is it ok to de-claw a 4 year old cat?

Question

is it ok to de-claw a 4 year old cat?

Answer 1

No! It isn't Ok to declaw a cat of any age, nor is a casual pointless question like this OK, what is the reason behind the question, what makes YOU think it's OK?



This casual assumption that cats only need claws for defence is dangerous, indoor cats have as great a need for their claws as their more fortunate brethren with accesss to outdoors, they need them to groom, to play, to balance properly on their toes as they walk and to anchor themselves for a good stretch of the entire body which cats need to keep their body supple. they also use pads/claws as markers, leaving messages by the act of clawing. They are quite happy to do all this on a scratching post or pad bought for their convenience.



declawing isn't taking the claws out, it is amputating the toe ends from the last joint from which the claw grows. How can it be OK when 38 countries of the world have seen fit to ban it as grossly inhumane?



If you need visual evidence of how bad declawing can be look here:

http://clawsforever.ning.com/group/advicebureau/forum/topics/pictures-of-declawing-1

and read this

http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/declaw.html



So, do YOU think it's Ok to declaw a cat?

Answer 2

De-clawing a cat is a serious surgery and shouldn't be done just for convenience sake and saving the furniture. It should only be a last resort to getting rid of the cat, if it is aggressive for example.

They don't just remove the claws they remove the entire first knuckle of the toe. Any cat would experience some pain after the procedure but an older cat would suffer more. They basically have to learn to walk again without the ends on their toes, easier for a kitten, hard for an adult.

Also, if you do decide to de-claw your cat you need to make sure it stays indoors. Otherwise it is unable to protect itself.

Answer 3

It is NEVER ok to declaw any cat (or mutilate any other animal for the sake of vanity)



Declawing is a vanity mutilation for the lazy. It is so easy to train a cat to scratch posts and pads!



Declawing cripples cats for life. Everyone above has given great answers about the alternatives and ways of training a cat to scratch appropriately.



Because cats are so stoic about pain, even vets and techs are often useless at identifying when a cat is suffering. This is one of the reasons why this barbaric surgery still occurs in America. 38 countries worldwide have banned or severely restricted this surgery, they deem it too inhumane to put a cat through it and recognise that the cat needs its claws to live well.



Why subject a perfect animal to a barbaric mutilation. Furniture cannot feel pain. Children can be taught to handle animals gently and with respect. No cat ever scratched a person without reason. Declawed cats often become biters because they are in pain and have no claws to explore their world.



Why would anyone want to cripple their pet?



Visit those links posted above, learn the truth about declawing.

Answer 4

You do know that de-clawing a cat involves cutting off their tip of their toes, from the first joint to the tip - right?



Look at your hand, imagine having the tip of each finger cut off, at the first joint/knuckle.



The recovery from de-clawing is very painful and there are not many pain relievers that work in cats and they don't work for all cats.



The reason people de-claw cats to prevent, or stop, the cats from scratching things.



If your cat scratches things, there are many thing you can do short of cutting off the tips of their toes.



In the 26 cats we have had in the past 21 years, we had two that scratched furniture and we resolved those problems.



Rusty would scratch the sofa, we put double sided tape on the sofa and would pull him away and yell NO at him. He quite fairly quickly.



The other was an older cat, named Kalib, with behaviorally problems. Kalib was also diabetic and we adopted her just before she was about to be sent to a pound. She was 12 1/2 years old.



I worked with her for quite some time and was able to resolve all of her behavioral problems, including the scratching.



What problems are you having with your cat that makes you want to de-claw it?



Please come back and edit your question to add details about the problems so that we can offer you suggests as to how to alleviate the problems.

Answer 5

Anybody considering declawing there cat should read these websites. To see what declawing really is. It’s not just a simple surgery of removing the claw. It’s an amputation of 10 digits.



Please at least consider other option before declawing.



Most of the problems with declawing has nothing to do with the actual surgery. Declawing is the worst thing you could ever do for your cat. Most cats that do have problems are not visible. Most of it has to do with their back muscles. Cats need their claws in order to stretch properly. That would be like a human not being able to stretch when they wake up it the morning. Imagine how stiff you would be? So that results in back problem their whole life. And because cats are VERY good at hiding pain/sickness you can't really tell.



Also you should know that when a veterinarian declaws a cat without trying everything else possible they are breaking the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) guidelines: Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s).



Here are a few items you can use to stop a cat from scratching:

Scratching post

Softpaws

Double sided tape

Water bottle spray

Can of air

Aluminum foil

A bottle/can with something noisy in it

Also you can trim your cat’s nails back once a week

Sprays:

PETCO Bitter Break Training Spray

Nature's Miracle Best Behavior Pet Training Aid



Also if you have a scratching post & your cat is not using it you can get some catnip & rub it on there or they sell catnip spray. Also it might not be big enough. A scratching post needs to be as long as that cat.



Also people think it’s ok if they get it done laser. NOT TRUE. Watch this video. It’s long, but worth it. The part about laser is 10:44 into the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaEx-qe2wBw



All of the stuff below is from research & the websites listed below. Not written by me.

