How old should a cat be when you get it declawed

Question

It's just something I was considering...I don't appreciate all the name calling. Geez. Can't a person ask a question?? I love my kitten and you all have helped in making my decision, but you don't have to be so cruel. I am not going to get her declawed.

Answer 1

There really isn't a good age to get your cat declawed.  It's a really bad option actually.

Answer 2

Talk to your vet first, many vets where I am won't declaw because of the pain involved and consider it mutilation.  Think about it and do some research.

Answer 3

Your kitty doesn't need to be de-clawed,As they are fine with them kept on,Was there any reasons that you wanted him/her done? I know this is going to sound annoying but there is NO need to have it de-clawed! And i realise you were JUST asking! Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I do not personally think a cat should be declawed.  However if you are not going to be talked out of it, then it should be done as young as posible.  It should be done at the same time as when they are neutered/spayed.  That way they are only going under anesthesia one time.  

They also tend to have an easier time healing at a younger age.

Remember to always run the Pre anesthetic blood work.

Answer 5

Don't do it.  Cutting off a cats nails would be like chopping off your fingers and toes.  I'd suggest you read the following websites if your actually considering it.  

Clip them down if you have to, don't take them out.

You can get your cats used to scratching posts. You can buy them cheap or they are real easy to make.  I get long strips of cardboard at work and glue them together, can put catnipp inside or spray with catnipp junk.  Usually it doesnt take long to teach your cat to use these, unless they are really stubborn.

Answer 6

I know declawing seems like a good idea when your cats are tearing apart your furniture and everything, but, trust me, my parents did it to their cats and have regretted it ever since. Instead, there is a product calles "Soft Paws" (http://www.softpaws.com/) that are little plastic nail caps for the claws. You glue them on every month and, though your cats can still claw, they're not sharp and cant hurt your couches or yourself. However, if you feel that you must have your cats declawed, its best to do it when they're a kitten.  

Answer 7

Declawing a cat is not simply removing the nails, in involves ten partial amputations of  each digit (like if your finger was removed at the first knuckle) and as such is a major surgery. Many rescuers say that cats personalities change after declawing, becoming more anxious and therefore having more problem behaviors.  I'd try trimming the claws or using  a product called Soft Paws which has little caps you put on the cat's claws to keep them from scratching.  If you MUST declaw your cat (and I hope you don't) make sure the vet performing the operation doesn't use the "guillotine" method.  This is the most painful and has the most risk of problems.

Answer 8

I'm sorry about all the answers you've received, your best bet is to call a vet and ask.  My cat is almost two and I've been through 3 couch sets so I understand. Here in So. California the cost ranges from $70.00 to $270.00 but I sorry I didn't ask about age cause my kitty is I'm sure old enough.

Answer 9

vet recommends 6 months, mine won't do it until then.

Answer 10

thats barbaric it sould never happen a cats claws help it grip and are also for defense its a practice that should be banned.

Answer 11

A cat should never have it's toes brutally amputated by some stuck-up human who thinks an ANIMAL shouldn't have claws!  If you don't want to deal with claws, don't get a cat!  Declawing is cruel and disgusting.  How would you like your fingers cut off?  Maybe we should de-finger you so that you can't make rude gestures at people.  That's logical, right?

Disgusting.

(And by the way Laurie, dogs only get their dewclaws removed as a safety precaution.  Dewclaws do not contain bones and nerves and are not a functional part of a dog's foot, they are removed to prevent injury in the future.  Dogs do not get "declawed".  And a vet will not perform surgery on a few-day old kitten.)

Answer 12

The vet would recommend at least 6 months of age

Answer 13

i think it should be at least 6 months old before getting declawed. i really don't like the idea of getting a cat declawed.

Answer 14

Usually it is done at the time of spaying or neutering, but if you get it from a shelter that already did that, then ASAP. The smaller the cat , the better the recovery. The heavier the cat, the more healing time. Also, if you MUST have it declawed, shop around. Be SURE it is given proper pain relief, kept in the hospital for atleast 2 days and done by an experienced vet. Proper pain relief includes pain meds before and after surgery. The cat should not be allowed to experience pain for a selfish procedure like this.

Answer 15

Babies! Probably about 4 months or so. You shouldn't really declaw an adult cat, because they've learned to do so much with their claws, it'd be like learning how to walk all over again.

I got my cat declawed as a baby, so it didn't bother her, because she hadn't really used them for anything.

So if your cat is older, don't do it.

Answer 16

If at all possible, don't have this done. But, if you must, have it done when the animal is around 6 months old at the same time that you have the animal spayed/neutered. This is what the vet told me.

Answer 17

I know most cats are never the same after getting it done so I guess the younger the better. They won't know what there missing. I think this is why you see many declawed cats in the shelters. They go crazy, start peeing on things. Its not good for the cats.

Answer 18

getting a cat declawed is a very debatable subject.. If you are one that really wants it done the younger the better and make sure you pay the extra money for pain killers for the cat.

I have done on some and not on others but if I got a new cat I would do again

Answer 19

I think it's really funny that people here keep comparing de-clawing a cat to humans getting their toe nails and fingernails pulled out. It's completely different. Humans don't have fingernails for defensive purposes, or for killing prey. Anyway... here's my suggestion..

I had my cat declawed, but only his front paws. (He still finds a way to use those back ones though! haha, but its not a huge problem). Our cat is inside most of the time, if not all of the time, so he doesn't really need his claws, and more often than not, we have young kids in our house, and he can be VERY playful, and potentially hurt a kid. My suggestion is that you decide why you want to declaw your cat, and make sure its for a good reason. Otherwise, just clip his nails so they aren't so sharp, and that way he can still be a cat, and u can still have skin and furniture. :)

ALSO.. maybe it just depends on your cat, but even though we declawed my cat (front paws) he is still as playful and crazy as ever.

Answer 20

I am against the modification of animals to suit human needs. It just isn't fair. If you aren't prepared to deal with all aspects of cat behaviour then don't own one!

Edit: Apart from neutering, I fully support that, it's a must!

Answer 21

I'd say wait until it's six months old

Get ready for the guilt trips from the vet (and other people) about how it's an inhumane amputation of the tips of the bone, and personality changes, etc.

Answer 22

having your cat declawed is cruel.  that's like having our finger cut down to the first knuckle.

if a cat doesn't have their claws, majority of the time they bite to defend themselves...their claws are for defense.

if you are having a problem with them scratching, use Soft Paws.  they glue on and they are safe.

or get a scratch pad

Answer 23

never have your cat declawed! a cat is born with them for a reason!if you dont like your cat scratching things, get a good scratching post and clip the tips of the claws regularly. i dont know why anyone would do such an awful thing to a cat. it should be banned!

Answer 24

This has already been said but i'm gonna say it again " It is a very debateable subject"

But as for me and my opinion, I think it is cruel and inhumane! Cats need claws for climbing and self defense against dogs etc. please please please don't get it declawed!

It is very painful for the cat/kitten even if you get painkillers for it because the painkillers wear off eventually and then the real pain starts.

It's like having your fingers ripped off with painkillers, it will still hurt!

If you do it ( but i am really not supporting the idea) then do it at a very young age, and discuss it wih your vet before you do it.

I hope you change your mind about it though.

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