Cat Lovers! Ethical question concerning declawing.

[HERVEPA]

Now don't jump to conclusions before reading this. It is an ethical problem for me.

We lived with a cat for fifteen years. He died about 1 1/2 years ago.
He was declawed while a kitten.

I would like to get 2 cats. The cats would be indoors cats.
Presumably I'd get them from the local shelter. The problem is that my wife insists on a cat being declawed, because of the furniture and such.

Any suggestions as to how to train the cat so this wouldn't be a problem, or other such solutions, will not fly.

I know declawing is not very nice, is painful, unnatural (well, so is neutering), and really not very ethical.

So the ethical dilemma is:
--------------------------

Is it better to get the cats and get them declawed
or
to not get them at all, which will probably mean 2 cats (the ones I would get or others) would presumably wind up being euthanized?

Thanks for any opinions

[xultar]

1. Just get a scratching post...and cat nip.

I have 4 cats and I haven't had a problem with them at all. I clip their nails once a month and I have 4 scratching posts.

Usually I don't have any problems. If I do however, catch one scratching the carpet i shoot him with a water gun. That works perfectly!

[Maine-i-acs]

2. Get a good scratching post instead.

Don't rip their little fingernails out ... meow!

Teach them when young to sharpen their claws only on the scratching post. Just like the litterbox, you teach them to use one area.

A squirtgun helps with enforcement.

[HERVEPA]

3. Clarification

My wife is stubborn. These suggestions won't work. It's declawing or no cats. Yes, spouses can sometimes be unreasonable.

[Shakespeare]

20. If you absolutely have to get them declawed....

Get them both done at the same time, and the younger the better.

I think declawing should only be done as a last resort, but I'm not going to moralize about it, because sometimes you really don't have much choice. I had my two declawed after trying for almost two years to train them not to scratch. They had scratching posts. They had the little nail cover thingies. They got zapped with the water bottle. They were bribed with catnip.

They took to the scratching post enthusiastically, but continued to scratch both the sofa and the seats of the dining room chairs. They chewed off the nail covers as fast as I could get them on, and quickly grew indifferent to the water bottle. They literally destroyed my sofa and the chair seats.

My vet--who is a cats-only vet--worked with me through many months of this, and finally advised declawing, which caused me to burst into tears on the phone. He assured me that as long as the cats were well-adjusted (and mine are--two gorgeous slobs), and that I took the proper care with them, they'd be fine. And they were. Make SURE you request sufficient post-surgical pain meds for them, and you have to take special care with the litterbox for a week or two after the procedure. I kept mine on kitty painkillers for three days after surgery, and they did fine.

[radwriter0555]

Then go for no cats. Why get an animal just to mutilate it?

Pass on more cats you can't handle.

[gWbush is Mabus]

4. Don't get them at all.

If you want cats, be prepared for a cat's behavior
ruined furniture, smelly rooms, loud meows at night, etc.
If you just want something pretty to pet, get a stuffed animal.

Don't declaw a cat. That is like ripping out your fingernails.
they use there claws for balance, to grasp, etc. it is like our opposable thumbs.

Don't presume they would be euthanized. I am hopeful that somebody else will adopt them.



ps-If your wife insists on declawing cats, she would probably not make a good, loving parent to them.

[SOteric]

5. I don't like the idea of perfectly healthy animals being destroyed

but I have an 18 year old cat who was declawed as a kitten and I know it causes him pain merely to walk, which is heartbreaking to watch. It will grow progressively worse as a cat ages.

I cannot recommend declawing a cat.

Moreover, a strong scent on your furniture, such as cheap colognes or Pine-Sol will keep the cats away. They can't tolerate it.

[pmbryant]

6. Put that way, the answer is simple

Is it better to get the cats and get them declawed
or
to not get them at all, which will probably mean 2 cats (the ones I would get or others) would presumably wind up being euthanized?

If that is the choice, please get them declawed.

