Declawing My Cat......Hmmm?

Question

Well, I was talking to a few people about my cat today, and one of them mentioned I should look in to declawing her. (Because she noticed the scars and a brand new scratch on my arm) I have never in my life supported declawing animals, but Im almost at my breaking point with this one. She was a stray cats kitten that my friend gave to me. So I definately dont know her parents, she is very moody!! But I love my baby girl, she is sweet in between the hours of 9pm and 6am, but if you mess with her inbetween there, things can get ugly, and she doesnt like people coming in our house either, so she attacks them, and that kinda sucks. But anyway, what they told me was declawing has come a long way from what it used to be and it doesnt hurt them as much as it used to. So I wanted the opinion of some people who really know what they are talking about. She's my baby, and I dont want her to hurt, but I dont want everyone that steps into my house to be hurt either!! :P

Answer 1

Declawing hasn't "come a long way". That's why it's illegal in many European countries, and lawmakers are fighting to make it illegal in the US as well.



Declawing is cruel cosmetic mutilation. There are no benefits to the cat, and is done by owners who are too lazy to train their animals, and trim their nails.



You may not agree with me, but the experts do. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), HSUS, ASPCA, RSPCA and other animal welfare groups are ALL opposed to declawing, unless the only other option for the cat is euthanasia.



If your cat is aggressive, removing it's claws won't help and may make your cat worse. Then what, remove the teeth?

Answer 2

Do not declaw your cat. This has been proven to cause phsychological issues as well as behavioral problems. This operation is actually illegal or only preformed under extreme circumstances in most Europeen countries. Why? Because this is classified as animal abuse! Have you ever seen pictures of this operation is the process? Let me just tell you that there is a lot of blood. This is extremely painful for the cats, and they can no longer jump onto objects. Cats cannot just switch off the urge to jump. Cats were created with claws for a reason, to remove them is inhumane. You should not even own a cat if you are going to declaw them.

An alternative is to trim them, about every week or so. Make sure to purchase the right materials (scissors) that are made especially for this, and you must consult some professional help before trying to trim the claws on your own. Another alternative is "SoftPaws" which are nailcaps that are fitted over the top of the claws. They are temporary and are edible.

I sincerely hope that you will not declaw your cat, as you have already stated that you do not want her to hurt, and if you declaw her, she will definetely hurt, pshycologically and physcially.

Answer 3

If you have tried all your options, and declawing is your only option, and it determines the cat having a home vs not having a home, declaw the cat. In this case, I suspect declawing the cat will only make the cat turn to biting (her last line of defense).



But before you do anything that drastic,



First take her to the vet. Cats shouldn't attack random strangers, or you during certain hours. It sounds like you cat might need kitty anti-anxiety medicine. If you a city big enough, you might even want to consult an animal behaviorist. But definitely take the cat to the vet. Anti Anxiety medicine for cats works just like it does for people. Theoretically, after the cat has learned that nightime isn't scary (or whatever the kitty is feeling) you should be able to wean her off of it. Many people don't.



Second there is a product out there called "Soft Claws" These are vinyl nail coverings that cover the claw. They cost around $20 for 40 of them. The coverings last up to a month before reapplication They are easy to apply, although if your cat is difficult, you might want a groomer or vet tech to do it the first few times. You can find these at many vet offices, pet stores, and online.



Third, look into confining your cat when she gets difficult. If you have an extra room, try setting up food, litter, and toys that is her room, and she gets put into when she is difficult. Feed her really good treats and food when she is in there so she doesn't feel left out. You want her to feel safe and secure, not hyper and scared. If you don't have the space, try purchasing a large dog kennel or even a kitty condo (wire cage with different levels). Put this in a spot that doesn't get a lot of traffic.



There is also a product called "Feliway" that is suppose to help calm cats. It depends on the cat if it works, the stuff is a bit expensive, but it might help calm your kitty.



If all else fails, I would declaw her. Just remember that in some cats, declawing causes other problems, and that the American Vet. Association has come out and said cats shouldn't be declawed after 6 mths of age.



Good Luck, and thank you for trying so hard to deal with a difficult situation.

