Considering Getting the Cat Declawed.

Hi F.,
Have you considered SoftPaws or SoftClaws? Both of my cats have worn them. They are claw caps/covers that you put on over the cat's nail. Kinda looks like the cat has a nice pedicure! ;) Google SoftPaws & have a look! Lots of fashion choices!!
HTH,
~K.

We have a declawed cat. She came with our house & the procedure had been done by her previous owner. I personally would not declaw & even if I wanted to, my husband would never ever. He's British & it's illegal to declaw in the UK. I didn't know this until I was reading about it, but declawing is actually an amputation of the first digit!

We alwasy have to be VERY careful not to let Cat get out. However, she escaped somehow one day & we couldn't find her. She came back an hour later, mewing at the door. I let her in & went about my business. Later that evening, she jumped into my lap & I noticed an awful smell. Looking her over, I saw two holes in her back leg, as though she'd been bitten by a small dog or another cat. We tried to clean the wound ourselves, but over the next couple of days it opened up to a nasty, stinky, gaping hole. A vet visit & a couple hundred dollars later, we learned that it was probably a cat bite, as cat bites are so nasty that the bacteria does indeed make the wound open & fester. She had to have the nasty skin scraped off & had to wear one of those lampshade things to keep from licking it. Caring for it at home was disgusting for me & painful for her. All because she didn't have claws to defend herself.

She's desperate to go outside & will dash out given the opportunity, but we always have to chase her down & bring her back in.

No, I would not declaw. I've had cats growing up, my children have grown up with other cats who've not been declawed. Sure, we've all be scratched, but that's part of cat ownership & the scratches have all healed.

We have 2 inside only cats, and I struggled with getting them declawed just as you are struggling now. I have a fantastic vet that I trust completely and I asked her about it. Her opinion is that it is fine to declaw cats as long as they are NEVER outside. Both of our cats are now declawed (front only). One of them is 15 years old now, and the other is 7, and I have never regretted the decision. We've had several outside cats through the years (we live on a farm), and never declawed any of them. Good luck with your decision.

I had it done to both of my cats and they were fine. Healed fine and everything. someone might suggest only getting the front done and not the back so they have something to defend themselves with but my cats did not go outside so I did not have to worry about that. If you don't get the back done when they jump off of things the back claws will wreck your furniture.
Lonie

front claws only. go for it.

I think it depends on the age of your cat. Declawing is best done when they are still young, because then they really don't know any better. But if your cat is older and used to having/using her claws, then it may indeed cause further behavioral issues.

I had just adopted two kittens when I found out I was pregnant with my oldest daughter (now 14). I decided to have them declawed (front only) because of worry of how they would be with a baby. They recovered well and it never created any behavior issues. But I also had two older cats and wouldn't do it to them because I felt it would cause them mental anguish. In the end, the claws were never a big deal one way or the other.

I probably wouldn't do it again, though. Somewhere along the way my attitude changed and I started thinking how cruel it is to take away a natural defense.

However, your children come first! So do what is right so there are no avoidable injuries.

My cats are all declawed, fronts only. Even though mine never go outside I would never consider doing the backs. I don't think it's necessary and if one was to ever escape he would be completely defenseless. JMO.
Some will tell you it changes their personality and/or causes behavior problems; however, I have never found that to be true.
Some will tell you it's inhumane. Believe me, I love my cats as much as anyone and though I would certainly prefer to not declaw it's just not always an option and I believe my cats are healthier, happier and most definitely safer at home with me than they were before I rescued them from the outside world were they had been left to fend for themselves.
I'm afraid you'll get a lot of criticism for considering declawing your beloved kitty but don't let it get to you; you know what's best for your household. As for me, I applaud you for finding a way to keep your kitty as opposed to banishing her from the home.
Check into laser declawing. Less pain, less bleeding, faster recovery. Just be sure to find someone experienced.

i've done it to cats that i knew were going to be inside only, but only the front ones. on one cat, i waited too long and he was older/fatter. he took longer to heal up than a smaller cat. just something to consider.

Hi F.,
I was a vet tech for over 11 years. Four of them was at a Feline only practice. De clawing is and can be a heated debate among cat lovers. I have seen that cats that are kept indoors and are declawed make a happy home for all that live together, both feline and human. If you raise a kitten gentle most will grow up to be gentle cats. That means no ruff housing EVER. No playing with your hands or any body part. Use a toy instead. If the cat bites or scratches remove the cat by the scruff of the neck to another room or confine in a carrier until the moment of excitement is over and try again. Never hit or cause the kitten to become defensive, that makes the problem worse. Most cats that are declawed recover quickly and never behave any different than with claws. It is a rule of thumb that the younger the kitten/cat the better the recovery will be. Like in the case of an over weight cat that has to bear alot of weight on the paws after surgery. It does hurt, no question about that but with drugs and proper confinement they heal quickly and without much discomfort. I would suggest that you find a vet that keeps them for two days instead of one. Though it may be hard to part for that long, the bandages can stay on longer and the cat can be kept quiet/still for a longer period than if taken home. It also may be wise to ask if the claw removal is done with a scalpel or a nail trimmer. Most complications come from the use of a nail trimmer and a shortened confinement time after surgery. A good skilled surgeon will use a scalpel instead of a nail trimmer and required a two night stay until they can go home.
Best Regards,
C.

Sorry to have had to edit, I didn't take the time to read all of you request. "(

I have had cats that were declwed (front only) and I did have one cat who was an outdoor cat and he was NOT declawed, but his nails were never an issue. They do sell nail covers for cats (not sure what they are called). I have never done them but I think you replace them every 2 weeks or month (I am not sure). I don't even know if they work, but a vet friend told me about them. I believe you can get them at the pet store and they are not that expensive if it was something you wanted to try before declawing.

Dear Miz F.,

It sounds like you have my youngest daughter! I would have had her declawed, but she ran away.

You seem to be giving her a good home. I am sooooo glad that you had her "spade". That gal was one promiscous
kitty.

She was taught better than to scratch her loved ones, so go ahead and get her declawed. However, if you play rough with her she will think it is alright. Tell her Momma said to "shape up and play nice".

If she is mistreated or frightened, she can do even more damage with her back claws than her front.

I NEVER attack my loved ones with my back claws, but boy did I fool them with what I CAN do with them!! We had lived in an apartment most of my life and I was definately an indoor cat and content to be. However, we moved to a new home with a 8 ft. board fence around a pretty yard. My lady would take her coffee outside every morning and I knew she would like to have my company---someone to talk to. Soon I convinced her that it was safe to let me out. I acted scared and shy for a long time, just sniffing my way around our new space. Ahhh, what wonderful smells and sights. Especially the view from her neighbors roof top! Hee, hee, hee.

Mrs. M.O.M.Cat

PS And as far as pain---well, let me tell you about my recent experience with being spade! I have had both procedures and by golly, they both hurt. But such is life.