Declawing Cats...

shealy12 · October 2011

So we have a 6yr old cat who is currently not declawed. He is a terror on our wood trim and sofa sharpening his names. I've tried the Soft Paws, and he just picks them off. It's time for a new couch and loveseat, and my husband and I have been thinking about getting him declawed.

I know that it is not a nice procedure, but have heard there is a new method that they use a laser which makes it less painful, and quicker recovery time. I'm trying to do some 'real life' research on the process. My mom also thinks that we should get him declawed with a baby on the way. He has always been fine with my nephews, but she thinks if he does become jealous, that I will have one less thing to think about. I hate to put my kitty in pain, but am trying to figure out if it's the best thing for our family. There's no way he can be an outside cat, and giving him away is not an option.

Do any of you have cats that you've declawed? How was the recovery time for them? Were they older when you did it, or were they kittens?? Obviously, I am going to talk to my vet about this as well, but thought maybe you could give me some input?? I don't want to cause any unnecessary pain to him, but I also don't want to spend a lot of money on furniture that just gets trashed. Thoughts??

pensparade · October 2011

I have had 2 cats declawed and many not.

1 of the ones who was not was an indoor cat and was fine with furnature.

The 2 that were declawed were both indoor cats as well and one of them had litter box problems for YEARS which many people attribute to cats who are declawed.

We always did it at a young age. I wouldn't want to do it to an older pet though I know people who have and thought it was perfectly fine.

I am not really a cat person but IMO, I wouldn't do it because of

1. age

2. potential litter box problems.

JSweetieXO · October 2011

My cat is 8 and I won't think of doing it this late in life because I have heard some pretty bad stories of doing it when the cat is older and they become completely different/disconnected.

Laouli · October 2011

Im sorry.. but I would NEVER declaw a cat that is that old... My cat is the same age and while I worry about it.. I wouldnt do it to my cat... I use a spray bottle and spray him wheneve rI catch him clawing something.. it helps tremendously..

sheaster · October 2011

I had my cats declawed when I moved into my first apartment. They were older cats. They had it done the old way, which was to have them cut out. I had just their front paws done. They seemed to do fine when they came home. They didn't appear to be in pain. They slept a lot, more than usual for a cat ha!, that day from the anesthesia. They didn't like having their paws bandaged, but I can't blame them there. I think I felt worse about it than they did. I had to replace their litter with shredded newspaper until their little paws healed. After they healed, they still pawed at the couch and wood trim and they tried to pop the dogs. It didn't appear to phase them at all without their 'talons', but they weren't able to do any damage.

I know it's not an easy decision. But, the process was easier than I thought.

Water bottles work great for stopping behaviors. And, my cats never had litterbox issues afterwards.

raynes · October 2011

When we got our new couches we were worried about the cats scratching them. Some double sided tape and a new (DIY) scratch post (as well as an Alpine scratcher and another "wave" one) have kept them off the furniture.

ChelseyB5186 · October 2011

I personally have 2 cats, and neither of them are declawed, so take my input as you will...My oldest cat is 3 and she is not declawed, however, we do not have any problems with her scratching people or furniture, she mainly sticks to a couple pieces of furniture that are "hers" to scratch, and of course a scratching post. Our youngest cat is 1 and we've had problems with her scratching us up, but it's honestly because she's young and kind of dumb, and doesn't know how to jump on and off our laps without harming us like our oldest cat does. We DO however use the Soft Paws with her successfully. She tries to bite them off, but I make sure I take my time with each individual claw (while my DH holds her) and we hold her still before she takes off for about 5 minutes. Whenever she loses one or a few (which we check for every couple of days) I replace that one or however many she has lost. We haven't had too many problems, in fact, we've had to cut some of them off because her nails have grown and they still stick on. I'm only saying this because if you want MY advice, it would be to give the Soft Paws another try. Declawing your adult cat will be detrimental to their personality. Other than what pps said about litter box problems, I've heard that cats that get declawed (especially at an older age) tend to shy away, and the personality they once had changes a bit. It may not be the advice you want about being pro-declawed, but I just thought I would share my experience. Good luck.

LoveTravel · October 2011

JSweetieXO:
My cat is 8 and I won't think of doing it this late in life because I have heard some pretty bad stories of doing it when the cat is older and they become completely different/disconnected.