Answer 4

I am involved in cat rescue, and I'll tell you what the vets who declaw (some refuse) won't tell you. We get a lot of cats who're turned in to the shelter for biting and refusing to use a litter box. Not all of them are declawed but a *significant* percentage are - the biters especially. There is definitely a link between declawing and these two negative behaviors. And why do the vets deny this? It's very simple. The cat gets declawed. The cat starts to bite/not use the box. Cat gets hauled off to the shelter. Vet never sees cat again.



And for everyone who posts saying how their cats are fine after a declaw, I can say you are lucky. Not everyone has the same experience. Is it worth it? Why is the US the only civilized country in the world that allows declawing (and cosmetic docking of dogs ears and tails, too)?



There are behavior drugs that will calm her down, and perhaps it's time for you to seek out the help of a (real - check their credentials) animal behaviorist who can make some real suggestions for you, rather than chopping off her toes. That may make her a biter which would surely be worse for you and your guests.

Answer 5

Don't declaw. It's illegal in most countries, and for good reason. Don't listen to people who say they've had one cat, or even a few cats, that were 'just fine'; lawmakers in *dozens* of countries found enough evidence of cats that *weren't* fine to pass a law against the practice... do you really believe that would've happened if it went 'just fine' all the time? Also, one of the complications about declawing is that it changes their posture, causing joint trouble when they get older... so even those who claim their cat is 'just fine' now can not be sure he'll still be fine when he gets old.



Also, it's unlikely to have the desired effect. Most cats that are declawed because they scratch turn into biters instead. You'll just have changed the problem rather than solving it, or possibly made it worse since cat bites are more likely to get infected than scratches.



Train your cat; when you play with her and she attacks tell her 'no' sternly and then ignore her. Use a spray bottle when necessary. Regularly clip her nails. Use nail caps when needed. Europeans manage to train their cats -I should think Americans ought to be able to, as well.

Answer 6

We got my cat declawed too for that reason. He is a great cat now. 13 and still a kitten. Just make sure the vet. has done it before... like a lot of times. Ask him/her for a pic of a cats paw after they declawed them. You may think I am stupid but we didn't and the man destroyed his paws. It cost more to fix them than declawing him. He's fine now but if you care for the cat you'll do that. Don't trust what people say. Do see the vet. in person. Ask for a pic of more than one cats paw after HIS/HER doing. I didn't do that and my cat suffered. We took the butt-head vet. to court soo he doesn't have a lisence anymore. Just have your cats best intrest in mind.

Answer 7

I'd really like to know what people are talking about when they refer to declawing as a "last resort." You're not fooling anyone but yourself by acting like declawing is the only way of protecting "people and friends and their kids when someone comes over." Why not just use Soft Claws? If you choose to have a cat declawed instead of trimming its nails or using Soft Claws, then you're obviously just being lazy. And BTW, it's idiotic to have an aggressive cat declawed, because the cat will just start biting. Do you want your cat biting everyone that comes over? No? Then just use Soft Claws.

Answer 8

I just read over all the answers that you have received. I was so distraught by the girl that claims to be "a veterinarian" and tells you that there is nothing wrong with declawing, that when my husband came into the room I couldn't even hear what he was saying. I showed him the posts, and he said that a "vet" (yeah right, if she's a vet I'm Mary Poppins) promoting declawing is like a drug dealer promoting drugs. The drug dealer doesn't care what happens to his clients in the long run, as long as he is paid. Vets who declaw don't care about what happens to the cat in the long run, because they made money. Most civilized countries have banned declawing. Suppose people in the U.S. wanted to amputate their dogs' toes, or their childrens' fingers as a means of behavioral control? Why do Americans (and Canadians) think it is acceptable to amputate their cats' toes? Imagine having all of your toes or fingers amputated and then having to walk on them or dig in a litter box. In 13 years of cat shelter work, I have seen so many declawed cats relinquished to shelters because they pee on soft surfaces rather than in the litter box, or they bite and draw blood, or they are starving themselves to death. I currently volunteer at my local no-kill cat shelter for 5 hours every Sunday and holiday. Yesterday I met the latest declawed "pee-er"... a depressed, refusing-to-eat cat that was left at the shelter because of this. He will most likely be tube fed like so many other declawed cats whose lives have been ruined. I often wonder if euthanasia would be kinder, but it is so unfair to cats that have suffered the pain and mutilation of declawing to lose their lives because of it, but it often happens. I could write a book about the declawed cats that I have seen suffer and die at shelters over the past 13 years. I have stayed many a late night at shelters trying to get a declawed cat to eat and encourage the cat to have the will to go on.



