How do I help a cat that I selfishly declawed years ago?

Question

I feel so bad. I had no idea about all the things declawing can lead to. She is my first ever cat and is seven, declawed as a kitten. Is their anything AT ALL I can do to help her with this awful pain? My other three (including fosters) will NEVER be declawed. She is indoors and spayed and the best cat in the world and I would never do anything to hurt her and I just didn't know and now I feel SOOOOOOOOOOOO bad.

I just want to ease her as she gets into the "golden" years.

Thank you!!!

Answer 1

Don't feel too guilty.  She can feel that and will suffer more from that than from being declawed.  Just keep her as an inside kitty.  And make her as comfortable as possible.  Make sure she has lots to keep her occupied.  You can make stuff for her to play with.  Cats can be easy to entertain.  My cat, Mikie Angelo, plays with anything he can find.  Dust bunnies, the sun shinning on the floor, dust in the shafts of light coming through the window, my dogs tail as he walks by.  He especially likes to play with my yarn when I'm doing my needle work.  Believe me,  cats are very versitile.

Answer 2

A seven year old cat, who was declawed as a kitten, should NOT still be in pain!  If she seems to be in pain, she needs to see her vet.  It could be something completely unrelated, or could be arthritis, and there may be meds to help with that.

Glad you've finally realized how inhumane declawing is.  I wish everyone would "see the light" on this subject.  As far as I'm concerned, furniture is replaceable, but the toes on a cat aren't, so there's no good reason to mutilate them!

Hope you find out the cause of her current pain (if there is any).  Good luck.........

Answer 3

what is the matter with you people? there is nothing wrong with declawing your cat. My cat was declawed as a kitten and she leads a normal healthy life. Not all cats will just scratch at a  scratching post, so to save me money on new furniture we had her declawed. The rumors about them becoming mean is not true.

Answer 4

First to Dutches: I feel so sad for your cats!  I'm sad that you value your furniture over living beings in your house and that you are too think headed to see otherwise.

To the OP: I'm glad that you see that declawing is wrong.  And as others said, there is nothing you can do about it now, so it's best to take care of her and move forward.

If you see that she is acting differently (and you would know best) take her to a vet.  It might be something totally unrelated to the declaw.

It sounds as if you care for her dearly and I'm very glad to see that.  A quick visit to your vets office should be all you need to see if, in fact, that she is ok or not.

Answer 5

First of all, full credit to you for understanding what a negative thing declawing truly is. You shouldn't beat yourself up over it now, it's in the past and it's time to move forward.

Fortunately your cat may actually not be in pain unless she is actually showing some symptoms.

Just be sure that she is ALWAYS indoors. If she was to get outside, she would have limited ability to defend herself.  

Answer 6

We adopted a cat whose front paws had been declawed by the previous owners. She's absolutely wonderful, loves to talk to us (but isn't pushy), and is the calmest, sweetest, and most affectionate cat ever. We got her vaccinated and she gets regular monthly heartworm prevention ointment. She goes outside and spends time outdoors and then comes back in. So, all in all, since your cat was declawed many years ago, unless there's an infection in her paws now, you have no reason to worry. Have her checked by the vet and good luck!

Answer 7

I'm very glad you realized the dangers of declawing.  Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to undo that mistake :( Are you sure she is in pain? Is she not acting the same as your other cats?

Answer 8

Why is she in pain?  I had my cats declawed and they lived a long long life.    

Answer 9

I have had 6 cats and all have been declawed.  They are and have been perfectly happy with no ill side effects.  I had a Siamese myself.  She was a naturally moody cat  to begin with so I didn't see any change in her behavior.  Siamese are much more vocal.  Much more clingy and people oriented.  My Jasmine would howl at kitty balls and other things all day.  I think it was just her.  Don't beat yourself up about it!!