I was told similiar stories and the vet even said he wouldn't be comfortablet doing it at her age. With that said our cat has ruined trims and our couches-she's quite older so we're keeping the couches until she peacefully goes to sleep....and will look at buying new furniture then and IF we ever get a a cat again it will be declawed when it's young.

whiterabbit5 · October 2011

We have 2 indoor cats that are also declawed. When we got them we had them declawed and spayed all at the same time. That way they wouldn't have to be put under again and have to go through another surgery. We got them as kittens and did both as soon as they were old enough to be spayed. IMO I wouldn't declaw at such a late age. Something about it doesn't sit right. They are used to their claws at this point, if that makes sense. My vet also said that they try not to declaw at an older age but can recommend some environmental changes to decrease the scratching.

sbost0118 · October 2011

I've always had my cats declawed, but I usually do it when I first get them at the same time I have them fixed so it's never been with a cat that old. I''ve never had any unusual behavior following the declaw. Like a pp said, they seem to be bothered more by the bandages than the surgery. All but one cat never realized they didn't have front claws. That one adapted to scratching with his back claws.

KDeola · October 2011

I have two cats, a 10 yo and 3 yo, they are both declawed in the front. I had the 10 yo declawed when he was 2 years old and I admit that it was not easy on him. I felt horrible about it. I really think it would be a bad idea to do it to a 6 yo cat. My younger one I had declawed at the same time she was spayed at maybe 6 mos. No problems at all, she was perfectly fine from the minute I brought her home. It is really something that needs to be done when they are young. Sorry

shealy12 · October 2011

Thanks for your input everyone. It's not a decision I'm taking lightly. I haven't decided either way at this point. Forgot to mention that I have spent countless dollars on tree stands and cat scratching things only to have him completely ignore them and go for my trim/couch. Apparently nothing feels as good as the couch?? Have also tried soft paws more than once. I did exactly what instructions said with trimming nails first, then applying. He has a water fetish, so I'm not sure that would work or not. It's worth a shot though.

Husband and I went couch shopping this weekend, and of course the only one we could agree on was a leather couch...which was not what I was looking for because kitty really torn up my parents leather couch. Am going shopping again tonight, so maybe we'll find something better. I will also talk with my vet - about his age, and the process in general.

darleenmonroe · October 2011

I would not declaw the cat due to age. It's an extremely painful procedure. Even if you do laser - EXTREMELY painful. Most vets reccomend this at 6 weeks of age when they come in to be fixed.

I would talk to your vet about how to deal with the furniture. That behavior must be addressed.

Browneyedhunni85 · October 2011

We recently had our cat declawed in June. He is about three years old. He was ruining our furniture and it was either get rid of him or declaw him. He is strickly an indoor cat. He healed up very well. The only issue we had was giving him his medicine. It was a challenge but other than that we do not regret declawing him. We feel it was the best thing for our family. He is also a lot more lovable and less aggressive. I was worried that he would become a biter after being declaw but luckily we haven't had an issue. Also, he would do most of his scratching at night when we were asleep so spraying him with a spray bottle or other types of things wouldn't have worked in our case.

dojo1 · October 2011

I'm a monster, I declaw my cats. I honestly don't like myself for it, but I do it anyway. I cannot justify it in anyway that is reasonable comparable to what they go through, only to say that my cats wouldn't have homes at all if it weren't for me.

I declawed a 3 year old cat. She was fine, she took it better than the kitten did. It took her a good three days with the vet and then another 2-3 at home to get used to it (but I also made the mistake of getting them declawed at the same time we moved into a new home so I brought two scared cats, who had never met each other to the vet, got them declawed and then brought them home to their new shared accommodations - in retrospect this was a terrible idea).

biblionerd · October 2011

I would not declaw a cat of any age, under any circumstances. I think it is a cruel and horrible procedure (and yeah, sorry but I judge those who do it). I also think it says a lot about our culture when it's so common here and people just wave it off like it's no big deal and it's illegal in so many other countries.

It also amazes me when people do the procedure without even knowing what it is. I find it so disgusting when people who have actually had this done think that they just "cut the nails out", or just removed the nail. That is impossible. They physically remove the first joint of the cat's "fingers". It is equivalent to surgically removing the first joint in your fingers. Now imagined if you walked on your fingers after having that done. Tell me that having a laser cut that joint off would make it any more pleasurable having your bones removed... It is 10 separate amputations. As far as "oh mine were fine from the minute they came home". That's BS. Cats are one of the best, if not the best, animals at hiding pain. They will act perfectly fine up until they're on their death bed.

I personally would rather see someone give away or euthanize a cat before amputating their bones.

https://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm

shealy12 · October 2011

I never said that using the laser makes it pleasureable. I simply said that the laser is less painful, and has a quicker recovery time. I have talked with a few vets on this. I have been trying to be very through in my research. I understand the process.

