Declawing

Please DO NOT declaw your cat! I did a discussion about this and even wrote an article and is with Associated Content about declawing...there are so many other alternatives to declawing, indcluding getting "SoftPaws" which are caps one places over the cat's claws. Declawing isn't just removing the claw but the first joint of each toes...think of it this way...it would be if someone amputated your fingers up to the first joint of each finger...that's what declawing is...mutilation of the toes of a cats feet--there even severe personality changes with a cat after declawing including aggression since a cat no longer has their defense mechanism--their claws http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1259346.aspx And here's my article I wrote http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/363642/the_declawing_of_cats_the_real_truth.html

I use Soft paws on my cat. She doesn't mind. Declawing is very bad, it is an amputation. Please read this: http://www.declawing.com/Link to soft paws: http://www.softpaws.com/ I am vary happy with soft paws application to my cat's nails. HUGS

Well I have to be honest I do not agree to that as the Cats need their Claws to defend themselves But I will not give you any Flack about it as you seem to have a good reason I don't understand though why your Cat is going for your Daughter like I really don't She is your Cat and you do what you think is right for your Daughter and for your Cat Sweetie

One of our daughter's gave us her cat and dog several years ago because she couldn't take them with her when she moved. We took them and the cat already had been declawed and spayed when she left them with us. I would recommend this if you have an inside cat. Our cat has never been outside. She doesn't destroy our furniture and doesn't have the chance to scratch any of us. The cat is happy and we are happy. This is the first cat we've ever owned and she's been a fantastic pet. It's my opinion that an outside cat needs their claws to defend themselves but an inside cat, no.

As long as the cat isn't gonna be let outdoors, i think declawing them is totally fine. it saves you, your daughter, and your furniture from being completely tore up. God bless

I do understand why you are doing it. I just wonder if it is in the best interest of the cat. They use their claws as a means to climb and groom themselves. Couldnt you just have nails clipped. I have my cats nails done and she doesnt scratch as much. You know your animal best. If he/she is a climber and active, she/he may be lost without them. Its difficult to decide due to the fact the claws are used in day to day life of a cat. Talk to your vet. Just remember that as any thing else, its a business. When I take my animals to the vet they always try to guilt trip me about something. WHen I say I cant afford it they try to say it is in the cat/dogs best interest. Untrue. Do what you can afford. Declawing isnt a necessity. So it is totally your decision and will not hurt the cat if you decide against it. I would try the clipping first. Good luck. dl

Please don't declaw her! Most people don't realize that the procedure removes the last joint of the cat's toe, kind of like having the last section of your finger cut off. It can affect the cat's balancing and walking ability, and make a very unhappy cat. And they can wear callouses on their pads, since it won't stop the clawing action, that can be as hard on your furniture as her claws are now. Have you tried training her to a scratching post? They are easy to make out of scrap wood and carpeting, or you can buy them at the pet store. I worry about her scratching people, though, I hope she isn't a mean cat, but just overly playful!

With her being an indoor only cat getting her declawed is perfectly fine. Any procedure you do on animals or people for that matter, can cause damage. My mother-in-law has nine cats. All of which stay inside and are all declawed. They are all loving cats and don't seem to be bothered by not having their claws. A cat only needs their claws if they are outside cats. There is nothing wrong with you having your cat declawed. You are doing what is best for your family and the cat given the situation. I think people should stop and think about what they are saying before they critisize you. God Bless!

We recently got our cat nutered and declawed. I know that it is an inhumane procedure, but it had to be done or we would have had to let the cat go. Since his declawing, Sass has become a good cat. No clawing and hissing. His temperment is totally different now. He is a totally inside cat. If he was an outside cat, I might have reconsidered for their protection.

I don't like it that so many people routinely declaw their cats, but sometimes it's the only thing that works. Since you seem to have tried everything else, it really might be the only thing left that you can do. Our cat is declawed. She is the first cat I've ever really owned (we had some strays as a kid that we fed, but they weren't really ours). We got her while I was pregnant, and I allowed my husband to get her declawed. I didn't even know what all it entailed. Once I found out, I was horrified that we had done that to our poor little baby. She got some really bad infections from the process, and ended up returning to the vet to heal there, so they could keep medicating her paws. I will NEVER do it to another cat.

i think it is a bit cruel to declaw a cat i had many cats as a child and ya they scratched when they were feeling threatened but that is their defense system. on the other hand if you have tried everything else to getit to stop clawing your daughter then mayube it is time to have it declawed

There are little nail covers you can buy that you glue on. They don't hurt the cat and keeps them from scratching. They come in different sizes and you can get them at most pet stores.

