My cat is getting fixed. Declaw Too?

[CrookedRock]

So I am hoping some of you cat lovers out there can help me out...

Some of you may remember that back in November we got an adorable Savannah kitten. Well, the time is come that he needs to be neutered, and that''s all fine... BUT my bf and my Mom think I should have him declawed (just front) bc it is best to do it all at once. Let me just say that morally I don''t have an issue with this like some people do, actually all the cats I have ever had I got declawed. For some reason though, I am having a hard time with Mason. He is so gentle with his claws and will even paw my face affectionately but he has never scratched me. Only problem is that he likes woven furniture, and given that we live in Florida and have the West Indies thing going on in our house, it is kinda unavoidable.

So for those of you with cats:
Did you declaw them? Why or Why not? IF you did do you have any opinions on laser vs scalpel?

Pic of Mason for reference! Check out those ears!!!

 

[Gypsy]

No and HELL NO. This is touchy for me, so that's all I'm going to say.

Okay it's not. How would you like your first KNUCKLE removed because your MOM wouldn't get different furniture or change a tiny part of her DECORATIVE style? Don't buy woven furniture for the love of Pete. There are so many other options. You've said that the cat is gentle. For me it's an absolute last resort-- and not even that. Your cat is part wild as a Savannah, so it may have an even more adverse reaction to the procedure than regualar domestic cats too, and working at a shelter I saw PLENTY of adverse reactions and behavioural issues that resulted from de-clawing.

 

[Lorelei]

Declawing is illegal in the UK and even if it wasn't, I would not contemplate having it done to my cats. Have you looked into Softpaws claw covers? I seem to remember FireGoddess had some success with those. Please consider other alternatives to having this done.

 

[sumbride]

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!

Your cat is gentle now, but if you declaw it''s possible you''ll end up with a biter! That''s what happened to my mom''s gentle kitten who had an unfortunate habit of climbing her grasscloth wallpaper. Don''t do it! It''s quite painful for your cat!

We have new leather furniture and now all our cats are wearing softpaws. Every time I see a woven chair or piece of furniture I think "giant scratching post". You don''t need to harm your cat to save your decor.

 

[Dogmom]

NO!!!!!!! PLEASE don''t do this. It is incredibly inhumane and very painful for the kitty. Here is an excerpt from an article by HSUS about declawing.

"People choose to declaw their cats for a number of reasons: Some are frustrated with shredded drapes or furniture, some are worried about being scratched, and others simply feel that a declawed cat is easier to live with. In many cases, cats are declawed preemptively, as a part of a spay/neuter package offered by veterinarians, even before claw-related problems occur.

Too often people believe that declawing is a simple surgery that removes a cat''s nails, the equivalent of a person having her fingernails trimmed. Sadly, this is far from the truth. Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe and, if performed on a human being, it would be comparable to cutting off each finger at the last knuckle.

Declawing can leave cats with a painful healing process, long-term health issues, and numerous behavior problems. This is especially unfortunate because declawing is an owner-elected procedure and unnecessary for the vast majority of cats."

Here is a link to the entire article.

 

[monarch64]

Hmmm...would I rather have my fingernails and toenails ripped off with a laser or a scalpel? Oh, just give me the laser, that''s got to be far less painful even after the anesthesia wears off.

I suggest getting a squirt bottle and using that to deter your kitty from the woven furniture. Or use a little product known as claw caps...or hey, maybe a scratching post?

 

[Circe]

I''m completely with Gypsy (which, heh, is also the name of my non-declawed cat, so, hey, doubly so) on this one: please, please, please, do not declaw your cat. I know it''s legal in the states, I know it''s something a lot of people have seen with previous pets from periods from when the procedure was new and cool, but it''s inhumane and it''s dangerous to the cat. There''s the pointless mutilation aspect, and there''s the risk of his getting out of the house and encountering a predator and being completely helpless aspect, both of which outweigh training issues, I think.

Regarding the furniture, try a combination of SoftPaws, a scratching post, lemon essence on anything else he might claw, and a squirt bottle as a last resort.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/25/2008 1:18:33 PM
Author: monarch64
Hmmm...would I rather have my fingernails and toenails ripped off with a laser or a scalpel? Oh, just give me the laser, that''s got to be far less painful even after the anesthesia wears off.

I suggest getting a squirt bottle and using that to deter your kitty from the woven furniture. Or use a little product known as claw caps...or hey, maybe a scratching post?

Actually. Its "would I rather have my KNUCKLES REMOVED with a laser or scalpel" The answer is "Neither." There are MANY reasons, actual HEALTH reasons that cats have claws related to their stretching etc. Please don''t do this.