Can your vet trim her nails? Maybe he/she could prescribe an anti-anxiety medication that could help. The best solution is to shut her in your bedroom with her food, water, litter, and scratching post when you have guests. You could also research holistic remedies such as flower essences or Homeopet Anxiety formula. I am assuming that she is spayed? If not, her behavior could be hormone-related. Please do not declaw her. If she is already "psychotic", declawing will make it worse. Please email me if you have questions.

Answer 9

My mom had her cat declawed and she felt really bad about it afterward because her paws look deformed now. It's like they cut the tips of their toes off. I have a female cat and she was very vicious and unaffectionate until I had her fixed and now she is loving and all over us. She still wont let us hold her but shes a lot nicer now. Maybe you should get your kitty spayed/neutered instead.

Answer 10

I wouldnt declaw the kitty..., maybe trim her nails... there is a thing called "soft paws" or something like that... theyre little rubber caps a vet will put on the nails of the cat so that when they go to use their claws it doest tear skin or dig in quite as much. My neighbor has about 9 cats and she uses them on all... they seem to work rather well, even with the moody ones. ^^

Answer 11

If you declaw your cat this won't stop the behaviour, it will only remove her ability to scratch, and she may then resort to biting. The best solution would be to find out what triggers the behaviour and then treat that problem.



Without knowing more about your cat and her environment, there could be several explanations for her behaviour, so here's a few ideas as to what it might be. All cats retain the instinct to hunt, even if they have never experienced it for real, and that does involve stalking, pouncing and ambush. As a young indoor-only cat, she'll have a lot of energy to burn, and needs an outlet for it, so what you perceive as aggression, may simply be over-rough predatory/play behaviour. How old was she when you adopted her? Many hand-raised kittens can be aggressive as adults, because they missed out on being taught valuable life lessons by their mother. When she was a kitten, did anyone use their hands instead of toys to play with her, as that teaches cats that our flesh is fair game at any time. Does anyone spend regular time each day playing games with her? If not, invest in a toy like Da Bird so that you can spend at least 30 minutes each day playing hunting style games with her, where she gets to "kill" the toy. When she attacks people, hiss at her and walk away. (Hissing re-awakens memories of mother cat's discipline, and will make most cats back off.) Ignore her completely until she calms down, as this will teach her that rough behaviour is not acceptable. Remember to reward her for good behaviour with food treats and lots of praise. Cats are smart, and are much more inclined to adopt behaviour that benefits them in some way.



The article below has lots of information and advice on predatory/play aggression, which may help you.



http://www.petplace.com/cats/predatory-aggression-in-cats/page1.aspx



The link below has information about various types of aggression in cats and how to treat it.



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



Declawing is illegal where I live because it's classed as animal cruelty, so I can promise you that there are always more humane ways of dealing with problem behaviour. (The law here actually refers to it as "unnecessary mutilation". )



Hope this helps.

Answer 12

Hello,

My best advice to you is don't do it.

I did it to my first baby and i would never do it again. She's okay, because i did her younger but i still regret my desicion everytime i look at her. I've brought two into the house since then and they both have their claws.. i chose to leave them and cut them.



Honestly.. you'll regret it.

If you took them out now, with her age.. she'd probably be more moody, and hurting people more with her teeth, or even back claws.

i'd suggest clipping them, It'll take two or more people to do it likely, but you'll both be happier with the desicion. It takes myself and my boyfriend to do our one kitty, the other i could do on my own. Eveytime she lets you do it.. reward her with her favourite snack or food.. or give her a new little toy to rip into.

People really like the soft paws or whatever they're called (the plastic ones that go over their nails).. i've never used them but maybe that would work.