I would never have one of my cats declawed these days, but when I was a kid, my parents had our cats declawed (on edit: only front claws removed). They all appeared to me to be happy and healthy cats who had very enjoyable (indoor) lives.

That certainly sounds preferable to premature death.

--Peter

[corarose]

7. Our bldg. required it before I could move in

I had no other choice because I live in a rent controlled high rise. I had to get both of my boys declawed.

[brainshrub]

8. Here's the best idea:

If you miss having cats around, simply stop flushing your toilet. In this way, you will experience the same smell of the critters w/o having to buy an actual cat.

I hate cats. My gf has FOUR of them.

[HERVEPA]

10. And 2 animals would die

that wouldn't if I got and declawed them.

[gWbush is Mabus]

17. bullshit

somebody else would adopt them.

"presumably" you haven't even been to the shelter yet.




If you really want cats, check the newspaper everyday for declawed cats that an owner doesn't want anymore.


ps- Would your wife mind if the declawed cats pissed all over your lovely couch?

[HERVEPA]

22. Not Bullsh*t

No kill shelers are no-kill because they will only take a certain number of cats.
Kill shelters kill cats that have been there too long and not adopted.
And I've been to the shelter with my son when he adopted two cats there.
(And didn't declaw them, of course).
Two cats would have died if he hadn't adopted two. That's pretty much how it works.

[Brotherjohn]

24. Wrong.

The "somebody else" who would adopt them would adopt 2 cats anyway. If HERVEPA doesn't adopt two cats, two cats die. Until there are more homes for cats than there are cats, that will be the case.

[radwriter0555]

27. That's a nice myth perpetuated by cat collectors actually.

Most cats, unless they're real nasty, unsocial, etc., are housed indefinitely with shelters.

Hey, can I rip out your fingernails?

[Brotherjohn]

You are living in a dream world if you think every shelter in America...

...keeps unwanted cats indefinitely.

Maybe many do, ones that are specifically set up to do so. And the ones that do naturally have to limit the number they keep. But many, many more do not. Thousands if not millions of cats are put to death each year in the United States.

If it means putting me to death or ripping out my fingernails, I choose option B.

[TexasMexican]

21. ugggh.

Declawing is cruel.

I would choose not to have cats if having cats meant I had to declaw them.

As for "they might be put to death" if you dont take them and declaw them. Well if you dont take them there is still a chance that someone would take them (the particular cats that you would have gotten) and not mutilate them.

That being said, while I know its not practical part of me wishes that we didnt have to round up stray animals. Let them all run lose and let nature take its course as best it can.

[curse10]

9. Don't get them

When you take on an animal you take them as they are. It is not our place to "fix" cats. I have two wonderful, fully clawed kitties that don't claw the furniture (except for my office chair, which I allow).

Animals are like babies- they make noise, they shit, they puke, and they pee on everything. You wouldn't declaw a baby just because it scratched- so it shouldn't be done to cats. It's a painful, horrible procedure that should never be done, in any circumnstances.

[DuctapeFatwa]

11. Neuter yes, declaw no.

You never know what could happen, tornado, war, etc. that could, without your cooperation or consent, hurl the fluffcats into the Big Room, where they would need their claws.

Neutering them is fine. They will still be able to enjoy sex.

[curse10]

37. Very good point

Both my cats are indoor cats and I never had any intention of letting them outside. However, my cat got out about a month ago. You never know when something is going to happen. He needs those claws to climb trees, kill food, and protect himself from would-be attackers.

[OldSoldier]

47. Chuckle...

Neutering them is fine. They will still be able to enjoy sex.

I had the Titty Boy snipped in April. He still enjoys sex. And he still goes into heat.

Anyone who wants their in-heat cat to go out of heat in a hurry, drop me a line.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

12. its not unethical to declaw them

any more than its unethical to keep them as "yours". They dont need their claws, because you have volunteered to be their keeper, and feed them and look after their needs. As long as you keep the food coming, they wont mind not having claws!

