Does is hurt cats when you declaw them?

Question

She has been scratching the doors alot latley and my parents are considering declawing my cat. I'm worried it will hurt her..

Please dont be mean. Were not really considering this, just a thought..

Answer 1

yes!

it is like cutting off the first joint in your finger!

try some soft paws. they are cheap and you can apply them yourself.

they just slip on the nail, they come in clear or other colors.

Answer 2

Declawing is essentially the amputation of the last segments of the toes. There is no medical reason for which cats should be declawed. It is commonly performed because people worry that their furniture or children will get scratched, or because a landlord will only rent to owners of declawed cats.

Cats have an intrinsic physiological need to sharpen their claws. Even declawed cats will go through the motions; the scratching action exercises and strengthens forearm, shoulder, and back muscles. The marks left by scratching objects leave a message for other cats. This is why scratching posts may not be effective if they are not kept in a prominent position in the house; the signs are meant to be seen by other cats, even if there are no other cats in the house.

The surgical procedure itself is not innocuous. Although cats seem to recover quickly, it doesn't take much imagination to realize what a PAINFUL surgery this must be. Cats often suffer phantom pain and lameness after declawing.

There are practical alternatives to declawing surgery. These include the use of scratching posts, as well as products called Soft Paws, which are plastic nail caps that prevent the damage caused by sharp claws. Cats' claws can also be trimmed on a regular basis to keep them short and blunt.

As far as protecting children from getting scratched, sometimes the cats need to be protected from the child. Children should be taught safe, respectful behavior around cats. Some cats may only allow limited petting before they become irritated. Some are easily over stimulated and will bite if petted for too long. If the cat wants to get away, it should be allowed to get to a place where the children can't reach it; remember, a cornered cat may strike out. In my experience, many cats that are declawed because of antisocial behavior become biters. You may have to choose your poison, so to speak.

Declawed cats should not be allowed outside except under supervision. They are at a serious disadvantage, as a carefully aimed claw strike is often enough to deter even the most determined dog, whereas a hiss just won't do. Declawing is an inappropriate procedure for cats over 1 year old and heavy cats. It changes the way the cat bears weight on its feet, can strain tendons, and may promote the development of arthritis.

West Hollywood, Calif. has set a precedent for other municipalities by being the first city in North America to ban the declawing of cats. The My suggestion is to think about what declawing actually means before simple acceptance of the procedure as routine.  

Answer 3

Of course it does, the nail is an extension of the toe. Declawing a cat is just like hacking off the first segment of your fingers. It's very cruel.  

Answer 4

Yes tremendously.  How would you like it if someone pulled your fingernails out at the knuckles?  This messes up their muscles in their feet for a while, while they still have to use a litter box and walk on their feet.

Answer 5

Declaw surgeries are the ones that the pharmaceutical companies use to test their new pain killer drugs for animals - that's how painful they are.  Imagine having the first joints of your toes surgically amptutated - then being told you had to walk on your feet!  Some side effects of declawing that the vet (assuming you'll find a vet who'll do it) won't tell you about include:  litter box aversion (they cat's feet hurt so bad when they scratch in the box that they don't want to use it ever again), biting (it makes them defensive when their claws are removed), behavior changes (as in aggression, hiding, and so on), and sometimes arthritis at an early age because they can no longer stretch properly.  

It's not simply removing the claws, it's better called de-toeing.  The shelters and rescues see the bad side effects all the time.  The HSUS and ASPCA are both opposed to it.  Most countries in Europe consider it animal abuse and mutilation, and it is illegal.  

The links to a declaw surgery have been posted - I won't post it again.  Take a good hard look at the pictures.   And laser surgery?  It's still the same brutal surgery, just using a laser to burn off the bone and tendon instead of a knife.  

So those are the facts.   Decide for yourself if it hurts cats when you de-toe them.

Answer 6

tbh It depends

are your parents planning to get a vet to do it?

then if so There will only be a bit of discomfort after-wards because the cat will be under anesthetic. . when it is done and most likely given some kind of pain relief for afterwards and probably a course of antibiotics

If your parents do it then it will absolutely hurt the cat leaving it in excruciating  pain to walk around for quite a while . . .and will probably caise alot of damage if not done  by a professional vet in terms of bleeding and nerve damage :(

also here is something you can do. . .

*get him/her a scratching post. .  these are cheap and bfile down the cats nails no end. and he then WON'T scratch anything else. .

for the best interest of your cat . .  i wouldn't have the claws removed . . claws to cats are just like nails to humans and claws are a cats  way of defense mechanism against other cats (in a fight) etc They are there for a reasin and shoulsn't be removed unless absolutely nesscesary and even then MUST be done by a vet

Answer 7

Yes it hurts them.  The vet puts them under anesthesia then gives you pain killers for them to take.  I think it is really cruel.  I have also heard that their personalities change after it is done.  Take the cat to the groomers and have them file its nails.  

Answer 8

Would it hurt you to have your nails pulled out?  If something would hurt you, there is a good chance it would hurt an animal.

I'm not trying to be mean here, just get you to think about how you would feel if it happened to you.

Answer 9

She can be trained not to scratch, and you can provide an alternate surface such as cardboard scratchers or other scratching surfaces.  There are also ways of protecting the scratching areas.

Declawing has been known to greatly change a cat's personality, but not always.  It can be very painful for the cat, as it is an amputation, not a simple snip.

If declawing is really going to be the route, look for a vet that uses the newer laser method.  While I do not approve of declawing, the laser method is the least traumatic of the procedures.

In some places, declawing is illegal, and if you adopted your cat, the papers you signed may not allow you to do it.

Answer 10

Of course. My cousin's boyfriend had his cats declawed and I say it's pretty cruel to the 'fellas. One of his cats' claws always grow back strangely and he has a big hole where he 'picked at' his paw a lot. A little hunk of meat! I say you buy a scratching post for her to stratch on. Cats love to scratch! And if that doesn't work, there's an electronic nail trimmer that is supposed to be better than regular clippers. It kind of files the nail to make a circular tip on the end of the nail. I'm not sure what it's called, though. But, if I find it I will let you know!

Answer 11

Yes it oes. it's unnatural

Show this to your folks

Don't look

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics....

There is something calle softpaws that will help  Google it

Answer 12

Please do not declaw you cat. It really does hurt. I believe it is also outlawed in California. As it should be anywhere.

About 20 yrs ago before i knew better I had my cat declawed. He withstood the pain but one day he got out and got lost, never did find him. Just thinking about how he was unable to defended himself makes me sick.

so please do not declaw.