The endless DECLAW debate

[Faithful83]

What do you guys think of declawing cats?

I personally don't agree with it. If I ever have a declawed cat, it will be declawed because it came to me that way, but God gave them their claws, so I really think we should leave well enough alone.

If a cat CANNOT be trained to scratch more appropriate items than the couch, would I then advocate declawing? Well, it's probably better than euthanizing the cat, but here's my problem:

If we allow for people to say that their cat is untrainable (in regards to scratching), we run the risk of people just not wanting to bother taking the time and patience to train the cat to scratch appropriately, and so, after 2 days of trying to get the cat to scratch appropriately, label the cat untrainable and thus justifying chopping their claws off.

Interestingly, dogs scratch too--ever come home to find Rover decided to become a construction worker, in your backyard? While we hate it when dogs dig, we don't amputate their toes.

Any thoughts?

 

[Dagna]

My thoughts on it are very similar to yours. The only declawed cat I've ever had came to me that way and she was so incredibly anti-social, that I will never have it done. Even when I was like 10 I thought declawing was a horrible thing. There's many other options. Trimming the claws is one of the best, and should be done on a cat even if they don't claw. Also, there's a product called Soft Paws or Soft Claws, that is a nail cap that you put on trimmed nails. It keeps a cats claws from hooking into carpet, so even if they do claw, there's no damage. I have a cat who claws carpet, and living in an apartment, that's a bad thing, but the Soft Paws really do work. She claws away happily and her claws just pass right through the carpet with no damage. I think many people just want the easy way out when it comes to declawing and many people refuse to believe that a cat can be trained to not claw. it's always what if the cat claws the furniture. Well, in my opinion, if you value your furniture that much, either get an already declawed cat (there's a ton in rescues and shelters) or don't get a cat at all.

 

[lucypevensie]

I prefer my cats to have claws. That's the way they are made and it's up to us to learn how to train them and to learn how to handle our cats, it's really that simple. Our cats have claws and it really is a nice thing to know that they will have that extra defense if they should ever need a little protection. It has taught our kids how to handle our cats with gentleness and kindness.

 

[Faithful83]

These two replies remind me of a conversation I had with my brother just before he got his cat's toes amputated (let's call it what it is...it's not just the claw, it IS the last digit of the toe). I suggested Soft Paws. "They might fall off/get chewed off and I don't want to replace them all the time." I suggested training to a scratching post. I got something to the effect of: "Don't have time. The cat won't get it, blah blah blah..." I may have even mentioned pain. Not sure if I did or not but I think the answer would have been well we'll just give the cat pain meds or something.

If my brother's reasoning had been: "This cat claws everything. I've tried to get her to not claw the furniture but she keeps doing it. I've heard from people who weren't satisfied with the Soft Paws so I'm not too keen on wasting my time trying it. She's a good cat, so I'd rather declaw than euthanize her."--Well, I might not have agreed with the decision, since I still think at least trying the Soft Paws would be in order just to see, but I'd have probably looked more kindly upon it than the fact that he had his cat declawed as a totally pre-emptive measure.

 

[flicka]

I previously had two indoor cats who I had declawed...but I would never do it again. Minor scratching of furniture is just one of the drawbacks to owning a cat. There are things you can do to keep it to a minimum but it's always a possibility. I now have four fully clawed indoor/outdoor cats and they do claw an ottoman and I allow it because it keeps them away from the other furniture. It's the cats personal property now and since they are part of the faimily they deserve it and everyone is happy

 

[Didymus]

i know of several cats who were declawed who were biters. i am not positive that is the reason but it is interesting. i have had cats all my life and not one of them has been decalawed and non have biten me. one did like to claw this one chair but that is the only problem i have ever had. i let my present cat claw on an old table leg and she is happy.

 

[Faithful83]

I've also heard that declawing alters the cat's personality.

But really, if someone took you to a strange place (imagine if it was your very first visit to the doctor), left you there, and then when you were there, they put you to sleep, only for you to wake with throbbing pain in your fingers. You look down and realize that all 10 of your fingers have the end bones missing from them. Then, the person who dropped you off picks you back up and takes you home and acts as if nothing happened. How would you feel?

(And btw, you were not allowed to eat the evening before you went in.)

 

[Mulutka]

IMHO--> If a person can't handle a cat keeping it's claws, then they shouldn't get a cat!! Just like if a person doesn't want a dog that barks, then don't get a dog!! (I'm *strongly* against opperations that take the vocal chords, or whatever it is thats taken out, of a dog so they can't bark).