[radwriter0555]

32. Well you don't need your fingernails for anything, can we rip them out

up to the first knuckle?

[curse10]

41. You keep believing that

but I won't subject my cats to this

[radwriter0555]

48. Oh what's a few weeks or months of PAIN so long as the cats don't

touch the couch or chair, right?

Let's willingly subject a voiceless animal to torture and pain for a few weeks so we can keep it as a pet!

It's the AMERICAN way! Serve our OWN needs FIRST!

Selfish, selfish, cruel, and sickening! Thank GOODNESS for fine, FINE legislators like Assemblyman Paul Koretz of West Hollywood, California for sponsoring legislation to ban such sickening practices...

My goodness, if you people have to mutilate and torture an animal to 'keep it as a pet' then you really just shouldn't bother.

[bicentennial_baby]

60. Bullshit

and you better hope that cat never, and I mean NEVER, gets loose, because it has jack shit chances of defending itself.

[trotsky]

13. I must be a horrible animal abuser.

Every cat I've ever had, except for the outside ones we had when I was a kid, has been declawed.

I've only seen side effects one time, and that was just pain for a few weeks after the surgery. After that, he was back to his normal self. Every other declawed cat I've had has been just fine, able to run and jump and play with toys no problem.

Plus, now a lot of vets use lasers for declawing, which instantly cauterizes the wound and results in less potential nerve damage.

AS LONG AS YOUR CATS NEVER GO OUTSIDE, I think declawing is a perfectly humane and reasonable option.

[Heddi]

52. declawing is NOT humane

they don't just remove the claws, they remove the first joints of the cats fingers.

it's incredibly inhumane. if you don't want to deal with the 'reality' of cats (scratching, clawing, shedding, shitting), then don't get a cat

[trotsky]

64. And what exactly do cats use their "fingers" for?

You have no right to sit in judgement over whether or not I should have a pet on my terms. I daresay I've cleaned up more than my fair share of cat hair, cat puke, and cat shit so don't get all over me, please.

[Arugula Latte]

14. Wait! Isn't there a third way?

I'm sure there are lots of cats in shelters that are already declawed. Sometimes people have to move or whatever and just dump their pets. You might have to search a little harder, but I'm sure you can find two very nice kitties. That would save you from having the ethical dilemma.

[CO Liberal]

15. Get Nail Tips

They sell them at the Drs. Foster & Smith web site. They come in colors, and attack to kitty's claws with Super Glue. They save your furniture, and make it look like your cat has been to a salon.....

:-)

[curse10]

38. I've seen those!

But I've never seen a cat that would sit still long enough to get his nails done :-)

[CO Liberal]

42. It's a Two-Person Operation

I would hold the cat, and my wife would apply the tips.

From the Drs. Foster & Smith web site - http://www.drsfostersmith.com/



* Prevents damage from scratching
* Simple alternative to declawing
* Do not interfere with normal retraction of claws
* Kit includes nail caps for up to four complete applications

Apply directly to nails; will not interfere with normal claw extraction and retraction. Lasts about 4 to 6 weeks. Kit contains 40 nail caps, six applicators tips, two tubes of adhesive, and complete instructions.

[Kolesar]

16. Wrap her scratching block in sisal, not upholstery

(By "her", I mean your cat, not your wife) If you wrap the scratching block in sisal rope, she will not confuse it with furniture which is covered in upholstery.

I read this somewhere. I have a dog, and may be getting a used cat soon.

[Bridget Burke]

18. My 2 cats were declawed before I got them....

I would not have it done for frivolous reasons. However, they've had long, happy lives as indoor cats. They walk, run, climb, wrestle & "scratch" at furniture (without leaving marks). (They're also neutered, as well.)

Not that I'm recommending it, but--are there different methods for declawing? Some better than others? Mine only have the front claws removed--there's no reason at all to do the back ones.

