I need good alternatives for declawing my cat. Help?

Question

I know its amputation and all that. Please no moral speeches about animal cruelty. I'm educated and have done my research. I don't care about the rugs or the couch, but I can't afford to lose anymore blood! I'm scarred up like crazy. I went to work with a scratch on my face! He just doesn't realize he's taking out his claws when he plays. He's a 4 years old stray we got from the local shelter, so I don't think he's ever been trained to stop it. We're trying but to no avail. Help!

Answer 1

Well I would recommend the soft paws. They truly works mircles! I bought some for my little kitten and well after that it didn't hurt anymore. Also they cost about $25 at Petsmart but I'm pretty sure you could find them cheaper somewhere else. Here is a link that will tell you everything about them and I think you should really try using them =]

http://www.softpaws.com/

If that doesn't work then all that is left is try clipping the cat's nails so it would be shorter, I did that for my little kitten too after the soft paws(because I didn't have time to go and buy another pack yet)

I'm about 110% against declawing so using soft paws is your best treatment for you and for him =]

Hope this could help!

Answer 2

I clip my cat's nails. It works really well too. They make special nail clippers or for cats but you can use human nail clippers too (I use different ones myself obviously). When my cat is sleeping or really relaxed after I've petted him for a while, I just clip off the tips of the nails, being carefull not to go near the quick (the dark part of the nail that has the blood and nerves). Your cat will have to get used to this, like anything else, it just needs a little time a patience. Some cats just don't like their paws touched, if so try petting his paws. Don't worry if you can't get all the nails in one sitting. Also try giving him treats afterward to encourage him.

My cat LOVES his scratching posts too... I have one in nearly every room (discretely put into the corners). You should definately invest in a good scratching post too. My cat only likes the upright ones with the rope. See what your cat likes. It'll take the focus out of scratching you!

Answer 3

Trim her nails regularly or use soft paws. If you can't fit them, take her to the vet and see if he cat put them on.

Answer 4

Poor little kitty, get a good cat tower and scratching post. hold him by the scruff of the neck and pet him. He'll get the idea eventually. he's just happy as anything to have a good home, good luck and good for you for adopting a nice kitty.

Answer 5

Clip his nails down or file them down. (What I've done)

https://www.officialtvwebsite.com/pedipa...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2257229_trim-cat...

You can also try to train him. I imagine that it will take longer since he is an older cat. Try a water bottle when he attempts to scratch you. My kitten is learning slowly but learning. You must also remember never to play with him with your hands otherwise he just thinks of them as toys.

Another alternative is to try nail caps for your kitty. I've been reading the reviews from pet owners and some swear by them.

Answer 6

Sounds like this is a case for Clipping and filing claws or for those claw covers (soft paws).  Normally, I have a list of about 10 things to help with clawing, but it's to prevent a bevioral problem, not to teach a cat to retract his claws during playing.  That's just instinct, so a different approach is necessary.  My Bengal cat lets me file his claws from time to time because he thinks it's interesting.  But he knows to retract his claws.  My Louie the LARGE, is too dumb to figure that out, so trimming his claws is what has helped.  I haven't done this for a while, but he's the type that will get all pissed off if I pet him too long and swat at me.  That's a behavioral problem.  

The vet can help you with soft claws and with trimming his claws.  Good luck!  Hugs to kitty!

Answer 7

Declawing and Alternatives

By Heidi Bickel

©2005, www.straypetadvocacy.org

Should I Declaw My Cat?

You should discuss with your veterinarian why you want to declaw your cat, what other methods you have tried to alleviate the problem behavior, or if there is a medical necessity to declaw, and the actual procedure of declawing.  Once you have the facts about the procedure and the alternatives to it, you can decide if this is what you want for your cat and you.

Scratching is not a behavior problem.  It is a natural function of a cat, and it is important to the health of their toes and nails. Physiologically, cats walk on their toes.  Because of the structure of the toe and claw, declawing requires the removal of the last joint of the cat’s toe. Cats use their claws for balance, jumping, climbing, self-defense, and grooming, and declawing forces your cat to walk unnaturally.  There is some evidence that some declawed cats develop arthritis as a result of the unnatural posture forced upon them as a result of the declaw surgery.  As cat owners/guardians, there are many steps we can take to help our cats scratch “appropriately” before considering declawing our pet.

What Is Declawing?

A cat’s claw is part of the last bone in the cat’s foot, called the Distal or Third Phalanx.   The claw is embedded within this bone. Because of this anatomy, in order to avoid claw regrowth or abcessation (infection), the Distal Phalanx and claw are removed at the joint. This is the amputation of the third joint and claw of each toe.  This procedure is completed with the use of a scalpel, a guillotine knife, or a laser.



Is Laser Surgery Better Than A Traditional Declaw?

There are definite advantages to laser surgery.  Use of a laser causes less bleeding and swelling, reducing pain and complications immediately following the surgery. The rate of long term complications is the same.   It is essentially the same procedure, just with different equipment.

What About a Tendonectomy?

A tendonectomy or tenectomy is severing the (deep digital flexor) tendon between the second and third phalanx, or joints.  While the cat keeps his claws, he is no longer able to extend them. This procedure requires regular owner upkeep of the cat’s claws, particularly trimming, because the cat cannot scratch to remove nail husks while the claws continue to grow.  Without regular and proper maintenance claw maintenance by the owner, this procedure could result in serious problems in the health of your cat’s toes and paws.

Is There Any Risk To Declawing?

There are risks any time a surgical procedure is performed.  Please discuss this issue with your veterinarian.  

Any time a cat is put under anesthesia there is a risk of disability or death. Statistics on the rate of complications vary from as high as 29% (post-surgery discomfort/pain as reported by owners, Landsberg, 1991) to as low as 1.4% (as recorded computerized abstracts & medical records from a teaching hospital, Pollari et al., 1996).  Potential physical complications include: hemorrhaging immediately following surgery or upon removal of bandages; regrowth of nail (would require additional surgery to correct); sequestrum or shattered nail or bone which causes infection/abscess; lameness or non-weight bearing; infection of incision site, joint stiffness or arthritis; and pain.  Pain management is necessary following any major surgery. In addition, there is evidence that some declawed cats develop behavioral issues, such as jumping on tables more often than intact cats, litterbox avoidance, and biting.

Are There Alternatives to Declawing?

Yes there are.

Cats can be trained to scratch on appropriate scratching posts or pads, and not on the family couch. There are many different types and styles of scratching equipment available. Some are vertical, some are horizontal. There are many different types of scratching material available: cardboard, carpeted posts, sisal posts and pads, rubber pads, bark posts – the list is long and varied.  Placement/location of the scratching equipment is often very important. Using the proper material, whether vertical or horizontal, placement in the right location is often the key to discouraging destructive scratching and developing appropriate scratching behavior.  

Most cats learn to accept getting their claws trimmed. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to do this properly.   Trimmed claws cause much less damage to furniture, carpet, and humans than sharp claws, IF the cat does scratch inappropriately.

There are plastic nail caps for the claws so while training the cat to use appropriate scratching areas, and not to scratch people, there will be no damage done.  For persistent scratchers, the nail caps can be a long-term solution as well. Ask your veterinarian about SoftPaws.

Official Position Statements on Declawing and Cosmetic Surgery

American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Please be advised that th

Answer 8

I would recommend soft paws nail caps  

Answer 9

I use the soft paw nail caps on my cat and they don't bother him at all, at first application he tried getting them off but gave up after a few minutes and he does fine with them, I've been using them for about 4 months and it has completely saved a lot of my things from getting ruined, i love them!