 

[CaptAubrey]

We've never gotten any of our cats declawed. If you have problems with scratching, trim their nails. If you start as a kitten, they get used to it fast and don't mind. There are other, less drastic methods of stopping them from scratching specific spots. Somebody mentioned double-sided tape--it works. Cats hate it. But get them started on a scratching post early, and you'll have fewer problems.

 

[VRBeauty]

NO.

My mother had her last cat declawed AGAINST MY ADVICE (

) because her vet recommended it. She regretted it (and I''m sure her cat did too)

My cats seem to get great pleasure out of kneading their beds or other comfort spots, and I can''t see taking that away from them. My Squeaky is like your Mason -- he loves to ''reach out and touch someone" with his front paw. He''s 17 years old now and has never outgrown that.... how could I possibly mutilate his paws when that is so important to him?

Cardboard scratch pads are one of the greatest inventions ever, IMHO. My cats love them! The scratch pads, and scratching posts with a variety of surfaces take most of the scratching.

 

[CrookedRock]

Oh Wow! Thanks for the quick replies... I am shocked to get such a resounding NO, but it's good to hear.

Sumbride, unfortunately he is already kinda a biter. He has this thing where he likes to suck on your fingers, and in order to get to your fingers he snaps at my hand. He has only ever broken the skin twice but that was bc he was taking off with some sort of meat from the kitchen counter and I was fighting him for it. LOL

As for the spray bottle, well I have 3 industrial ones in my house that spray a good 15 feet. They don't really seem to phase him. He will walk away from the furniture or get off the table but only momentairly, he usually goes back a few minutes later. I suppose with time it will get better and hopefully he can be trained to not scratch at the furniture. I mean I did figure out how to toliet train him, you would think I could figure out the scratching thing.

I have seen the soft paws before. They do interest me. They aren't necessairly cheap in the pet stores, but someone told me if you buy them in bulk online the are cheaper. Where do you get them form? And do you apply them your self?

 

[Lorelei]

Here is a link for Softpaws for you. http://www.softpaws.com/

If you check out this thread, you will see FireGoddess's Holly wearing her Softpaws!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/feral-and-stray-cats.61246/page-5

Also someone brought up a very good point with the cardboard scratching posts. I have 5 indoor cats and have 2 of these, they love them, so that is something else you can do. It has stopped them from scratching the furniture mostly, although if you choose to have cats, you must expect that they may scratch at things at times, that you would rather they didn't.

 

[Gypsy]

Crooked Rock, as I said, this is an emotional topic for me. So forgive me for doing what I have never done before, and questioning your financial priorities. You stated in another thread that your Leon setting was one of the most expensive settings you've heard of being qouted. And yet the cost of soft paws to avoid mutilating a creature that is helpless in your care is gving you pause. I can't even begin to comprehend that. First of all, de-clawing isn't cheap. Second of all, Mason is a live being in your care. His feelings and emotions are beyond price in my opinion. You made a commitment to his health when you got him, and whether or not there were vows spoken... you made one to him as his parent. Don't harm him to save some furniture or to save a few dollars on some softpaws.

 

[D2B]

A resounding No here.

I grew up with cats and have never had a problem. we have allways ensured they had a scratching post in the livingroom and as soon as they were kittens trained them not to scratch anywhere else but the scratching post. My mum would simply put the kitten to the post and imitate scratching with its paws a few times and tell it off, (water squirt, with loud no) when they tried to scatch the sofa etc and then later place them infront of the scratching post, show them how to use it and have rewards handy when they did.

Never ever had a problem.

Good training and providing a sratching post will be successful.

PB

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/25/2008 1:38:06 PM
Author: Gypsy
Crooked Rock, as I said, this is an emotional topic for me. So forgive me for doing what I have never done before, and questioning your financial priorities. You stated in another thread that your Leon setting was one of the most expensive settings you''ve heard of being qouted. And yet the cost of soft paws to avoid mutilating a creature that is helpless in your care is gving you pause. I can''t even begin to comprehend that. First of all, de-clawing isn''t cheap. Second of all, Mason is a live being in your care. His feelings and emotions are beyond price in my opinion. You made a commitment to his health when you got him, and whether or not there were vows spoken... you made one to him as his parent. Don''t harm him to save some furniture or to save a few dollars on some softpaws.