Cats at the pound really do need rescuing. (It would be unkind of me to speculate whether wifie could be improved with some surgical intervention.)

[HERVEPA]

25. Concerning last question

That's another question for another day.

[Booberdawg]

19. I don't agree with anyone here that declawing is unethical

I have 2 cats and both were declawed as kittens. After a few days neither has it been painful for either of them nor has it made them mean. They were both fixed at 6 months too. They are both playful and and happy cats 10 - 11 years later.

The only regret I have is having both front and backs declawed. One year one of my cats got out when I had a house full over for Christmas and I was worried sick for a couple days because without back claws she would not be able to scale a tree to protect herself if need be. She did return safe and sound a few days later. Next time I would only have the front claws done.

on edit: yes, both are inside only cats. So is my faithful pooch. They make for interesting, well rounded live entertainment some days. :D

[Shakespeare]

26. yup, front claws ONLY

And keep them inside always. Unless your cats are working mousers, it's better for the cat's long-term health to keep them inside (declawed or not). :-)

[Booberdawg]

34. yes, inside kitties. spoiled so rotten they stink too.

:D

[Brotherjohn]

40. I agree with Booberdawg.

We have three cats, and two of them had, when they were much younger, severely scratched young children in our household, both times deeply and near the eyes.

We thought long and hard about declawing (I was initially against it). I am so glad we did it. The cats and the people in our household are much happier. The cats do not antagonize each other so much and there are far fewer fights.

No, "it's not natural" and yes, "it's painful". Domesticated cats are not natural. The astronomical reproduction rates of stray cats in America is not natural. The starvation and death that is the fate of most of these cats is neither natural or painless. And if we didn't declaw these cats, we would not have kept them, and three cats (them or three others) would have died.

I'm sorry, but I care more about the welfare of my children than even my own cats (and capping their claws is not foolproof). But I love cats as well, and given the situation with stray cats (every cat that does not have a home will be put to death), this is what I can do for them. They are also all fixed and indoor cats. Castration, BTW, is not natural and it is painful. But the benefits outweigh the costs.

[idontwantaname]

23. nail tips?!... what next? sweater vest?

yeah.
i think youre trying to walk a fine line of being kind and adopting a cat and being very unhumanitarian and declawing him/her/them.
the destruction of furniture sort of comes with the territory. some are better than others though.
theyll still shed fur and perhaps cough hairballs...

just love them like your kids and close the door to any room with your valuable antique expensive furniture...

[cally]

28. Adopt cats that have already been declawed

I adopted a 6 year old declawed cat. I wasn't looking for a declawed cat, she was just the sweetest cat at the shelter and I knew I could not leave without a new pet. I would never declaw my own pet and I do think she is more timid because of it, but she's my sweetie.

[catzies]

33. Me too! My Muffin was 6 and declawed as a kitten when I rescued her

n/t

[corarose]

29. Check this website out

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=2975&N=2002+113133&in_merch=1

[blueraven95]

30. I have to agree

that the best possible solution is to get cats from the pound who have already been declawed. Also, for your own piece of mind, check to see if the pound actually puts animals to sleep. Not all do.

[mmm]

31. Get two cats that have already been de-clawed, simple as that:

every shelter has tons of them.
NEVER de-claw a cat. NEVER.

[ProfessorGAC]

35. Get The Cats and Do What You Have To

That being said, we've had 6 cats (up to four at a time) since we've been married. We've had NONE of them declawed and none of them have ever been outside.

The result: Just a few small scratch marks in one couch and one old chair. No curtain damage, no wallpaper damage. They can be trained to not scratch, as natural as it is to them. I keep the claws trimmed (it's really easy and takes me 2 or 3 minutes per cat) and we've had minimal damage done by any cat we've ever had.

So, personally, i'd never declaw a kitty. I'd rather take the time to train them not to do the damage. But, you have to do what you have to do, and i'd rather see a declawed kitty than a euthanized one.
The Professor

[HERVEPA]

36. Thanks for all replies so far and

I would not get the rear ones declawed. And, I have checked the shelters and the websites that list the animals in the shelters, and very few are declawed.

