declawing cat ?

I ABSOLUTELY agree with Sonicstef on all points! My cat was given to me with front paws declawed, and let me tell you he DOES NOT know the difference! He still kneads his paws and 'scratches' couches, doorframes, etc! He even grabs things as if he has claws! He is one happy cat!

I have to cats who are NOT declawed - YES I have tried EVERYTHING (except meds - which dr doesn't think would do anything) - BUT they STILL scratch. I have had these cats for 6 years so I am NOT as concerned about my furniture as I am about what will happen if we have children in the next 3 or 4 years.

Are any of you considering declawing so that your cat will not scratch your children?

I'm typing while FI 'dictates':

We're sorry that you are in this dilemma. It is obviously a difficult situation and there is no simple solution. You will need to weigh the benefits versus the risks in making your choice for the cat.

THe soft paw option has the benefit of a non-surgical procedure. However, a cat with her behavior will require anesthesia each time the soft paws are placed (every 6-8 weeks). Expect elevated costs and risk concerns for repeated anesthesia in the long term

Lazer and tendonectomy procedures are available and some vets do them. There have been some problems associated with them.

Declawing middle aged cats has increased complications depending on the surgeon and the patient, which include increased sensitivity, possible pain, and infection. All are generally eliminated after relatively short periods if present.

Chemical behavioral reconditioning has it's benefits, however, some have complete opposite effect, meaning the cat gets worse.

The choice is yours.

In the many situations I've dealt with that the client's have been 'stuck' at this age, I have performed declaws with no little to no complications.

If this was my cat, I wouldn't hesitate to declaw him, but once again, it would be me doing the surgery...because there are different declawing techniques.
I use a fine surgical blade specifically for declawing that leaves a very tiny opening where all is necessary is surgical glue, the feet are bandaged, the cat gets medication for pain, morning, evening, morning, evening, morning and then goes home on medication for pain, and antibiodics. All clients have been happy with this procedure including my own cat.

The other way a declaw is done is the reason why declawing has received a bad name in the past (a guillitine (sp?) nail trimers is used where the nail and toe are disarticulated and the opening is very large where sutures need to be placed. Rarely a piece of bone is left, so there's a higher probabililty of infection and pain.

Good luck with your decision and keep us posted.

-Kathy and Brian

Thank you so much Kathy and Brian!!! the info is great...I FMed you back

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Posted by Rob-luvs-me

Are any of you considering declawing so that your cat will not scratch your children?

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she doesn't scratch the furniture at all...well a little but does no harm...so that is not an issue...the issue is that she'll use her claws to pull herself up onto me or if she is mad...and she did this to my 4 year old niece...so I worry about her and our children....

How old is the cat?? I heard that when they are younger they heal a little better than an older cat.
Thank goodness we have leather couches...I know sounds crazy, but the cat has NO DESIRE to scratch at it.
I bought this cardbaord scratch board for him, and HE LOVES it
He neves uses the the rugs anymore, and doesnt use his scratchy post.

I have a scratching board. It's sort of elevated on one end and it is made of tight wound rope. It's hard to explain but they both love it.

I put loose cat nip on it to attract them at first, and now they love it.

When I got my cat 5 years ago as an under-nourished stray I said I'd NEVER declaw him because it was just plain mean ! Until....the little bugger became very well-nourished and started using the legs of my couch as scratching posts (completely ignoring the actual scratching post). Not only that just with his playful personality of swatting at everything in sight, he would accidentally take chunks of skin out of me and guests. Right then and there I decided it had to be done, but only his front claws.

I cried when they brought the empty kitty-carrier back to me, I felt so guilty. And I felt so bad when I got him back the next day. The poor kitty would take two or three steps and then lay down and lick his wounded paws I felt like the worst pet owner ever. BUT, in about two days he was back to his normal self and didn't even seem to miss his claws. 5 years later he still does the clawing action on door frames and the side of the couch and he's still swatting at things but now it doesn't hurt.....I'm thankful I had it done and he loves me all the same!

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Posted by halloweenbride04
he would accidentally take chunks of skin out of me and guests.

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this is my major issue...I was in so much pain the other night...that I didn't know what to do...

its nice to know a lot of you had positive experiences with declawing (after a few days)

but I am going to set up an appoint with our vet and see if she can recommend the less abrasive procedure...

Glad we could help