I do understand that this is a touchy subject for some. I also know that not everyone is against this. I personally don''t know where exactly I stand. I chose to get Mason, and in doing so I obviously agreed and took on the responsibility of taking care of him for the rest of his life.
To clarify the Leon comment, I am sure it is not the most expensive setting he has done nor the most expensive here, but of the Pser''s who have chosen to share the price of their setting it is, and that info was shared in order to help someone with their questions, not for me to be judged by. Not to mention that that is a gift from my BF to sybolize his commitement to me, so I am not so sure the comparison is even relative. The cat is mine, he''s anything but a cat fan so Mason is my responsibilty.
My concern isn''t necessairly the cost but more of the maintenance and upkeep it will take to use these soft paws. I am trying to figure out where I stand on the issue, bc in the past I didn''t really put much thought into it and went right ahead and had my Bengal declawed. There were no adverse reactions at all, and I had no regrets with him bc he was not at all gentle.My sis had her cats declawed and she says all the time that she regrets it and she thinks they have never been the same. I just really want to make the best decision for everyone involved. Many people have told me that it should be done if we plan on having children. I just can''t really see Mason hurting anyone with his claws...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

My thought is if you cannot handle your furniture being clawed up, you shouldn''t own a cat!

CrookedRock, your cat is GORGEOUS! Try the double sided tape and see if that helps. We use it on our favorite chenile print couch and it seems to work but all the corners have tape all over them and the cats have found other parts to claw up. We had four cats, but just adopted two out (since we''re moving - we won''t have enough room) and the remaining two cats are easier to keep up with so less tape!

My mom was huge on declawing. . . but the thought makes me cringe. I''ve never declawed any of the cats I''ve own and found THE BEST solution is microsuede fabric for the family room couch, ottomans, & chairs since the cats can''t claw on that.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/25/2008 1:52:09 PM
Author: CrookedRock
I just really want to make the best decision for everyone involved. Many people have told me that it should be done if we plan on having children. I just can''t really see Mason hurting anyone with his claws...

I hope I am not being presumptuous here, but I think you already know what is the best thing to do - not to have it done. I have seen both sides of this, my Husband is from the States and has had declawed cats growing up, he agrees that even if it was legal here, he wouldn''t have it done to our cats. There are alternatives such as the Softpaws, the prices on the website seem very reasonable, also try the cardboard posts. They really have made a difference to my 5 indoor cats AND we have brand new furniture that they leave alone now.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/25/2008 1:59:22 PM
Author: Lorelei

Date: 3/25/2008 1:52:09 PM
Author: CrookedRock
I just really want to make the best decision for everyone involved. Many people have told me that it should be done if we plan on having children. I just can''t really see Mason hurting anyone with his claws...

I hope I am not being presumptuous here, but I think you already know what is the best thing to do - not to have it done. I have seen both sides of this, my Husband is from the States and has had declawed cats growing up, he agrees that even if it was legal here, he wouldn''t have it done to our cats. There are alternatives such as the Softpaws, the prices on the website seem very reasonable, also try the cardboard posts. They really have made a difference to my 5 indoor cats AND we have brand new furniture that they leave alone now.

I appreciate that you are trying to do the right thing. I really do. I can''t address the children issue as my cats are my children. And I can''t imagine that short of my human child tormenting the cat, any of my cats would harm a human child. They are all very gentle.

I ditto the cartboard scratching posts. They are a god send.

 

[CrookedRock]

Date: 3/25/2008 1:54:48 PM
Author: MC
My thought is if you cannot handle your furniture being clawed up, you shouldn''t own a cat!

CrookedRock, your cat is GORGEOUS! Try the double sided tape and see if that helps. We use it on our favorite chenile print couch and it seems to work but all the corners have tape all over them and the cats have found other parts to claw up. We had four cats, but just adopted two out (since we''re moving - we won''t have enough room) and the remaining two cats are easier to keep up with so less tape!

My mom was huge on declawing. . . but the thought makes me cringe. I''ve never declawed any of the cats I''ve own and found THE BEST solution is microsuede fabric for the family room couch, ottomans, & chairs since the cats can''t claw on that.

Thanks MC! He really is stunning in person.
It''s not that we can''t take the furniture being clawed, bc well it is sort of already ruined. ANd It is only one chaise lounge/day bed piece, and our dining room chairs. It''s really annoying though, and I think he likes to do it to erk the bf, and it works! The other concern is the children thing...
Unfortunately he loves tape, and I found that out bc I had to tape the toliet seat up bc after every time he went he would put it down. Silly boy can''t open it up again though! LOL He would rip the tape right off and play with it, he thinks it''s fun... Hopefully he will just out grow this. I am going to order the soft paws for now and see how it works...

 

[CrookedRock]

Well, now that I have officially made myself the most unpopular PSer...

I do appreciate all of your opinions! Hopefully if I fw this thread to the bf and my Mom I can convince them to not make me do it. I''m off to give the soft paws a try!