Does she have scratch posts or anything? Friends of ours has a cat that loves to attack when you walk in.. they got a scratch post and put it at their door. . so now when company comes in, she attacks that instead.. then she's lovey.

Maybe even try keeping some treats at the door and when people walk in, they can give her one.



All in all, it's your desicion.. you're going to do what you need to do but maybe you could just lock her up in a room while company is over?

Best of luck, hope it works out.

Answer 13

What happens when something attacks the cat in the future?? knowing that you took the cats only defense from them by declawing. Its animal abuse, and I can't wait for the law to get passed to make it officially illegal to declaw pets.

Answer 14

declawing changes a cats personality, basically u r taking away part of what makes them a cat!! it hurts them u r not only removing the claw but part of the knuckle as well. to save ur furniture buy a scratch post or get ur cats claws trimmed. as for attacking ppl at the door get a spray bottle and spray the hell out of her when ever she goes near the door when someone comes in. even if its ur own family. she will then associate the door opening with a massive spray attack!!!

Answer 15

don't get her declawed. Declawing a cat is the equivalent to cutting our fingers off at our first knuckle. It is very painful for them and hard to heal.

I cut my cat's nails regularly and it works well, and doesn't hurt them!

Answer 16

I have declawed my cats up front only and I agree it has come a long way from what it use to be. My cats were walking fine and no bleeding when they came home from the vets. If you decide to do it check with other people and find out which vet is the best. My cats are strictly indoor. If you are going to ever let your cat out do not do it. What will happen is they will get stuck. They use hind claws to climb up and front ones when climbing down....so you will have a cat that's stuck. All in all I think if you do decide to have your cat declawed she will be more pleasant to be around.

Answer 17

try some catnip and calming vitamins, also set up a little fort kinda like a cat crate but make it her oasis no punishemnt, I took a kitchen cart staples shams on side a little rug and toy box on top shelf - also take a rope staple tp ceiling or ceiling fan - so she can play - if sou haven't been together long it's too soon to decide on claws

Answer 18

Well, I worked at a vet's office and both of my cats are declawed. What we did is first, put them to sleep. Then the vet would take out their claws. Then we would wrap them in clean bandages for 24 hours. They are usually sore for a day or two, but they try to jump all over the place afterwards. If they try to get too active too soon afterwards, their feet can start bleeding again. We usually sent home pain meds and antibiotics (in addition to giving them both at the hospital while we were doing the surgery). The surgery is simple and fast.



What you can do is just do a front declaw, that way she still has claws on her back feet, so if she ever happens to get out she will still be able to climb up a tree and defend herself. That's how both of mine are done.



I hope I didn't scare you. I hated to get mine declawed too. I brought them to work with me and had the vet declaw them (I almost started crying). But I highly recommend it. It will keep you and your furniture safe.



And it IS NOT animal abuse, so don't let any bozo who says that convince you. I can tell you plenty of horror stories of actual animal abuse from working at the vet's office (that the owners did) and from a couple of my other jobs. And it will not cause them pain in the long run from them not having their claws. I have seen 15 year old cats that were declawed at 6 months that have absolutely no problems whatsoever.



Edit: Apparently people here doesn't know what real animal abuse is. I have seen the best and worst of people. I have held animals in my arms and in my lap as they died from being abused because they weren't brought to us soon enough and we couldn't help them. I have seen horses you could hit with a whip and they wouldn't feel it because they were so beaten down they felt nothing and it took years for them to completely recover. I know what animal abuse is. I've seen it, I've lived it, I've shed so many tears over it. This isn't it. And anyone who thinks so, apparently has never actually seen any real animal abuse or aftereffects of it.

Answer 19

Don't do it. Just trim her nails everymonth. Cats need claws to do things and without them they will suffer problems and possibly pain.

Answer 20

No, it's a horrible practice. Cats need their claws. do not do it.



And if you don't let her go outside, that may be why she is moody. She is probably bored. Let her out, let her live a little.

Answer 21

if i were you i wouldn't do it. cats sometimes get even more mad when thy are declawed. its basically saying lets leave your cat defenceless. please dont do it. it could really hurt her.