[Zenaholic]

39. Cats with claws kill birds...

...and other wildlife. So if your going to get a cat (regardless of whether they are declawed or not) KEEP THEM INDOORS!

Cats are little killing machines.

[TexasMexican]

43. I disagree

not on the fact that they are killing machine, but on the fact that they should be kept indoors.

I think its cruel to keep them indoors where they will be bored all day.

My family has a cat and we usually let him out during the day. Yeah I suppose that puts him at risk aswell, but better that it has some freedom and enjoys life too rather than just being a decoration for my house.

[Shakespeare]

49. Cars, cat haters, feline leukemia, feline AIDS....

Shall I go on? It puts your cat at considerable risk to let him "run free" outside, and that's just BS that they're bored inside. There are many, many ways to entertain/occupy a cat without putting them outside.

The cat I grew up with was a victim of a cat hater, and when he miraculously survived his injuries (internal injuries, broken ribs, broken shoulder--beaten nearly to death) after some major surgical intervention, he became a strictly indoor cat from that point on. And every cat I've owned since then has been kept safely inside as well.

I was 8 when this happened, and will never forget the heartbreaking site of him literally dragging his small, broken body up onto our back porch. When you own a cat, you are responsible for its well being, and it's simply not wise--and incredibly irresponsible--to let it roam around outside unsupervised.

[TexasMexican]

55. Shakespeare

Shakespeare, go one all you want but I still think you are wrong.

Animals like people would prefer to have some freedom during part of the day rather than being cooped up 24/7.

Our cat enjoys going outside and he shows it. Most morning we let him out and he comes as goes as he pleases (when we come and go), then later in the afternoon/evening he comes back inside. Days we dont let him out he usually sits by a window and looks outside.

He enjoys being outside, and yes we understand that its more dangerous than just keeping him locked down all day, but its a risk we are willing to let him have for himself.

If something bad were to happen to him, well yeah it would be sad, but thats just life there are plenty of cats outhere looking for homes and he would eventually be replaced.

Better to have enjoyed a shorter life of more freedom than a longer boring life.

[Shakespeare]

56. "better to have enjoyed a shorter life of more freedom....."

In other words, you admit that you abdicate responsibility for your cat's health.

Your position is quite clear. That doesn't make it right, however.

[Brotherjohn]

58. So, what, "It's better to burn out, then to fade away?"

Hey hey, my my. It's a CAT, not a rock star. And a domesticated one at that.

YOU are the person and IT is the cat, and the fact of the matter is you're making the decisions for it, including to keep it domesticated (imprisoned?), for it's own good.

Most veterinarians recommend keeping cats strictly indoors, for their own good.

[tridim]

44. My pound kitty was declawed before I got her

She's perfectly happy and appears to enjoy kneading things sans-claws. It's also a blessing because it allows the dog and cat to play-fight without causing injury to the dog. Kitty absolutely loves punching my dog in the face. If she had claws I wouldn't let them play together at all. I guess the only drawback is that my dog doesn't understand that some cats do have claws and can kick her ass rather easily. :)

[Chovexani]

45. I have the same problem with my mom

Unfortunately it's fallen to me to take the little guy to the vet on Friday. :(

I really don't want to do it. The best I could do was talk her into leaving his back claws alone, so he wouldn't be left completely defenseless if he got outside (he's totally an indoor cat). Training and such (I used a water gun) didn't seem to do much good, and he is really destroying the house, so there's not really much choice.

I just wish I didn't have to be the one to take him in. I feel horrible. :(

[Meshuga]

50. Scratching posts help a bunch!

Don't declaw your kitty! Well, if you have to, do it, but scratching posts (even the cheap ones made of cardboard) work wonders!

Double sided tape on the furniture for a couple of weeks also works.