The cat's claw is not a nail as is a human fingernail, it is part of the last bone (distal phalanx) in the cat's toe.



Many vets & clinic staff deliberately misinform and mislead clients into believing that declawing removes only the claws.



Many cats also suffer a loss of balance because they can no longer achieve a secure foothold on their amputated stumps.



Among 218 cats relinquished to a shelter, more (52.4%) declawed cats than non-declawed cats (29.1%) were reported by owners to have inappropriate elimination problems.



Psychological & Behavioral Complications:

Cats who were lively & friendly have become withdrawn & introverted after being declawed.



In some cases, when declawed cats use the litterbox after surgery, their feet are so tender they associate their new pain with the box...permanently, resulting in a life-long adversion to using the litter box.



Other declawed cats that can no longer mark with their claws, they mark with urine.



Many declawed cats become so traumatized by this painful mutilation that they end up spending their maladjusted lives perched on top of doors & refrigerators, out of reach of real & imaginary predators against whom they no longer have any adequate defense.



Removing the claws makes a cat feel defenseless. The constant state of stress caused by a feeling of defenselessness may make some declawed cats more prone to disease. Stress leads to a myriad of physical & psychological disorders including supression of the immune system, cystitis & irritable bowel syndrome



Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain.



Some veterinarians are now promoting laser declawing as a "guilt-free" procedure. While laser declawing can reduce the bleeding & perhaps diminish, to some extent, the agonizing pain, the procedure is the no different, only the means of amputation.



The Cat’s Claws:

Unlike most mammals who walk on the soles of the paws or feet, cats are digitigrade, which means they walk on their toes. Their back, shoulder, paw & leg joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments & nerves are naturally designed to support and distribute the cat's weight across its toes as it walks, runs & climbs. A cat's claws are used for balance, for exercising, & for stretching the muscles in their legs, back, shoulders, & paws. They stretch these muscles by digging their claws into a surface & pulling back against their own clawhold-similar to isometric exercising for humans. This is the only way a cat can exercise, stretch & tone the muscles of its back & shoulders. The toes help the foot meet the ground at a precise angle to keep the leg, shoulder & back muscles & joints in proper alignment. Removal of the last digits of the toes drastically alters the conformation of their feet & causes the feet to meet the ground at an unnatural ang

Answer 6

No it isn't OK to declaw a 4 year old cat or come to that, to declaw a cat or a kitten of any age. It's a very cruel operation which turns perfectly healthy cats into disabled cats.Cats need their claws for walking, grooming and exercise, they have to dig them in to stretch to keep their leg, shoulder and back muscles healthy.

All you need is a good strong scratching post.

Please read the following to learn more about why declawing is never acceptable:

http://kattaddorra.blogspot.com/2009/05/putting-straight-some-facts-about.html

Answer 7

Absolutely not. Would you take a 27-year old human and amputate their fingers up to the first knuckle? Or take a 4-year old dog and extract all their teeth?



There are MANY ways to prevent cats from scratching or whatever the problem is. Provide multiple scratching posts, use double-sided sticky tape, spray water at the cat, use SoftPaws nail caps, ETC. Please search for 'declaw' on YA and you will get all the advice you could need.

Answer 8

Please don't de-claw your cat. It's never "Okay". Consider what you'd feel like if someone cut all your fingers and all your toes off at the first knuckle. It's not just the nail they take off it's the tip of claw at the first joint. Owwwww. There are many other ways to keep your cat from being destructive with their claws. It would be better to send your cat to a shelter than to de-claw it.



Here is a good article:

Answer 9

I am answering your question assuming you love your cat.....



It is not ok to declaw ANY cat of any age. Do you know how it is done? By now you do, of course, as the folks who are knowledgeable have already told you about it.



But just to highlight it, here are some rather graphic photos of a declaw surgery.

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html



After you see them, and you love your cat, please reconsider any decision you have made.



Cats need their claws for balance, to stretch, and for a first line of defense in case they need them. They also use their claws to mark their territory.



There are many alternatives to declawing, including learning how to clip nails, soft paws- covers for the nails, and of course giving them the right scratching posts and trees. Posts need to be covered in rough textures, and at least 36 inches tall. Cat trees are just great, and cats love them.



Do not inflict this pain on your cat. Your kitty may also start biting and peeing outside the litter box, due to the pain and inability to use the box.



So, again, it is never ok to declaw. It is banned in over 38 countries around the world as it is considered cruelty to animals.



Troublesniffer

Owned by cats for over 40 years

Member; Cat Writer's Association

Answer 10

I truthfully have an older cat besides, dont understand the age through fact we saved her from a typhoon whilst she replaced into little. yet I truthfully are turning out to be 2 cats considering the fact that (the two at diverse situations) and till now each and every thing the previous one might growl and hiss and slap at them through fact they have been crammed with capability and desirous to play yet once you supply them time, the previous cat will the two heat up or get to the element the place they are able to all be on an identical sofa (no longer sound asleep next to one yet another) and be completely nice. And in case you de claw the kitten it incredibly is going to study promptly (de clawed or no longer) that when the older cat growls which potential it doesnt % to play, and the kitten will pass on and discover some thing else to do. My previous cat discovered to tolerate them through fact she finally found out they werent going everywhere and now they play mutually now and lower back yet she frequently likes to maintain to herself and sleep. yet each and every now and lower back she surprises us by utilising cleansing the smaller cats. reliable success and desire this helped!

Answer 11

Personally, and I am sure many agree with me, it is NEVER ok to declaw a cat, and even more so, one that is already 4 years old. It's a barbaric surgical procedure, that unfortunately is still being practiced by many. Many have answered your question and tell you about the cruelty of declawing. I agree whole heartedly. I would not even go to a vet who perform this surgery, mainly because his profit seems more important than the welfare of his patients.

Answer 12

Controversial topic

I, for the life of me, can not understand why people declaw their cats?? How did people adjust and handle non-declawing BEFORE it ever existed? Okay, cats scratch on furniture. Buy or build a scratching post. Cats scratch owners and other family member's arms. So do dogs! I, personally think its is humane!! CONVINCE ME that it is okay to cut the knuckles off a cat!!

Answer 13

10 years ago my cat named Skooter was annoying me with her claws and because I worked at a vets office, I decided that I would have her claws removed. Skooter was 5 years old and a little overweight. The vet asked me if she could do all 4 paws and I decided (without thinking it all the way through) yes, why not?



I'll tell you why not... imagine not being able to scratch the most benign or small itch? How about not being able to defend yourself? Then, because her feet hurt, Skooter gained weight and because of her weight gain, she walks like her feet have been bound, and she has arthritis. All of her problems are the result of my having her declawed. Would I do it again? No, I was an idiot for not thinking through how difficult I have made her life.



Maybe a front declaw would be OK, especially if you are considering giving your kitty away because she is ruining the furniture but please, if your kitty is overweight, consider the fact that she will gain a lot of weight from the inactivity due to the pain.



It is really good that you are asking this question. A pretty good article that is not pro or con: http://cats.suite101.com/article.cfm/pros_and_cons_of_declawing_cats



Also there are countries in the world who have OUTLAWED the procedure. Gives you something to think about!

Answer 14

i agree, you shouldn't do it. it can be traumatic to the cat. and the money you will spend doing it you can spend on things to prevent the problem you are having anyway. is your cat scratching your furniture? if so do you have a scratching post for her/him? a big thing with that is they need to be out in the open because cats scratch as a way to mark territory so if you hide the scratching posts it wont serve their purpose. Or are your cats scratching you or your kids? if so first off make sure you keep them trimmed trust me they hurt way less that way. they also make little claw caps to help with both problems. also double sided tape on the surfaces they are scratching help too.



here's a link for the caps:http://www.softpaws.com/

Answer 15

I wouldnt de-claw a cat. EVER. Its so mean. its like taking off your finger to ur first knuckle. it also might effect the cat using the litter box for awhile becasue of it.

Answer 16

Declawing is NOT okay. Not at 4 years. Not at 4 months. Not at 4 weeks. Declawing is mutilation of the cat's paws... NOT just taking their claws out like you may be thinking. Cat's will have behavioral and destructive issues from the time they are declawed. Are you prepared to deal with that for the rest of it's life? Are you ready to deal with litter box issues for the rest of the cat's life and a cat who refuses to use the litter box because it's now too painful on it's mutilated paws? Are you ready to deal with a cat who may bite for the rest of its life?



If your cat ever mistakenly gets out of your house, she's dead. She has absolutely no way to defend herself.... none.



The people who owned my cats before I adopted them declawed them. That's what I've been dealing with for the past four years. Cat's who refuse to use the litter box. All because their previous owner decided they wanted to mutilate their cats. I've also dealt with cats who bite in the middle of loving and cuddling. And they bite hard enough to draw blood. Again, this is because their previous owner decided to mutilate their paws. Declawed cats have no defense anymore so some of them resort to biting and they bite hard enough to draw blood. I'm not the one who declawed these cats but I'm the one living with the destruction someone else decided to inflict upon these two.



There are too many down sides to declawing. I'm sure you asked because you weren't aware of them. Please find some other way to distract your cat and for her to use her claws on.... There are plenty of them.... scratching posts ... Cover your furniture... Plenty that will not hurt your cat in any way.

Answer 17

No, it's not okay. Would you like the tips of your fingers cut off? Same thing.

Answer 18

Declawing cats is VERY PAINFUL for them. please don't make your cat suffer.

Answer 19

It is just fine. The only thing you have to worry about is the weight issue. If he or she is over weight then it will be more painful for him, due to the fact that the paws will be tender. If your cat is at a good weight then it should fine.

Answer 20

As long as you intend to keep it in the house.



A friend of mine got a cat from the animal shelter and it was a couple of yrs old when she got it. She declawed it and it is fine.