Answer 22

wonder if it hurt as much if you pull out a few of yours people who do that dont need any animals

Answer 23

Let me rip your fingernails out.



Don't do it...

Answer 24

They are right, declawing has come a long way. It not only will prevent scraches on you and your funiture, but the mood. The defence is gone (Not that she needs one, shes inside) so she becomes passive and her mood will settle.

Answer 25

It's animal abuse don't do it.

Answer 26

1. Cats have retractable claws, which means they don't need them to walk, jump or do anything else.....unless they happen to be scratching something with them. (Outdoor cats use them to catch prey, but they don't need to do that.) It is NOT harmful to a domestic housecat, nor is it animal abuse, to remove the front claws. It does not change their posture---they still stand, walk, and jump the exact same way as cats who have their claws. (Do not remove the rear ones, as they need those to scratch themselves when they itch....and they are also what the cat uses if it accidentally gets outside. Ever watch a cat fight or climb? Those rear claws are crucial.)



2. If you decide to have it done, your cat will be under general anesthesia for the surgery (meaning it will NOT feel it being done), and will most likely receive pain medication afterward, if it is needed. They'll talk to you about preanesthetic bloodwork to help decrease anesthetic risk. I highly recommend it---and in many cases, I require it.



3. Find a DVM experienced with using a surgical laser for that procedure. It seals the nerve endings....so there is virtually no pain afterward (pain meds are not "needed" when it's done with a laser. I KNOW THIS for a fact, because I have zapped myself with the exact same laser at a power much higher than what is used for declaw surgery. Less than 5 seconds afterward, there is NO PAIN AT THE CUT SITE WHATSOEVER.) Less than an hour afterward, cats that have been laser-declawed are up walking around normally, grooming themselves, etc. (You still need to restrict the walking and jumping for a week or two, in order to allow tissues to heal properly.) The laser also cauterizes (seals) the tiny blood vessels, so bandages are not even needed anymore. There is very rarely even one drop of blood---and that is without any tourniquets, which means there is zero risk of accidental nerve damage (radial nerve paralysis) from the tourniquets, like there USED TO BE. It was rare, but it still happened from time to time. Not anymore. No possibility at all...none...zippo. The laser also destroys any bacteria at the surgical site, making infections rare. Postop complications in general from laser declaws done by experienced surgeons are exceedingly rare. And since the entire ungual process is removed, there is zero chance of regrowth of a deformed claw----it cannot grow back in any way, shape, form, or fashion when the ungual process is completely removed.



Talk to your DVM about it----please don't listen to the "yahoos" on here who give answers based on erroneous emotions and things they've "heard." Just make sure all of your questions are answered to your satisfaction in advance, by the surgeon who will actually be perfoming the procedure.

It's still not my *favorite* surgery, but it no longer bothers me to do it. Cats do great with it. And if your cat is scratching you or your guests up, there are diseases that can be transmitted that way---Bartonella, for example. You also have to worry about legal liability when your cat "attacks" visitors....because you ARE legally liable for their injuries.



If you are not sure, try Soft-Paws first. But most of my clients come back a few months later saying they find that that's more trouble than it's worth. It will buy you some "deciding time," however.



Don't let anyone make you feel guilty if you decide to declaw. Those who do refuse to acknowledge the millions of cats who have been declawed that have no problems with it whatsoever----ones we see for the rest of their lives, so we know.



Many laws are passed based upon nothing but emotion and pressure from special interest groups that scream "abuse" to get attention. Just because a law is passed doesn't mean it's justified.