[Chovexani]

62. The appoinment's already been made

So not much I can do about it now. :(

Thanks for the tip about the double sided tape though. I wish I'd have known about it before. :(

[Meshuga]

46. Declawing a cat is mean. I did it to my old cat and...

It was a terrible experience. Declwing a cat is like taking away the human thumb.

I have two happy cats in my house now and they are both indoor cats with their claws.

There are some cardboard scratch posts that cats love so we keep the posts around the house near the furniture. It works for my cats. if the scratching posts don't work for you then get some double sided tape and tape it to the furniture they like to scratch.

Cats hate sticky stuff so they will stop scratching your furniture eventually.

[corarose]

51. CAT TIPS GUYS!

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=2975&N=2002+113133&in_merch=1

[LTR]

53. Stickypaws

I have 3 cats, all have claws intact. I also have a new living room set.

I tried several scratching and climbing posts. Worked somewhat. I bought some of that spray that's supposed to keep them away. Nada.

Then I found Stickypaws, which are sticky strips that resemble large pieces of double-sided tape. Just stick to the edges of you sofa or chair or whatever, and the cats, who dislike anything sticky, will avoid it. Worked well.

Here's the link:

www.stickypaws.com

You can find it at most pet stores.

Also, while you're there, get a scratch box. They are made with corrugated cardboard, and scented with catnip. Cost? A measly $5. And they love it. Imagine, spending $5 to save $1000-2000 worth of furniture? Gotta love it!

On edit: No, it won't destroy furniture. And it won't mess up any stain protection applications (Teflon, Scotchguard, MagiSeal, etc.).

[CanuckAmok]

54. we use "SoftPaws" glue-on claw caps.

They are great. It takes tow people to put them on, though--one to hold the cat, and one to clip the nails and glue the caps on.

Our cats don't mind them, they usually last a few months (they fall off when the cat sheds a layer of claw)), they're non-toxic, and they WORK!

They come in clear, purple, or pink. Our white cat gets pink "SoftPaws", for that designer look (ands so we can tell, at a glance, if they have fallen off).

Ask your vet about them.

[radwriter0555]

57. YES, here is their website. They WORK and you don't have to mutililate

your cat to enjoy its company. Go figure. A little work to maintain your companion animal!

http://www.softpaws.com/

[TEXASYANKEE]

59. I'm sorry your wife feels this way.

Did she have a bad experience with a cat at some point? I concur with those who have suggested that you adopt cats/kittens who are already declawed. If there aren't any available right now, simply wait a few weeks.

I have 5 cats and they are all fully clawed and indoor-only. The make very good use of the scratching posts (some prefer carpet, some prefer sisal) and are very good about letting me clip their nails. I might agree with those who have had to have their cats declawed due to behavior that couldn't be modified, but I would never condone knowingly declawing a cat before it even made its personality known to you. Please adopt a cat that is already declawed.

[bratcatinok]

61. My cats are

declawed. I've had declawed cats for years. They've been indoor cats and they manage to climb to the top of the curtains, kill mice and bugs and generally act like cats with claws. I just don't have torn up furniture or curtains. My cats also weren't traumatized by being declawed. They still use their scratching post to stretch their toes.

I had the declawing done at the same time I had them fixed. I've never had the back claws removed because those are the ones they use for defense.

[Arugula Latte]

63. I'll Bet DUers Can Find You 2 Declawed Kitties

Hervepa -- What town/geographical area are you in? I'll bet that amongst the thousands of DUers here, someone knows where you can get two declawed cats in your area. I think we can make it a DU project. Hervepa, if you're interested, please let us know your parameters (any age limits, longhair/shorthair, gender, etc.)and let us try to track down two kitties. It's worth a shot, no?