I have not made a decision either way as of yet. That is why I posed the question...to get more information. I understand those who don't do it, as well as I understand those who do. I dont judge either because I think each person must make their own decision. At this point, I am uncertain as to what is best for our situation.

biblionerd · October 2011

shealy12:I never said that using the laser makes it pleasureable. I simply said that the laser is less painful, and has a quicker recovery time. I have talked with a few vets on this. I have been trying to be very through in my research. I understand the process. I have not made a decision either way as of yet. That is why I posed the question...to get more information. I understand those who don't do it, as well as I understand those who do. I dont judge either because I think each person must make their own decision. At this point, I am uncertain as to what is best for our situation. I guess that's the difference... I would consider what is best for the cat, not myself. Laser or not, you're still amputating. Many vets are extremely behind the times and will tell you whatever you want to hear to get your money. This study found no clinical differences between scalpel amputation and using a laser in regards to complications and pain. ?Use of Carbon Dioxide Laser for Onychectomy in Cats,? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 221, No. 5 (1 September 2002): 651-653

shealy12 · October 2011

biblionerd:
shealy12:

I never said that using the laser makes it pleasureable. I simply said that the laser is less painful, and has a quicker recovery time. I have talked with a few vets on this. I have been trying to be very through in my research. I understand the process.

I have not made a decision either way as of yet. That is why I posed the question...to get more information. I understand those who don't do it, as well as I understand those who do. I dont judge either because I think each person must make their own decision. At this point, I am uncertain as to what is best for our situation.

I guess that's the difference... I would consider what is best for the cat, not myself. Laser or not, you're still amputating. Many vets are extremely behind the times and will tell you whatever you want to hear to get your money. This study found no clinical differences between scalpel amputation and using a laser in regards to complications and pain. ?Use of Carbon Dioxide Laser for Onychectomy in Cats,? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. 221, No. 5 (1 September 2002): 651-653

When I say 'our' situation, I mean OUR situation as in mine, hubby, baby, and CAT. I love my kitty, and of course am concerned for his well being. I want to find a compromise that all of us are happy with. I have not amputated anything right now. I am simply RESEARCHING. I really don't understand how I am a cruel person for doing all the research on all the options out there. This is not something I take lightly.

I really don't believe that 'most vets will tell you whatever you want to hear to get your money'. All the vets I've dealt with are vets because they love animals, and are more concerned with animals well being than money. I have a great relationship with my vet, and as I said previously, I am going to discuss this at length with him.

I did not start this thread to start a debate about whether you agree with declawing or not. I started it to try to get real life experiences from people who have declawed their cats on how their cats were affected by it. I appreciates everyone's response, and I don't think anyone should be judged by their responses.

christina22w · October 2011

Just an idea on the water bottle....my cats also have a fetish with water. We have to keep the toliet seats down otherwise they are playing in the water all day, so getting sprayed by a water bottle didn't really phase them. So I either put some vinegar or some drops of perfume in the water & then they HATE it because of the smell!! Good luck on your decision, & who knows maybe when you get the new couches you could just be really strict from the start & he might just learn that its absolutely off limits!!

Cheerio B · October 2011

I did it when my cats were 6. I was moving into a new place and one of my kitties had anxiety issues and had dug holes in the carpet down to the subfloor in several places in my apartment. I didn't want to do it but I didn't want her destroying every place I lived. We too tried the soft paws and they were a joke. I did the laser procedure and was very happy with how my kitties did. We have had no litter box issues and the recovery time period was even shorter than I expected. If you decide to do it, please make sure you kitty can never go outside.

devious1031 · October 2011

I've never been a fan of declawing and I've had at least 6 of my own personal cats and about 10-some odd foster cats. If any of them ever started clawing at stuff I'd just redirect to a scratching post with catnip or toys to keep them busy.

dramaqueen3 · October 2011

I have two cats. One is front-paw declawed and the other has all four paw of claws. He tore up one of our chairs once and I almost killed him. I'm not proud of that. We talked about declawing but I hated to do that if I didn't have to. And it's expensive. BUT, if the option was to get rid of a cat I'd had for 6 years or declaw, I would declaw. The reason our clawed kitty scratched the furniture was because he didn't have a scratching post. Now that he has a scratching pad and post, he has not touched our furniture. I'm not worried about him and the baby. Just like ANY animal, they should be monitored with a new baby - with or without claws. Good luck to you and your family (and yes, my two cats are part of my family)!

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