 

[misysu2]

NO!! It''s so awfully cruel. I have a clawed cat and taught him to use his scratchboard, and I never have problems with clawed furniture. He likes the boards with the frayed rope or sisal, not the carpet.

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 3/25/2008 2:07:43 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Well, now that I have officially made myself the most unpopular PSer...

You haven''t honey, I promise. It''s just a very emotional topic for many people. So it''s bound to get heated.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I grew up with 3 cats. The oldest was declawed (this was 17 years ago before anyone knew how they did it) and the other two were not. The declawed one took years to trust us again, it was really horrible. I would never do it.

My parents use soft paws and have for years. For the most part, the cats resist but they were already fairly old, 8 and 9, when my parents started which makes a big difference. Most of the time they stay on for 2-4 weeks for them. For a while they were taking care of my cats and they put soft paws on them once. Our Maggie created such hell they wouldn''t dare try again and she had ripped them all off within 24 hours. My mello Odin gave them little trouble and his stayed on for 3 months. So it is really the temperment of the cat.

I also recommend trying cardboard scratching posts. They are ramps and you fill them with nip. My cats and all 3 of my parents cats love them. All you have to do is vacuum up the little bits

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 3/25/2008 1:38:06 PM
Author: Gypsy
Crooked Rock, as I said, this is an emotional topic for me. So forgive me for doing what I have never done before, and questioning your financial priorities. You stated in another thread that your Leon setting was one of the most expensive settings you''ve heard of being qouted. And yet the cost of soft paws to avoid mutilating a creature that is helpless in your care is gving you pause. I can''t even begin to comprehend that. First of all, de-clawing isn''t cheap. Second of all, Mason is a live being in your care. His feelings and emotions are beyond price in my opinion. You made a commitment to his health when you got him, and whether or not there were vows spoken... you made one to him as his parent. Don''t harm him to save some furniture or to save a few dollars on some softpaws.

I cannot even begin to rave about these things to you. They are wonderful. My groomer will put them on her when I buy them. They come in cute colors too so it looks like kitty always has her nails painted

 

[CrookedRock]

Legacy!!! Mason is a BOY!!! Poor thing is going to have gender issues!

ETA~ Should I go with Black bc he's a boy and they match his spots, or the clear?... Anyone use the clear before? The appear kinda blue...

 

[LegacyGirl]

Date: 3/25/2008 2:18:54 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Legacy!!! Mason is a BOY!!! Poor thing is going to have gender issues!

Do you know who Eddie Izzard is?


JUST KIDDING!!!

You do want to get a color though because the clearer ones are harder to see when they fall off. Maybe silver or black?

 

[LegacyGirl]

or white

 

[Sparkles22]

Awww please don't declaw the kitty! It really is sad

and unnecessary. I would hate to see the kitty go through that

. It messes up their balance and ability to land on their feet. You said he's a gentle kitty, so why put him through all that?

Sounds like the kitty is fairly young too, so maybe using his claws is his way of playing.

My parents got their cat declawed (front only) like 25 years ago and they didn't know they actually remove a bone/joint. Poor kitty couldn't defend himself (he was an outside cat), and was eventually killed. It's so sad. When we adopted one of our cats we actually had to sign a contract saying we would not declaw her, and of course we are very against it anyway.

We have 4 kitties all indoor cats and all 4 have their claws, we just keep on top of trimming them. We bought them a cat tree to play in and that has saved our furnature.

My male cat is unphased by the squirt bottle. I have found the air cans (used to clean computers, etc) works really well (I am super careful not to get his face), and now I just have to show him the can and tell him no (all my females fear the squirt/water bottle).

PLEASE don't declaw him

ETA: soft paws work well too.

 

[sumbride]

I bought clear because that''s all that I could find locally and I prefer the colored because when the clear fall off, you can''t tell. I ordered different colors for each of my cats to match their collars so I know when I find one who needs to have another put on. My male cats are wearing blue and lime green/yellow. My female has purple.

The maintenance is not all that difficult... they stay on for quite a while. Just trim the nail before you apply and you''ll get the longest wear out of them. They average 4-6 weeks before the nail sheds, but it varies per cat. And when they do fall off, trim those nails! They are quite long by the time the softpaw sheds off! and razor sharp!

My kitten doesn''t mind it at all so I think you''ll be able to do it easily enough. It''s worth it for everyone. Also, even with softpaws in place, my cats still use their scratching post and their scratchers.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 3/25/2008 2:12:33 PM
Author: Gypsy

Date: 3/25/2008 2:07:43 PM
Author: CrookedRock
Well, now that I have officially made myself the most unpopular PSer...

You haven''t honey, I promise. It''s just a very emotional topic for many people. So it''s bound to get heated.

Ditto!