Is it not right to get a indoor cat declawed?

Question

I have a bunch of different views on this coming in..The bottom line is..i have expensive furniture.. and my beautiful cat that i love.. has recently started scratching at it.. even though i have scratching posts and even a post she can climb and sit on.. I also am renting the place i love at and she goes to the seam by the tile and trys to pull up the carpet.. i dont get it.. any suggestions... i dont want her to be hurt.. but she is still young.

Answer 1

I was thinking about getting my cat declawed...but than the breeder i got her from said that in the aggrement she could take her back so i didnt. BUT after i know what i know now i would NEVER even consider it ever again!!!! its horrible!! educate dont amputate!!

YOU SHOULD REALLY GO HERE AND READ & WATCH:::::::::

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/

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my mothers cat (who was declawed) was helplessly trying to climb a tree to get away from a dog attacking her and ended up getting killed. He was an indoor cat too, but he ran out.Since than she has never had another cat declawed.

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Answer 2

don't get your kitty declawed. it's like cutting off the top knucle of your finger off. it's very painful for them. i would suggest going to petsmart or petco and getting these strips:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

and i know some places (i'm sure you can google it) have these rubber nail covers for kitties too.

Answer 3

If you’re thinking about having your cat declawed, there are many things you should know before you make your decision.  The surgery is basically an American trend, and is considered inhumane and is illegal in many countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Yugoslavia and Japan).  If that doesn’t impact your opinion about declawing, maybe this website will help you decide: http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/...

I believe that people who have their cats declawed are uneducated.  It is not very difficult to train your cat to use a scratching post.  The surgery is not simply a trimming of the claws, it’s an amputation of the distal phalanx, including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated.  If you were to make a comparison, it would be like having the last joint of each of our fingers chopped off.  So of course it is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery.  There are often many complications in the healing process, including infection often from litter box use, resulting in a life-long aversion to the litter box.  Other declawed cats that can no longer mark with their claws, will mark with urine instead, resulting in inappropriate elimination problems.  

Many cats who have been declawed are traumatized and become withdrawn, nervous, fearful and/or aggressive.  Cats who went through the painful surgery are more prone to resort to biting when they feel threatened.  Since cats have emotional feelings (just like we do) they can resent you if you decided to get them declawed.  All of these things can cause depression and ultimately lead to an overweight cat.

If a cat who has been declawed accidentally escapes, he/she would be in great danger.  A cat needs it's claws to defend itself, as well as to escape by climbing.  The constant state of stress, caused by a feeling of defenselessness may make some declawed cats more prone to disease.  Also they cannot stretch their back and shoulder muscles like they do naturally when they dig their claws into a scratching post.  

One popular alternative is Soft Paws.  They are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws.  They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post.  Soft Paws are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks.  They come in clear or colors--which are really fun.

Most common types of damage are scratched furniture, ripped carpets and shredded wallpaper.  You want to eliminate the problem before it occurs.  Buy or build a stable, tall scratching-post, right from the start.  Here are some tips to do it right: If your cat is scratching your furniture or rugs, here is some advice on training them to use a scratching post:

• The post should be at least two feet high, covered with sisal-rope

• Get more than one, especially when you have a multi-cat household

• Place the post close to the furniture or other areas which are most at risk

• Introduce a new scratching-post with some catnip sprinkled on its surface.  Cats love that and it’s more attractive to them

• If your cat starts scratching the "wrong" object, say "NO" and gently carry your cat to the desired post.  Demonstrate how to use it by scratching the post with your own nails.  If the cat doesn‘t catch on after trying this repeatedly for a few days, gently pick up his paws rub them along the post.

• Never force your cat.  When it starts scratching the post by itself, make sure you use verbal praise with a rewarding treat and affection.  The cat needs to know that using the scratching post results in positive things such as affection, playing and treats.

• When you have a kitten, start early with the "pawing at post" technique

• Invest in what’s called a “cat tree” which acts also as a leisure area for your cat.  Different textures and heights make it more interesting, you perhaps want to build it yourself

• Try some repellent like pepper-dust or some commercial products on your furniture to keep your cat off these areas

• Be persistent and don't give up too soon

Use cat claw trimmers and only take off a tiny bit at the end of the nail. They often come with instructions. Never use trimmers that are made for humans or dogs, because you are more likely to hurt her that way. Do it once a week. Here's a website in case you need it:  

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/artic...

Answer 4

It's okay to declaw her. Actually mother cats sometimes declaws her kittens herself. If I had fancy furniture and my cat was ruining it I would be so mad, not at the cat but at myself for not doing anything about it.

Answer 5

I can't tell you what to do with your cat.  But I would urge you to try the other anti-scratch techniques first.  

I have two cats.  One was declawed when we found her.  The second we got as a kitten, and I haven't declawed him because of what I see as my first cat's pain and difficulty from having been declawed.   I don't pretend to know what she's thinking, but I do feel that if my cat could talk, she'd say she wished it never happened to her.

Answer 6

Declawing is done by taking away all the front claws of a cat. In a way this procedure is equal to the amputation of all the finger tips of a human being. For cats this surgery is painful and, for someone who is walking on all fours, terribly unnecessary.

Though the recovery of declawed cats may only take a few weeks or so, its physical and/or psychological effects could last a cat’s lifetime.

The following are the possible results once a cat has been declawed.

Ouch, ouch and ouch

Immediately after surgery, declawed cats suffer severe pain, though it is quite impossible to gauge how much pain they are experiencing. Declawed cats could be considered as amputees. Cats usually try to go on with their cat lives even with pain unless the pain eventually becomes unbearable. Although they may look and act normal does not mean they are free from aches.

