Declawing: against or for?

[All Creatures Great And Small]

Well, I've just placed my order for a package of Soft Paws, so I'll let you know how it turns out. One thing I hadn't thought of, is that you can use the Soft Paws during the training period, rather than just relying on them in lieu of training. Then you may not have to continue buying them for the life of the cat. I am a little concerned about what happens when/if this company goes out of business, so it would be a good idea for me to try and train the little Saminator. Like I said before though, he's way more of a biter than a scratcher, but he's starting to snag my drapes and door/window screens now, so even just blunting his claws would be a good thing. I tried to hold him still for a nail clipping a while ago, and he would have NO PART of it - however, if I wait until he falls asleep on his beloved daddy, I bet I could do some nail maintenance.

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I'm totally against it.

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by All Creatures Great And Small
I tried to hold him still for a nail clipping a while ago, and he would have NO PART of it - however, if I wait until he falls asleep on his beloved daddy, I bet I could do some nail maintenance.

I forgot to tell you that part!! That's how we cut Noah's claws too...he normally wouldn't allow it. You can also cut his claws in a few tries...usually that works too.

[*ABYCAT* Alice]

...but you are welcome to visit my site http://www.abycat.com

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm also against declawing but had to learn the hard way. I adopted my RB Pepper when he was 9 weeks old and he was a little terror. When he was about 15 weeks old my Mom suggested that I get him declawed because he was scratching up everything and seemed out of control.

I was also very naive about the declawing procedure. I had only heard that you should do it on young cats because if they were older then it could effect their walking. I unfortunately decided to have him declawed on his front paws. He had to stay overnight at the vets and then the vet called me to tell me that Pepper didn't want to walk on his right paw. He had to wear a splint for a few days. He must have been in so much pain and now when I think about it I feel terrible.

He never had any behavioral problems but his personality changed. He became much shyer and more frightened towards people and he also became more terrified of going to the vets. I'll never ever get another cat declawed. I'm glad that I learned my lesson even though it was the hard way.

Here's a picture of my RB Pepper with his splint on his paw.

[BananaCo]

Originally posted by Uabassoon
I'm against declawing cats. Esepcially now that their are alternatives such as soft claws. In my opinion if you don't want an animal that scratches don't get a cat. That's what they do. I feel the same about people that debark their dogs. If you don't want a pet that barks then don't get a dog. If you really want a cat that is declawed then just wait until one shows up at the shelter, that's what my sister did. Her roommate wouldn't let her get a cat unless it was declawed and my sister refused to get a cat and put it through that procedure. So she went to the shelter and put in a request form, everytime a declawed cat came in they were call her and she kept looking at cats until she fell in love with one declawed cat.

i totally agree. I am so against declawing it's not funny. Some people just aren't educated with the alternatives to declawing and they just think declawing will solve all problems.

[Van10]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy

I would NEVER, EVER, EVER, (um....a million times EVER) declaw a cat. I'd rather be declawed myself than inflict that sort of abuse onto a defenseless animal.

I feel the same way.
Declawing is a cruel procedure that should be illegal everywhere. Like it has been said, there are many ways to discourage/prevent scratching. In my opinion, if someone cannot tolerate a cat's scratching behavior, they shouldn't own one!

That's my 2 cents.

Van - Tuxie's meowmy

[deed766]

I'm pretty new here and i know alot of you are against declawing, but i would like to get some feedback on what to do regarding my living situation. Here goes:


I have a wonderful cat, her and i have been happy together from 2-3 years. My rent in my apartment was getting way out of my price range and i decided to move. Problem- I have just moved into a band new apartment that has very strict regulations for cat and dog owners. In order for me to keep my cat and to keep my apartment, i will have to do something to control the cat scratching. She has already scratched the side of walls, the carpet (furnished by the apartment), and my new furniture. I had tried all kind of things to prevent this. I have learned now that its either to put her in a shelter or go for the surgery. What should i do? I really rather her not go through any bodily harm, but do i really have a choice?

