A few days ago, I saw a beautiful kitty lying in a cage at my vet's, and asked what's wrong with her. He replied she's an abandoned cat referred to him from another vet. She's a purebred cat, and at the time the vet wanted to see if he could sell the cat or possibly get kittens from her. Unfortunately, as it turns out, while she was in a cage she scratched a customer's dog, causing him to repay the customer. In a rage, the vet declawed all four claws of this poor cat.
The vet said if we wanted the cat, we could have her for free after the treatments are over. I am so saddened by this poor thing lying there with all her paws maimed. She refuses to eat, and hisses whenever anyone comes near. She's in a cage right beside dogs, which make her nervous with all their barking.
She's a young cat who's had an unfortunate beginning in her life. My husband wants to adopt her, but I'm not sure. I've never seen a declawed cat; I just heard horror stories about what a cruel procedure it is and how it changes the cat forever. Besides, I already have two cats who have all their paws.
My question is, assuming the cat wasn't exeptionally timid to begin with,
Will the cat be okay living with my two clawed cats? Will she be forever timid and defensive towards my other cats, due to her lack of claws?
How much of a normal "cat" life would she be able to lead? I don't allow my cats to go outdoors, but will she be able to run and climb cat towers, at least?
Are there complications with declawing, in the long term--as cats live for more than 10 years?
Anyone with experience in having clawed & declawed cats together -- or with declawed cats in general-- please help me out. My heart breaks just thinking about her.
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