go really wrong, effects the cat, PERMANENTLY, and can lead to other problems. It's something that if you can, I'd recommend avoiding.

 

[Jim_Henson]

Hang on, now Lavy is a cat?

 

[bobman936]

Declaw or not to declaw

I have two cats, one 8+ years and one 3+ years. The oldest destroyed most of my furniture and led to many lectures from my SO about a lack of parental guidance and training.
Both of the cats have been declawed and seem to have suffered no harm. They are both frisky, playful and as demanding of time and attention as any cat (the oldest thinks he's a dog in that respect).
They are destined to be inside cats and seem to thrive. They are the absolute masters of their domain. They tolerate me so long as the apartment rent is paid and the cat bowl is sufficiently full of food.
I expect that they will live long and prosper.

 

[CarolinaBabe]

Just one more opinion, I've had many cats over the years, and I've never had any declawed. Now, I've only one,and he is 16 years old. I've never regretted not declawing.....even though he loves my furniture and sometimes my legs!! He is a very proud cat and I believe he would have lost some of that if I had chosen another path.....I really would not want my toenails removed. And furniture is simply a material thing, not like my sweetie...who didn't really ask to be mine....I chose him. He's never harmed anything in any of my homes, such as walls or carpet....only my furniture....and occasionally skin!

 

[Basia]

Cats tent to scratch up door fraims with their front paws, not the back. If they get out, they use their pack paws to defend their selves. If you get them declawed, just get the front ones removed. That way land lord is happy, and cats can defend their selves.

 

[Lasher]

Declawing cats is barbaric. After a certain age they acutally have to remove part of the toe to remove the claw.

Like everyone said above, it's all about proper parental guidance and proper nail care. What you need to do is provide your cats with a place that is their own for scratching, for our 3 cats we've got a 6 foot tall cat tree that they can scratch to their hearts content plus another smaller scratching post in their room that's close to their food and water and the one litter box.

What you want to watch out for is once a cat has his/her scent on a spot they will return to that same spot over and over. The squirt gun mentioned above is a great way to discipline a wayward kitty and make him think twice about returning to that spot. There are also products available in your local pet store that you can apply to furniture or carpets or whatever and your cat won't go near them anymore, lol.

 

[freakygirl]

I have two cats.. both declawed. One was declawed at 6 years old and the other was declawed at around 3 years old. (No partial toes were lost and no lasting damage was done)

They both go outside.. are avid hunters (and catchers of birds and mice). They both climb trees and fences. As far as cat fights.. They either never get into them.. or they always win. Because neither cat has ever come home with the shit beat out of them

The declawing didn't change their personality at all. One cat is still as neurotic as she always was.. and the other still thinks she is a dog.

 

[Cheyenne]

My cats are always indoor cats and always declawed, all four paws, when they are kittens. The younger the better. I've noticed nothing wrong with any of my cats in terms of personality, etc. after declawing.

 

[Guest]

My cats are always indoor cats and always declawed, all four paws, when they are kittens. The younger the better. I've noticed nothing wrong with any of my cats in terms of personality, etc. after declawing.

This is incorrect.

We all know your "army of attack cats" are fully armed and dangerous.

You're just trying to fool everyone.

 

[Guest]

One cat is still as neurotic as she always was.. and the other still thinks she is a dog.

You trying to lure me out?

 

[Cheyenne]

This is incorrect.

We all know your "army of attack cats" are fully armed and dangerous.

You're just trying to fool everyone.

My cats think they are babies. The younger one will lay on her back in your arms, as a baby would. She will sleep that way.

 

[Guest]

We have several cats - none declawed.

We have timber poles in our basement - we wrapped sissal rope around the poles, floor to ceiling. The cats love them - they can climb all the way to the ceiling and the texture is rough enough for them to break in their new nails - perfect.

We also made a cat condo with several climbing poles and places for kitties to sit (carpet remnants and landscaping timbers). They love it - looks like the lion house at the zoo.

But - they leave our furniture alone - it isn't as much fun to scratch!

(our kitties are babies, too - very snuggly)

 

[Guest]

My cats think they are babies. The younger one will lay on her back in your arms, as a baby would. She will sleep that way.

Your cats could stop a small gang from penetrating their fortress. Two of them could take out that deer out back you keep yammering on about. They probably already have.
The younger one sharpens his claws with a little emery board and smokes Marlboros. It's that one picture of him that inspired InternationalFunboy's av collection. Well, it
was a cute picture...

 

[Cheyenne]

Your cats could stop a small gang from penetrating their fortress. Two of them could take out that deer out back you keep yammering on about. They probably already have.
The younger one sharpens his claws with a little emery board and smokes Marlboros. It's that one picture of him that inspired InternationalFunboy's av collection. Well, it
was a cute picture...

Well, they DO like watching the deer! Except I haven't seen the buck bake in my yard since the day that thread started to get me to buy a decent camera!

No emery board, they are DECLAWED, remember?

 

[deliciously_naughty]

When I adopted my cat from the shelter, they made me sign something saying I would never declaw her. At the time the only way to declaw a cat was rather inhumane. They can do it by laser now, but you're still removing not only the claws, but some bone as well. As someone else said, this can lead to arthritis later in life.

Lady isn't declawed, but I trained her from a young kitten that there are places where it ok to scratch, and those places ONLY. I'm a big fan of the make a loud noise school of cat training (as much as anyone can train a cat.) have some coins in a metal coffee container, or similar metal object. When the cat does something wrong, like go to scratch your couch, shake the container at him/her. They do learn to behave properly.

Conversly, my roommates cat is declawed in the front. But he tries to scratch everything b/c he's never learned that it wasn't ok. However it drives me nuts.

I personally think declawing is cruel. And you said they "prefer" for the cat to be declawed. I'd "prefer" to be a millionaire. Isn't going to happen. So I would just assure them that the cat won't do damage to their stuff.

 

[Purple Haze]

Imagine a doctor removing the first digit of every finger on your hand.

That's exactly what declawing a cat is.

What a wonderful thing to do to a friend...