[radfringe]

65. did it once - won't do it again

yes, had a cat that was clawing up the furniture, tried scratching posts and all the other things. didn't work, and since the cat was afraid to go outside and was going to be an indoor cat, we had it done

cat came home sitting on his back haunches - it was several days before he would sit and put pressure on all 4 paws... killed me to see him limping around the house

a couple of months later, he scooted out the door and got hit

---------

I have another cat that is declawed, but I found him at work and he was already declawed and neutered...

[wysimdnwyg]

66. Wow, lots of responses on this one!

I've had many cats throughout my lifetime. Most were "outdoor" cats, only one has been completely an "indoor" one.

Of those that were outdoor some or all of the time, none were declawed. All died young. And all of them who were inside any at all tore up furniture.

The one I have now was declawed (front only) when he was ~6 months old. I was very upset when I took him in, and even moreso when I picked him up. He was so scared he fought to climb on my shoulders (still makes him feel safer when he's scared). When he got up there, the nurse (is that the right term at a vet's office?) noticed that one of his paws was bleeding. Scared the crap out of me. I felt bad for about 18 hours. That's how long it took him to shake off the first bandage after getting home. The other was gone less than a day later. He never had another problem, and I'm convinced it was the right thing to do. He's 13 now, and is as happy as ever.

The moral of the story? It's painful for both cat and servant/friend (no, we are not owners) in the short term, but I firmly believe it's in the best interest of both. And get it done as soon as the vet will allow it.

(Note: If the cat will be outside on a regular basis, it is imperative that he not be declawed. The back claws are OK for temporary escape if needed, but outside cats need all the help they can get.)

[Brotherjohn]

67. Agree 100%.

"wysimdnwyg"...

Lemme guess:
"What you see is most definitely not what you get"?

[wysimdnwyg]

68. Good guess!

I get asked a lot about the "mdn" part.

[TXlib]

69. Get an already-declawed kitten.

[boilerbabe]

70. Get the cats, but I can't say much, my furniture is fried!!!! n/t

[marigold20]

71. Can't do it

My new kittens will be spayed but not declawed. I just can't do it. They'll shred my furniture, just like my former cats, but they're worth it to me. I'll try training them to use a scratching post but my experience has not been good. My deceased cats would roll around on the cat scratching pad, eyes watering and getting high from the catnip, scratch the pad, then tear into the sofa cushions.

[TheZoo]

72. I can't even think of doing that to my kids

When we (actually it was me) were debating if we could should get the cats declawed, Marie said this: "Imagine getting your fingnails ripped off."

I have spent more money on scratch posts than I would if I got them declawed, and it's worth it.

[lynx rufus]

73. declaw a cat, go to hell

claws are needed for:
traction on the run
defense
scratching those furry hard to get at places
jumping
stretching - digging into the carpet and stretching
maintaining a sense of power
(what it's all about}
for Christ's sake DO NOT own cats if you are going to have them
declawed.

Buy a maggot instead. They don't jump on your furniture and
they don't cry. Cats cry.

[Myra]

74. Don't get cats if you're only going to mutilate them!

"Declawing," as it's euphemistically called,
is chopping off a big section of each toe.
Imagine having someone chopping off all of your
fingers and toes at the first knuckle, right above
the nails.

Declawed cats limp around on little stumps.
They can't even walk normally.
It's sickening.
It impacts their personality big time.
They know they're defenseless so they get
sort neurotic and crabby and withdrawn.
They stop being the fun sassy creatures they'd
otherwise be.

Don't get cats only to mutilate them.

I'm sorry if this isn't what you want to hear.
But thank you for caring enough about this issue to
solicit opinions and think seriously about it.

[City Lights]

75. Have you considred a tendonectomy?

We considered this procedure when bringing a clawed cat into our then three-declawed-cat household.

We didn't opt for this procedure, so I'm fuzzy on the details, but I believe it involves severing the portion of the tendon that allows a cat to extend its claws. The claws will still grow and will need to be trimmed.

One of the downsides to this procedure is that the cat can no longer knead. The cat we were introducing to the house was a kneader, so we decided to leave his claws alone.

