Declawing Kittens

This is something that I admit I have thought about doing. However, once I learned what the process is, I couldn't possibly bear to actually go through it. I think it's very cruel and inhumane.

I say train your cats not to claw your furniture instead of cutting off a body part. I think that it is so messed up to declaw cats. They can't climb and they can't defend themselves. I think that if you can't handle your cat clawing things sometimes, then get a dog.

Hi SmallFryK! I am glad you decided not to have your cats declawed. In my opinion, it is inhumane. There are people that have it done and I eveb rescued an abandoned cat once that had that prodedure done. His feet looked terrible. I don't know if it was a botched surgery or if they were supposed to look that way..but I can't imagine the pain he must have went through healing. There is also the argument of protection. If they are ever outside...they are alot easier targets for stray dogs or any kind of predator. I think I would go with the scratching posts and the no no sparys you can get. You can trim their claws too..if you are careful.

Look at it as someone taking away your finger nails without you being ok with it ya know? I was ok with it when i was younger but now i look at it as wrong. They make these little caps that go over their nails called "pretty paws" or something like that, my cat wears them and doesn't seem to have an issue with them at all and her nails still function but she isn't able to claw things. You should look into those.

A while ago, my parents and I adopted a cat from the humane society. It was not until we went to trim her nails that we discovered that she is declawed on her front paws. I was horrified until I realized that the cat uses her front paws to scent mark her territory, as cats have scent glands in their paws. Knowing that she does this, I can see why someone had her declawed (to protect furniture.) She seems to have adapted well to her handicap, however. She continues to be an indoor/outdoor cat, coming and going as she pleases. She gets into fights at times with other neighborhood cats, but seems to hold her own while only having her back claws and and a mouthful of sharp teeth for self defense. While I would never have a cat declawed, there are instances where a cat simply does not want to comply with any training methods or deterrents which are used to discourage them from using their claws in undesired ways. So, for some, declawing can be used, but only as a last resort.

On another note: I've known a LOT of people who had cats around small children with no problems. My best friend's two-year-old learned not to pull the cat's tail by getting a swipe on her hand. If the cat hadn't had it's claws, it probably would've bitten her and hurt her anyway, so it doesn't necessarily prevent injury. Personally, I'd rather be scratched than bitten; my kitten can bite a lot harder and deeper than she can scratch. I think it's more important to teach your kids how to behave around animals so the animal won't WANT to scratch them, than to alter the cat. (I brought this up because you mentioned protecting both your furniture AND family from scratches, so I assumed you meant children. Adults can usually handle it!)

I have had cats all my life, and currently we have 4. I have never declawed a cat, nor would I. (The one exception is my diabetic cat, who had a claw get infected and it wouldn't heal. We had to consider whether we would remove the claw, but luckily it finally healed before we had the surgery done). In my opinion, it is inhumane, and also leaves your cat somewhat defenseless. Even indoor cats can get outside occasionally, and need their claws for protection and climbing. Cats' claws are also useful for grooming and their mental well-being! I think you have made the right decision. Have fun with your new kitten!

Well I don't think I'd try declawing my kitty. I think surgery is too scary for a poor cat. But I tried trimming her nails though. My mom taught us how. It kinda works well.

As far as I can tell by cats that I've seen shortly after the surgery, they appear to be in pain. Rather than thinking of it as removing part of your fingers, imagine that someone has removed part of your TOES and you still had to walk on them. I've seen cats wince and make the most awful noises the first few times they try to walk with the bandages on their paws. Declawing a cat basically amounts to a painful, expensive, unnecessary surgery for... your convenience. It in no way benefits the cat or its population (as spaying/neutering does) and really only benefits your sofa. My grandmother had a declawed cat when I was growing up, and I can't tell you how many times I watched him fall off of things and land on his head because he had no grip/traction. Personally, the ONLY time I have EVER considered it is when my kitten recently scratched my eyelid deep enough to leave a scar. My eye was swollen half shut for about 12 hours and I was in a lot of pain. In the end, I decided not to declaw her because I knew it was an accident and nothing like that has happened since. If it's a safety issue (for example, if an elderly, delicate person wanted a cat) then perhaps it's a viable issue, but don't do this to save your furniture. Just because your parents did it, doesn't make it right; they probably didn't know any better. I usually tell people, if you really want a declawed cat for whatever reason, go to the shelter and pick up a cat who has already been declawed by its previous owner. That way, you are not only rescuing a cat who may not get a home otherwise, but you are also getting a cat with no claws that you do not have to submit to that horror yourself.