Complications after the surgery

After the surgery, declawed cats usually experience one of the following post-surgery effects: presence of abscess, feelings of lameness, claw re-growth. Based on studies performed on declawed cats, it has been found that twenty five percent of them develop various complications. The same result has been found on cats who went under tenectomy. This is also a form of surgery that is currently being offered as an alternative to declawing. It is called this because only the tendons extended on the toes are the ones amputated.

Answer 7

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you're still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following website "Cat Scratching Solutions" provides many solutions as well as and insight into the psychology of why cats scratch. You can teach your cat to use a scratching post (sisal posts are by far the best). You can trim the front claws. You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I've found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors--which are really fun. Now that's a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it. You can find Soft Paws® on the web or call 1-800-989-2542.

You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vunerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

Not yet convinced? google:::"The Truth about Declawing - Technical Facts."

Answer 8

yeah you can but you would have to buy speical kitty litter cauz it can get stuck up in her paw

Answer 9

It s fine. Don't let the bleeding heart, propaganda believers who have never seen a declaw procedure done sway you. Besides most practices have a surgical laser now so there is no bleeding and very little pain and the recovery time can be just a few days.

Answer 10

In my personal opinion I believe declawing is cruel, and can cause them to have a lot of problems in the future. Working in an animal hospital I've seen some of the horrors of declawing.

What about trimming her nails? Is that an option for you? I believe it would be best for her.

There are also sprays that are safe on furniture/fabrics that you can purchase from just about any pet store. They work very well with my cats. Makes them want to rub their bodies against the area but they've never scratched with it.

Answer 11

it's simple: get rid of the expensive furniture then. your cat is FAR more important. `otherwise you must be patient and train your cat to use her scratch-pad rather than the couch. DO NOT DECLAW your cat...that's blatant cruelty. Just because it's legal in the US doesn't make it right or just.  

Answer 12

Okay. First of all, I see that everyone else is saying that it's fine to declaw a cat, but it really isn't. It's like having someone cut of the first knuckle of each of your fingers and then telling you to just deal with it. Second of all, there are much more humane ways to keep a cat from scratching things. You can buy anti-scratch sprays at just about any pet store, and you can also cover the areas she likes to scratch with aluminum foil. Cats HATE aluminum foil! Also, do you really want to mutilate your cat just to save your couch? If you value material goods more than a life, you might want to reconsider getting a cat. It's just that the couch doesn't love you, and the couch isn't going to cuddle you when you're sad. The cat will. I hope this helped!

:::EDIT:::

Cheers to I_LOVE_MY_HUBBY!! and everybody else who were totally against declawing! I read the website that I_LOVE_MY_HUBBY!! posted, and I started crying, it was so horrible. I was NEVER going to declaw a cat anyway, but this only reinforced my opinion.

Note to Deb C: So you think that all the "bleeding heart, propaganda" believers who don't want to cause pain to animals are just sentimental fools? I've read up on the surgical laser procedure and it's even worse than the other way! You don't even DESERVE to be a vet tech with that viewpoint!

Answer 13

Declawing is a bit of a misnomer, because it's really the amputation of the end of the cat's toes.  Imagine having that done.  Sure, you'd learn to walk again, but you'd have to adjust your stance, and your balance would never be the same.  Please read this article before you make a decision.

http://www.goodcatswearblack.com/declawi...

It's illegal where I live (and at least 23 other countries) because it's classed as animal cruelty and considered an "unnecessary mutilation".  In the UK, vets refuse to perform declaw surgery because they believe it will cause the cat to suffer.  So for us Brits, it's always been the good old scratch post that we've relied upon to save furniture and carpets.

Cats have got scent glands on their paws, so once they begin to scratch somewhere, it leaves a scent that they need to top-up from time to time. This is why it's worth persevering with the training, because once they establish a regular place to scratch, they will always use it. Trail toys or pieces of string over the post so that she grabs for it with her claws. Every time she uses the post, reward her with food treats and lots of praise. Cats often have different preferences for the substance they enjoy scratching. Our male cat uses his post and a heavy tree branch, whereas our female cat is very fussy and will only scratch sheets of corrugated cardboard. Offer your kitten a few alternatives, to see if she has a preference.

The web site below has a good article on ways to prevent cats from scratching furniture, carpets etc., which you may find helpful.

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20probl...

This link has good advice too and information on how to trim their claws, which will help limit accidental damage to your furniture during playtime.

http://www.catscratching.com/

Cats are well known for their ability to hide pain, and just because some of them don't complain after being declawed, doesn't mean to say that they are not suffering in silence.

Be patient with your kitten.  She's only a baby with a lot to learn, but with love and kindness, all cats can be taught good claw manners.

Answer 14

You could get the vet to clip her claws regularly rather than having her declawed (please don't do that) Cat's also dislike the smell of citrus so you could try lemon oil rubbed into your furniture or there is some special cat repellent spray you can get. (but the natural lemon oil is probably better)

Answer 15

I think it is all up to the owner of the cat. I have a cat and chose not to declaw her, but spend hours and hours on training not to claw. My parents have 2 cats and they both have been declawed because they don't have time to do training. Even if a cat is primarily indoor, remember you should only declaw the front because there is always a chance they could sneak out.

For some info on declawing surgery and alternatives check out http://www.acvs.org/AnimalOwners/HealthC...  I heard the caps are a good option but require some work.

If your cat is still young, really it is like when you got your tonsils out, do you remember the experience?  

Answer 16

My friend has two declawed cats and their cats are fine with that. They have the front paws only though.

Answer 17

I don't find anything wrong with it as long as you don't let them outside.

Answer 18

Please remember that declawing is illegal in most countries. America is pretty much the only civilized country where declawing can still be done.

What does this tell you about declawing?