[davidpizzica]

Have you thought of having
a scratching post in your apartment? Cats can be easily be trained to use it and sometimes teach themselves to use it!
Also ask your vet about Soft Claws. Both ideas will save your furniture and your peace of mind. (on my soapbox) Declawing a cat is TOTALLY unnessessary and is harmful to the cat. Don't even THINK of declawing!!

[deed766]

I have already tried the scratching post with and without cat nip and it doesn't work. What is soft paws?

[leslie]

Go to your vet and request Soft Claws! they slip over the claws and do not hurt kitty or furniture etc (I have same problem with doorways!) Let us know what happens! (or Soft Paws what ever they are called.. I have opted for double sided sticky tape where my scamp likes to stretch and claw on the door frames!)

[catfancier]

Hi all,

My 2c worth - here in New Zealand, declawing is heard of but very uncommon in practice - no vets that I am aware of recommend declawing cats, as it is cruel and unnatural.
I am training as a vet nurse, I have grown up with cats and have two gorgeous cats of my own, and through my training I have been able to clip my cats claws when they get too sharp. This is an easy, painless, and quick method to stop the scratches and occasional play fight wounds they give to each other and to me!
I have a cat who was a stray and adopted my partner and I, she hates having her claws clipped, so I have to basically sit on top of her to clip her claws. She protests, but it is over with quickly, and when I am finished, she runs outside and finds a tree to scratch against.
Both my cats use the back of a carpet-covered chair as a scratching post, and this suits them well. The only other place they scratch is an old sofa, but if they get into something they aren't allowed, the punishment comes in the form of a spray bottle of water. They have both learnt very well and very quickly!
Last point: Drapes/Curtains/Carpet/Couches can be easily replaced but can your cat?

(Photo is of Sophie, cat I have had since I was 3! She is due to turn 20 in December )

[davidpizzica]

Hi, Catfancier, welcome! My name is david p and I live in Pittsburgh, Pa. I'm owned by two cats, Nikki, a 4 year old tuxedo, and Daisy, a 16 month old tortoiseshell. I very much agree with you about declawing. It is done in the United States, but the practice should be banned! My two kitties are not declawed and a couple pieces of furniture have battle scars! I have themn trained to a point where I say "Nikki!" and she will stop woking on the furniture. Catfancier, I hope that you stay and post alot and there are alot of people here that share your viewpoint.

[catlady1945]

Declawed cats do not necessarily have behaviour or physical problems.

[sasha the cat]

I hope one day that in Canada, the USA and everywhere a law is enacted whereby Onychectomy [declawing] felines and ferrets becomes a criminal act.

Claws are the first line of defense for felines and ferrets. My son has a sweet cat named Scruffy. She was an abandoned young cat, about a year old who one day was sitting on my balcony. A friendly little girl she jumped onto my lap. She was pregnant. Imagine my horror to find she was declawed, all four paws!

My son, Mark was living w/his father, going to college. I had convinced his dad to foster the cat until her kittens could be placed. My son insisted this be done. I knew my son would never let the mother leave once he had her. Scruffy had two kittens, one still-born. At the time my son was 17 1/2. He kept Scruffy and her surviving baby, Mr Baby. His dad wanted him to find a home for Mr Baby and Mark was so shocked. He said Mr Baby was born on his bed and he would not leave. He asked his dad: "could you have given me away?"

Mr Baby was born with a heart defect but he did live 7 wonderful, happy years with Sruffy and Mark.

To think Scruffy was abandoned after being declawed all four paws thus eliminating her ability to protect and defend herself bothers me to this day.

Instituting a law where declawing becomes a criminal act can't happen fast enough for me, Scruffy and her human, my son Mark.

Catfancier sums it up purrfectly:

Last point: Drapes/Curtains/Carpet/Couches can be easily replaced but can your cat?

I heard that in England Onychectomy is illegal but don't know if this is true. Hopefully that is the case.