Back paws declawed?

**rg_girlca** · 11-13-2006, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by jenluckenbach

Of course you are making the right decision. There is no reason to have her further declawed. As a matter of fact, cats with no back claws have a hard time getting a "grip" on the floors they walk on. They can't effectively scratch an itch either.

Keeping them clipped should be all you need to keep them "healthy." Never doubt the decision NOT to declaw.

I agree 100% on what Jen said.

**Sonia59** · 11-14-2006, 12:32 PM

Declawing should even not be a question. Never declaw a cat!

**cassiesmom** · 11-14-2006, 01:21 PM

THANK YOU ALL! Cassie's front paws had been declawed when I adopted her. Our shelter discourages all declawing of a cat's front or back paws. Cassie had taken up residence under the front porch of a family that lived near the shelter. After she had her kittens they had her spayed and had her front paws declawed, thinking that would make her more adoptable. The shelter is no-cage, so they hoped to have her adopted quickly since she did not have front claws and most of the other cats in the shelter have not been declawed at all. We played again last night and I did find a "shell" of a claw in the rug. When I comb her coat she will sometimes let me clip one or two - and if not, we just play more so she can get rid of the long ones on her own. If we ever move from apartment to a town house, I would like her to be able to go outdoors for short periods when the weather is fine with me supervising, wearing a collar and leash. She would not go out except under those circumstances. She will always be an "inside" cat. I'll talk to my neighbor again and tell her I have no reason to have Cassie's back paws declawed.

**areias** · 11-14-2006, 02:35 PM

I used to get into arguments all the time with the vet I used to work at over declawing. Although he believed that you should never declaw all 4, he always wanted us to push front declaws. I honestly think it was just to make more money. It is a horrid surgery, and the cats feel just awful for the first few days. The first night/next morning they are just pitiful, if anyone were to see what the cats go through they would probably change their minds. Cats have claws for a reason.

All the clients I spoke with about declawing, I always recommended to only get it done if it is the only way to actually keep the cat.

**lvpets2002** · 11-14-2006, 03:00 PM

I am sad this baby had someone already declaw the front claws.. I wish the Vets' would Band/Discontinue all declawing to cats = its so not right & the cat can never defend themselfs.. Now we know why you got this baby & not your neighbor.. So glad you ask for our advise & not listen to that neighbor.. Please Do Not declaw the backs.. It will not take that long to trim. them..

**cassiesmom** · 11-15-2006, 03:15 PM

So here's the latest. I spoke with my neighbor, who understands (but still disagrees with) my decision. There is no reason for me to have Cassie's back paws declawed - she is not inappropriately scratching and she tolerates the occasional kitty pedicure. Thank you all again!

**cassiesmom** · 10-17-2011, 01:31 PM

I want to briefly revisit this old thread because I cat-sat Milo over the weekend. He has not been declawed at all and that is not going to happen. One question, though. He still has his dew claws and boy, are they sharp! He LOOOOOOVES to be combed, so I took Cassie's nail clipper over there thinking that I could just try to take the pointy ends off after I combed him. He was so NOT okay with that! I went back to pets and combing, and he purred so I know I was forgiven

So here is the question: What is the function of a dew claw? Is it wrong to have only those removed? Milo does go out on the screen porch. He has his own piece of old sisal out there and a scratching post inside, and he uses both. The shelter from which he was adopted has a statement in their contract that adopters agree not to have the cat's claws removed. Does that include dew claws? He is not going to have his other claws removed.