Edit on 3/4/08: Hmmmm.....if I were "only recommending it for the money" I wouldn't have any declawed cats of my own, now would I? (Not all of them are, only a couple who met my criteria.) I sure don't make any money when I do that---it's not like I can charge myself for it. It costs me money to do it, too...even for my own cats. The drugs, supplies, and equipment don't just show up on my doorstep for free. And I sure wouldn't choose 'that' surgery to promote for making money.....because all things considered, we barely make any money on it as it is. (It ought to be a $2000-$5000 surgery, but I bet no one here has paid anywhere close to that.) And I find it ironic that the woman who compares me to a drug dealer also suggests using DRUGS (which have side effects and must be closely monitored with periodic evaluations and bloodwork---something I'm thinking this cat won't approve without an "argument") to control this cat. The truth is, this is just this cat's personality. Some cats are this way and can't be changed at this age. (Like some people can have deeply ingrained personality traits, so can animals.) They're gonna do what they're gonna do, claws or not. Declawing this particular cat is NOT likely to make it worse (unless all 4 feet are done, which I don't recommend), but declawing it can prevent serious human injury/infections, etc. from developing. If this owner doesn't declaw, it sounds like it's only a matter of time before that happens, leading to either the euthanasia of the cat or turning it over to the animal shelter, who will likely also euthanize it for the behavioral issues. Contrary to what has been posted here, THAT is the main reason people turn cats in----for behavioral issues----not anything related to declawing. Declawed cats have no higher predisposition to urination outside of the box issues than the general cat population. If a declawed cat does that, it was already going to start doing that at a certain age anyway---due to an unrelated medical cause that some owners find to be too much trouble to treat medically---in other words, it was going to become a problem anyway, irrespective of the cat's clawed/declawed status. *Sigh* But no, I haven't seen this issue arise literally hundreds upon hundreds of times. Guess I should go burn my diploma now. *sigh*

Oh, and as much as people would like to convince others, removing a cat's claws is NOT the same thing as amputating the ends of the fingers or toes of humans, who use those parts for other things. The claws of a cat have one function and one function only----to scratch. (Unless they live outdoors and catch prey.) At all other times, they are retracted and not being used. The exception to that is the big cats like lions, tigers, etc. Their digital anatomy is different, and that phalanx stays extended all the time (like it does in dogs), which is exactly why *those* species CANNOT be declawed without creating ambulation problems. Domestic cats walk on their digital pads and P2, whether they have claws or not. P3 (the part removed in declaw surgery) is not at all involved in walking, etc.....EXCEPT in the large species of felids.



Add'l edit, to the asker: What color is your cat? Is it by any chance a torti or calico?



Final edit, for the asker....and for anyone else who wants to educate themselves as to the truth rather than a bunch of alarmist propaganda....here are some post op pics of some so-called "mutilated" feet that I pulled from my private surgery files that I keep to show to colleagues interested in learning new procedures:



1. Tigger's paw, immediately post op. He had just been taken off of the isoflurane gas and oxygen anesthesia. He was 10.6# and just over 2 yrs old at the time of this surgery. He was up walking around perfectly normally less than 2 hrs later. His owner, who had had many cats declawed "the old way" was thrilled. Said she never saw any evidence he'd even had the surgery.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj175/GroupTwoPics/386.jpg

Closeup: http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj175/GroupTwoPics/385.jpg

Oh, I should note: Later that afternoon, I happened to walk by and noticed him batting around a ball in his cage and took it away. When I asked around to find out which staff member I needed to scold, it turns out that one of the animal care attendants had given it to him because she said he acted like he wanted to play, sticking his paws out through the cage door to (playfully) "bat" at her hair as she was cleaning the cage underneath him. She'd come in after lunch and thought he hadn't had his surgery yet....she saw "declaw" on his cage card and thought is was scheduled for the NEXT day. She was used to them laying around and being lethargic after declawing at the previous clinic where she'd worked, so she just assumed he was preop.

2. Mushroom, an 8.7# Siamese mix. He was about a year and a half when this surgery was done. This is immed. postop, still intubated and on plain oxygen (off gas) at this point, and hooked up to IV fluids, with pulse oximetry clip still on his tongue. You can't see them in this photo, but his ECG leads were still on.

In other words, I had JUST FINISHED the surgery on the foot in the foreground...literally less than a minute before taking the photo. The foot with the IV had already been done by another surgeon (we usually put the IV in the rear leg for this surgery, but this one had it in the front instead.) See the teensy tiny speck of blood right next to it? It was her very first one, and I was teaching her how to use the laser. Pretty danged good to only have one tiny speck of blood in only one out of 5 toes, for a first time.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj175/GroupTwoPics/012.jpg



I have well over a hundred pics like this. (Quit taking them after while