If the cats you're considering are not kneaders, this may be a viable solution for you. I'm sure your vet can provide you with the specifics.

Good luck!

[politicat]

76. Better a live cat...but we have cats, and no issues. Here's how....

This is not as easy as declaw them once, never worry again, but it works quite well and is not the amputation that declawing is. As an aside, any cat with "mitten paws"(i.e. a thumb on the inside of the paw) cannot be declawed and all of our vets have refused to do so.

1) Scratching post, covered in low pile carpet. Figure 2 feet of vertical height per cat. BIG bases and sturdy will encourage your cats, small, unstable ones will just scare them. Take a box cutter to the carpet on the base, and somewhere else, exposing the wood base and the canvas backing in some places. Every cat has a different feeling about what is right for scratching.

2) Make sure the cats are attracted to it - catnip and positive encouragement. When Fuzzball scratches the post, we remind him that he's a mighty hunter and a vicious kitty (he doesn't want anyone to know he's a big softie).

3) Water guns. When kitty scratches something inappropriate, squirt with water. After a while, the click the water gun makes will be enough.

4) Trim claws. Once a week, sit down with kitty and trim claws. No cat likes it, but it's easier to trim claws than give pills! There are now available these soft, silicone "artifical nail" claw caps that go on with superglue and last about 4 weeks. I've tried them but it took sedating the most even tempered of my cats to get them on and she walked funny for two weeks. YMMV.

5) Cardboard scratching boxes. These are a semi0disposable thing from petsmart and similar - it's a box filled with tightly packed corregated cardboard. Cats seem to prefer it to furniture.

6) If you have had cats with this furniture, get it cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner before bringing new ones home. A lot of scratching issues are due to previous territory marking - cats have scent glands in their paws as well as in their faces and in their fluids.

7) Make use of foil, waxed paper and stickypaper. All three substances will keep kitties from using X item as a scratching post until they are trained where the right places to scratch are.

8) If it's a kid issue, declawing is actually a bad thing, as your child never learns how to play respectfully. My mother's cat taught me how to be nice and play nice before I was out of diapers. (And I adored Tinker... and never had a problem with her growing up.) However, other kids that have been around declawed cats don't learn that the hard way and the cats are frequently psycho when the kids are around, desperate to get away.

9)Look around.... assess your possessions and decide if it's worth worrying about. We have metal furniture (futon based - this is a very Japanese house in a lot of ways) and hard wood laminate floors. It's not really an easy scratch house. We have learned, over 10 years, that cats will scratch tightly stuffed fabric (like the seats on certain office type chairs) and soft wood (cheap baseboard and molding) by preference. If you're low on those, you're probably good. Curtains, we have not found to be an issue - I've damaged ours more by accidentally vaccuuming them up than by clawing. Cats won't scratch on unstable surfaces.

Ethically, I'd say a live cat with no claws that you are positive will never be outside (included in your will, even!! One of my cats was an orphan I got after her first owner was murdered) is far preferable to a euthanized one. It's not the best solution, but I really think you should give them a chance to prove themselves before you send them off to be declawed.

Best of luck and thanks for bringing one home!!

Politicat (Who has all twenty of her claws and looks after them without resorting to the carpet.)

[WWW]

77. Do you have kids?

My five cats and dogs never did as much damage to the house as my kids have. Busted sheetrock, broken windows, broken lamps, stains on everything, torn and broken furniture. And the kicker is they never did it out of meanness,just good-natured tussling and living. Life happpens. If you want a gorgeous house I wouldn't have either. Sadly, our house is a proverbial zoo, something is always in disrepair or down-right maimed, I think Martha Stewart would call it "Lived In." :)
Personally, I love my life and dilapidated furniture just the way it is.But I certainly respect others who work hard for what they have and want to have a nice looking home and take good care of what they have.
But if it comes down to a life lost, yes I would go with rescuing two kittens and declawing them.