declawing cat ?

IMO the difference between getting animals 'fixed' and getting animals declawed is thus:

My animal was fixed by north shore animal league because there are already enough cats out there who are put down daily because they do not have homes. Thankfully NSAL is no kill. But not all cats are that lucky. So when I adopted my cats (both as adults- as they are the ones that really need the homes) they were already neutered, for their future offspring's good.

However, I don't think there is a reason for declawing- we are doing it for US not for THEM- maybe because we don't want to deal with behavior modification, maybe because we don't want the inconvenience. this is an issue in the vet world- some vets are for it, some aren't. I don't understand why the soft paws aren't THE option- they last at LEAST 1 month or more on my cat (the girl- the boy doesn't claw anything but his rope scratcher). No damage, no scratches.

what are you going to do if your cat bites you next, remove its teeth?

And I don't agree to the whole surgically modifying the dog thing either- but then again I wouldn't buy a purebread b/c there are plenty of pound dogs that are in life/death situations.

Having a cat 'fixed' helps 'fix' the issue of overpopulation which leads to abandonment due to the lack of responsibility of humans. I think neutering or spaying a cat is the least humans can do as far as taking a step in the direction of responsibility.

I also don't agree with ear clippings or tail clippings. Nor do I agree with purchasing animals - especially from puppy mills or (over) breeders. But this is JMO.

Maybe I've gotten lucky with the cats I've had and have. Lucy is a scratcher and a biter - I deal with the scratches...it's partially my fault for not clipping her nails as often as I should. But again, this is just me and I'm NOT passing judgement. My mother, father & sister have all declawed their cats - for some reason they all had 'terror' cats (one of which is a siamese)...

On the cases that FI has dealt with, Soft Paws have not been a success whatsoever. THey are off in no time, the cat bites them off almost ALL the time.

We actually use them for our dogs because they have an issue with jumping (we are doing behavior modification and use a trainer, but sometimes, it's a lot harder than it sounds, some breeds are more difficult to work with, the issue of getting littermates, so they are more bonded to each other than to us and don't listen to us as much).

Anyways, our dogs chew them off also in a matter of a week.

Here's something my girlfriend does and she's a breeder of Bengal cats and refuses to declaw (she has two young children, and the cats were NASTY with their claws)

She bought a dremmel (like the nail salons have), and she just constantly dremmels their nails to a point where they are dull. But she has to keep on top of it, and she started them as kittens, so they aren't freaked by the noise, or by having someone do that to them.

No, your cat is probably SMART and more relaxed. I'm glad to hear it works for you, I'll tell FI there is hope!

She is so weird- believe me. she hisses all the time, but she doesn't realize it's hissing. Like she'll be playing and she'll be HISSING AT THE BALL! She's such a dork.

She's a good cat- we adopted her at 4- she HATED the other cat we had. Took her 6 whole months to be nice to us. She'd growl at us as SOON as we got within 3 feet of her. It was misery.

The two of them still get into it- which sucks b/c the boy can scratch her but she can't scratch back b/c of the claw caps.

Thats true. But there are many people who get their animals fixed b/c its more convienent to them and the concern for the pet population is secondary at best. Is it only okay for people who do it for the right reasons?

Also - there are many cat owners who would NOT HAVE CATS in their home if they could not declaw them. Is it better is better for the cat to be in a shelter or on the street with its claws or is it better to be in a good home without?

The difference to me is that for a very brief time of uncomfort, the cat gets a very comfortable and enjoyable life.

You could take it to the extreme and say piercing a childs ears is inhumane b/c its purely for decoration.

Thats just my opinion of course :D Everyone is entitled to their own.

wow...what a topic...but I am at the end of my rope...as much as I love my cat...I can't have her clawing me...she is deaf and partially blind so behavior modification is almost impossible...(we have hand signals...but it is VERY hard)


she does bite too...and thats another concern...but I would rather deal with the biting alone than biting and clawing...


and if it were only the furniture...i could deal...but she is making gaping holes in MY body...

Maybe try the softpaws first and then if you have to declaw?

My cats do NOT go outside- that's a HUGE no no.

the boy has his claws but only scratches his board (or my DH when he roughs him up)

I had a satanic cat too- my best advise is stay out of her way.

yabbobay,
I had a cat growing up--and she definitely had a mean temper. we had her declawed, and then she started to use her teeth! i think you need to be careful, having her declawed for reasons of safety (yours!) --i still have scars all over me from my cat biting me--- claws or no claws, she may just be an angry cat, and you may want to think about giving her up instead.

good luck!

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Posted by Sonicstef

Thats true. But there are many people who get their animals fixed b/c its more convienent to them and the concern for the pet population is secondary at best. Is it only okay for people who do it for the right reasons?

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I think it's a personal decision. Someone asked for an opinion and opinions were given. I really can't imagine what the convenience of fixing is. My understanding is that all shelters and adoption places strongly suggest - even offering incentives and low cost spay/neuter - neutering. I thought it was accepted/known that it *was* the right thing to do not that it was a question of being humane or inhumane or a necessity or not. No?

As Bob Barker says, 'have your pets spayed and neutered!'

Just had to add that

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Posted by octobergirl

yabbobay,
I had a cat growing up--and she definitely had a mean temper. we had her declawed, and then she started to use her teeth! i think you need to be careful, having her declawed for reasons of safety (yours!) --i still have scars all over me from my cat biting me--- claws or no claws, she may just be an angry cat, and you may want to think about giving her up instead.

good luck!

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it breaks my heart to think of this option...she bites now also...

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I had a satanic cat too- my best advise is stay out of her way.

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I wish I could...she somes to me seeking petting...and she can be so lovable...but she is missing part of her limbic system or something...b/c she will just snap like a crocadile...

Try not to give her up if it can be helped...because she's a biter and a scratcher, most rescue/no kill shelters won't taker her....and if you give her up to a reg. shelter, they'll probably euthanize her because she'll be unadoptable with her behavior problems.

If your seriously thinking of getting rid of her because of the clawing and biting, take care of her nails first, see if that helps....take step by step, and see how it goes.

I'm sorry you are going through this

He gets home late tonight, but I'll make sure he gets back to you either late tonight or tomorrow morning

Sometimes, I go to pet my cat's belly with both hands, and he freaks...but this pic is of us playing, so he's not normally this nutty: