Laser Declawing

[salugrad]

I know many here are against declawing. I'm not in favor of it either. We have three beautiful kitties (ages 4 and 3) and my husband insisted that we get them declawed after much damage to our home. We tried training them and tried using soft paws. Neither solution worked very well and therefore my husband insisted on the declawing, the alternative was to give the cats away (not an option for me). I was totally against the declawing but did some further research into alternatives. I came across some information about a procedure called laser declawing where they do the declaw with lasers. The procedure is much less invasive and the healing time is quick. They got the surgery on a Tuesday and we picked them up on that Thursday. They were pretty much normal when we brought them home. I still feel guilty about it, but I'm glad we didn't go the cheaper more painful route for them.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Did you not consider a new husband? Sorry! Only kidding

[kittycats_delight]

There is a reason you didn't pick them up until Thursday after having the surgery done on a Tuesday. It was so you wouldn't hear their screams from the pain. They may claim it to be less painful but I can guarentee you they feel more pain from that declawing than you will ever experience in your life. I am glad it was you and not me to make the decision to do it cause honestly if it was my husband insisting on it I would be in the middle of a divorce. I would not rehome my cats for him and there is no way in this lifetime or any other that my cats would be declawed.

[moosmom]

Well, I guess it's a little late to rehome them since you've already put them through the agonizing surgery. Poor kitties. You could have easily gotten Soft Paws, which are caps to put on their claws which will help protect your precious furniture.

Cut all your fingers off at the first knuckle and tell me how much pain YOU'RE in. Then DOUBLE that pain (cats have to walk on their paws) and THAT'S what your cats are feeling.

[kittyluva657]

Laser Declawing is not at all the same as normal declawing, it is much safer. I think the only reason they kept the kitty for an extra two days was to make sure every thing went OK. That is just what I think so don't get mad if I am wrong I am not a cat expert or anything. I only have 1 cat.

[catnapper]

The new laser declaw is not a perfect solution. Cats walk on their tippy toes. NOT the pads of their feet. By removing the claw, you are now realigning their whole skeletal system.

Cats claw for exercise and boredom. Declawing takes away the ability to fully stretch their muscles. Had you addressed the possiblity they were bored? If all means of training was useless, usually there's an underlying cause. Most cats aren't just doing it to be spiteful. My one who does the clawing in my house is also my "ADD" boy who needs constant stimulation and entertainment. I keep his nails short... too short to do any damage, but enough nail there to get exercise.

It doesn't matter much now since the damage is done.... I'm only giving information sicne it seemed you were asking.

I sincerely hope they have no reactions from the surgery and they live long healthy, happy lives.

[salugrad]

The cats were doing damage mostly to the wood work of our log house (that my husband built with his own two hands) by jumping on the window sills and using their claws for traction. They were also gouging the pine floor in the loft area when they would get traction. These scratch marks didn't bother me...I told my husband they added character to the house. He disagreed.