Oh gosh, I hope the others have convinced you NOT to get your poor cat declawed. It is not your cat's fault that she scratched you and your daughter. It is their instinct. And especially if she is still young!! My forever beloved cat, who passed away a few years ago, when he was a kitten... He was the cutest, sweetest little thing in th eworld, but he had scary little tantrums, where he'd be purring and then suddenly lunge at you, making me bleed all over the place. I'd get scars an dhe was just mean. Then I was a kid. But also sometimes when i played wiht her, she would miss or get too into playing. Other times just for no reason turn on me. Another of my cats who never ever meant to scratch would give me scars also accidentally. But we never punished them like that. And I hope you've read up on how terrible and abusive it is to declaw them. It's as if de-fingering a human, sadly. But anyway, as my dear cats grew older, they never ever tried to scratch me. And laugh or don't, after become a young adult, I started mourning my, ha ha, nostalgic scars. They actually started fading away after over a decade. I was so upset. But anyway, same as children, it takes some time for them to get used to things and behaving correctly. Cats can get frightened easily, and especially by young ones. Take Care!

I had no idea of what declawing would do with the cat before, because I do not have this service in my town which may be not necessary. But after reading the responses above, I beg you not to do that. It is just cruel to the cat even without mentioning the pain. I think the cat can be trained to scratch the wood or something. That's what my cat did before. And about hurting people, you can try to warn it. Let it know it's not allowed. Cats are smart. I think they can learn these and of course feel your love to them. May things become better.

Wow, I didn't know it was so bad. I am so glad my cat never really uses her claws, thankfully. But as much as I hate declawing it might be best, because cats scratches can cause a serious infection. I have heard of cat scratch fever also. Well it has been three weeks ago, sorry just now getting to this in my email but had so many, I guess it wasn't so wise to turn all the friends on had to turn a bunch off. Are there such a thing as cat booties that won't let the claws protrude? Well, I know you would only do what is best and for you and your familys health I guess declawing is best at this point unless the vet has a idea.

who is against declawing your cat? that is a wide practice here for cat lovers because they don't want their cat to hurt people or destroy some property. even dogs are declawed. i think pet lovers should do anything to prevent their pets to be a bother to other people because not all people loves dogs or cats. its just being considerate. ^__^

hi mamasan34. In my opinion, declawing is the worst choice for the cat owner. I know that cats can scratch - your skin, your furniture. But didn't you know that before taking this cat to your home? Pets are not toys, but I have an impression that people treat them almost like toys:/. There are a lot of pluses and minuses of having a cat, just like having any pet. They can become sick, and an owner have to pay for their cure and medicines. They can scratch, they can spoil something. But people should think about all of that BEFORE buying them. Declawing is an amputation, I'd never do it to my cat. I hope you will also find another solution. take care, jazgottt.

Also, for scratching furniture, yes we have scratched sofas, which we do not like. But do youhave plenty of scratching posts or climbers around the house. Hope you also have lots of fun cat toys. If we were in a big empty place, that has nothing except for maybe bowls of cat food everwhere, and you were in tehre all the time, I think I'd go a bit crazy and start throwing the food all over making a mess. But they have to sharpen and shave down their claws. If it is getting bad, you should really just simply go to the pet stores, adn purchase some of the furniture protectors or the spray that you put onto the furniture. it has odors that have no effect or even smell for us, often, but cats hate, adn it sends them away. I know they also are known not to like the smell of citrus. You may have to see waht works best for your individual cat though.

Don't do it. Seriously try everything else first. We had one of our cats declawed and it nearly killed him. See, we had a male cat, who was normally indoors only. Our neighbors 3 houses down had a cat that was outdoors almost 24/7. (Why they had said cat I STILL don't know as the thing was ALWAYS out.) Any rate, our cat did get out a few times without us knowing. First few times he had claws, and as males will be males, he and the neighbor's cat fought. Now even though both cats more then likely scratched him, since they were fighting and all, the neighbor said he was going to sue us unless our cat was declawed. My father, not realizing that it was impossible to prove WHICH cat injured the idiot, agreed. Well, cats will be cats, and he managed to escape outside again. Even though we were VERY careful about it. The neighborhood bully showed up, and nearly killed him because our cat could not defend himself. He spent several days at the vet, with a HUGE infection. The vet had to lace it, and he had to stay for observations. Vet said a little lower, and he'd have lost an eye, and possibly his life.

i personally have always opposed declawing a cat, it leaves them rather defenseless if they ever wind up outside, BUT, if it comes down to the well-being and safety of your child.. get her declawed. yer children come first and youve no reason whatsoever to feel guilty about that at all,nor should anyone give you grief over you trying to be a good parent. ignore those thatd scream animal cruelty, you know youre down to last resort and are doing whats best.