I hate having my nails too short, so I can only imagine how it is for a cat that has no claws and, therefore, can't scratch themself properly.

A person has to make sacrifices and take extra responsiblities when they become a pet owner-- and one of those sacrifices/responsiblities is to teach their cat to scratch acceptable pieces of furniture (like a kitty condo/tree) while also accepting the fact that some of their precious furniture will take some wear. For myself, I have fineally accepted the fact that cat hair is an inevitiable part of being a pet owner... additionally, I've also accepted that I can't wear black clothes while lounging on my sofa... and light coloured area rugs are better than dark ones!!

 

[Dawn Marie]

My uncle's cat is not declawed, and he has completely scratched huge chunks of their walls off... lol.

So I dunno. I think if you want a declawed cat, get one which has already had it done. If not, train it to not claw at your walls and furniture.

 

[Nicci]

I am totally against declawing. If you don't want a pet that claws, you don't need to get a cat. If you can't take the time to train your cat, you don't need a cat. I have two cats who both have all their claws. They scratch my furniture sometimes. I knew what I was getting into before I got cats though. Sabrina knows to use her scratching post, but Courtney doesn't. She's getting better, but training takes time and effort. I would never get her toes amputated just because I'm having a hard time training her. Right now, it's not a huge issue because I'm a typical college kid and I don't have nice things anyway, but later on if I'm still not having any luck I'll just invest in Soft Paws.

I've heard of people who ran off and got their cats declawed because their kids got scratched, but even that falls under teaching your children how to interact with cats and be gentle with animals. I got scratched a few times when I was little, and eventually I realized that if I chase Kitty around for three hours trying to play when he wants to sleep, I'm gonna get hurt. I don't have any children, but I have five little brothers and sisters. They all know how to interact with my animals. They've all been bitten by the bird and scratched by the cats, but now they have learned to be more gentle.

Cats who are declawed also bite more. The claws are their first line of defense, teeth are their second. I'd much rather face a cat's claws than her teeth. Sabrina bit me once, at the vet's office, and it hurt worse than getting scratched.

 

[LilRed]

I have a VERY prissy calico that is spoiled rotten and WILL NOT step a paw outdoors. She is a diva and has become my baby! Alli recently went to live with my boyfriend, Alfred, who is in the military and lives in base housing. Well surprisingly, they took to each other quite well, but Alfred had one problem with Alli from the get-go. Back home, she had a scratching post, and I left that behind for my sister's cat. So Alli began to use Alfred's couch as a replacement for the post. That didn't go over too well with Alfred--he wanted her declawed. However, we were able to come up with a method that works just as well, and is more humain. I went to walmart and picked up a 97 cent spray/squirt bottle--you can find them near the hair stuff. We give her a squirt and she bolts from the couch. Quite funny actually, watching her slide on the wood floor to get away, and not nearly as cruel .

 

[flicka]

You can also get kitty nail 'tips' at the vets office...they are placed over the cats nails and are blut so they cant tear things as easily. I would only do this if the cat never went outdoors tho because those claws come in handy for climbing things

 

[Faithful83]

That squirt bottle sounds like a good idea. lol

 

[Nicci]

I bought a squirt bottle for when the cats get too close to my budgie and my hamster. I've tried using it when they're clawing something too, and it works really well.

 

[Mulutka]

I can spray my cat all I want and he still wont behave!! Seriously--> he doens't mind getting soaked.

I've found that if I hiss at him (literally hiss like a mother cat) then he'll stop in his tracks. I can't believe how good this works. I don't even need to get off the sofa when I do it too! I just stare right at him and hiss!

 

[-Shar-]

I'm against declawing. If you don't want a pet that claws then you shouldn't get a cat.

 

[GodsGrl]

I don't really know but I think that if it is an indoor cat and it says indoor it is probably ok but you don't want to talk my advice on this cause I am new to all of this.

 

[HesMyAll]

Sometimes a penny can will work. You take a soda can and put about 10 pennies in it. When the cat goes near an area you don't want him/her in, you shake the penny can. It usually sends them scurrying for another area of the house.

 

[Nicci]

I've noticed that cats do hate that sound. Does anyone know why? Or is it one of those "just because" things? I've always wondered.

 

[Faithful83]

I don't really know but I think that if it is an indoor cat and it says indoor it is probably ok but you don't want to talk my advice on this cause I am new to all of this.

It is true that if you are going to declaw your cat and nothing will change your mind, the cat needs to stay indoors. A declawed cat outdoors with potential predators is an accident waiting to happen. However, an indoor cat can still feel the pain associated with declawing. There's where I have a problem with declawing--it is an amputation and causes pain.