Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

we rescued my cat over 2 years ago. She had been attacked and was pretty beat up. It took her almost a year before she would come out from under our couch for anything but food and to use her box. Skiddish for her does not even cover it. We worked really hard and now she is able to cuddle up to us and even allows some occasional quality petting time. I adore her.

Here is my problem...like I said she is and will always be very skiddish...she does not allow anyone to pick her and will unfortunately hiss and swat at you at the drop of a dime.

I do not believe in declawing but we are going to have kids soon and I am worried about her hurting them. I WILL NEVER give up my cat...and if we were not going to have kids it would not be an issue cuz I can certainly handle a scratch here and there...but I am worried about kids in the mix. I already do not like her reaction to my nieces.

I have tried having the Dr. put soft paws on but before I know it she has chewed them off. I can not even clip her myself...my dr. has even told me not to bother because she is so tough. Which means I have to bring her to him often and they grow so fast.

So the point is I am considerring declawing (because she NEVER goes out) and would appreciate feedback from people who have had to make this difficult decision. Did your cat's seem to be in terrible pain? Did it alter your cat's personality? It has taken us so much work to get her this far and I worry that she will regress to hiding again for a year.

Sorry so long I just want everyone to understand my story before I get attacked. Thanks again.

Message edited 6/6/2007 5:37:34 PM.

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

Declawing is illegal in the UK. It is mutilation. I work with cat rescue groups and they will not let a cat be adopted if there is a mention of declaw and you need to sign a waiver that you won't declaw. I do not ever recommend it. I know you're coming on here hoping people will say it's OK, and I will not do that. You seem to really care for your kitty and I don’t want to come off as attacking you, so I am sorry for saying this.

Top 9 Reasons NOT to Declaw a Cat

1) Declawing is NOT Just Nail Trimming
Nor is declawing only the removal of a portion of a claw. Instead, it is the surgical amputation of the first joint of the cat's toes. Whether this procedure is accomplished with a scalpel, a guillotine-type cutter or a laser, it is major surgery, and not to be undertaken lightly.
2) Declawing Does Nothing to Benefit the Cat
You will sometimes hear the disclaimer, "It's better than putting him to sleep." This is a fallacious argument, and usually offered only to soothe the owner's conscience. Only the cat's owner can make the decision to kill her cat because of scratching problems. He or she can also make the decision to let him keep his toes. Unlike neutering, which does benefit the cat, both healthwise and behavioralwise, declawing simply does nothing positive for the cat.

3) Declawing Robs a Cat of His Chief Weapon of Defense
A typical counter-argument is, "My cat is indoors-only." Even indoor cats sometimes manage to escape. A declawed cat does not stand a chance against a large dog, a bigger cat, or a predator. Although he still has teeth, by the time he gets in close enough to bite, it may be too late.
4) Declawing is Painful Surgery
Think of it as 10 amputations (if only the front feet are declawed). Pain meds may help initially, but phantom pain may last for weeks or months, as nerve endings heal. Dr. Nicholas Dodman describes the pain following surgery: "Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain."
5) Declawing May Lead to Litter Box Problems
Declawed cats often associate the pain when digging in litter with the litter box itself, and will avoid it, choosing softer carpeting instead.
6) Declawing Sometimes Leads to Biting Problems
When cats lose their ability to give a quick warning scratch, they will often resort to their second line of defense: a good, hard bite. The cat's owner may sometimes find himself the victim, just when he thinks his cat is enjoying a petting session.
7) Cats Need the Exercise Their Claws and Toes Provide
Watch a cat stretch, whether horizontally on a carpet or vertically with a tall scratching post. He will grab the carpet or sisal with his claws, using the resistance to pull and stretch his muscles. Cats' claws actually play a large and positive role in their amazing muscle tone and agility.
8) Altered Gait May Lead to Later Joint Problems
Domestic cats are digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes. Walking with an altered gait because of the lack of the first digit of the toes can affect all the joints of the leg, resulting later in arthritis of the hip and other joints. Jean Hofve, DVM describes this joint deterioration more fully, in her article, "A Rational Look at Declawing."
9) Cats Need to Be Cats for Their Entire "Nine Lives"
Honestly, if a cat could speak human language, do you really think, given a choice, he'd say, "Sure thing. Cut off part of my toes?" His claws and toes are an integral part of making a cat a cat. Would you honestly want him to be anything less, especially since there are humane alternatives? It's your decision, but please take your cat's needs into serious consideration before making such a drastic and permanent choice.

ETA: Since people will do what they want to do, I want to add if you're going to do a declaw on a cat over 5 months of age, make sure you interview the vets. There is more than one way to declaw. The MOST painful and horrifying method is the 'guillotine' method that most vets do. It is the most damaging and hardest on the animal, but only takes the vet about 5 - 10 minutes. The other method of declawing is called blade excision. It does not fragment bone or harm the pads (which are critical for shock absorption). It is more expensive, and most people just don’t want to pay extra for vet care, so some vets don’t do it this way.

Message edited 6/6/2007 9:32:47 PM.

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

This seems like an extreme circumstance where declawing might be necessary. An abused cat is unpredicatable and with a baby around it could be a problem. Kudos on not looking to get rid of the cat. It seems like the alternative for this cat, the declawing, would be the best option in my opinion.

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

Although I would never do it, my mom had all of her cats declawed because they were fighting amongst themselves (she had nine cats). They were all fine and had no problems afterwards.
She just had the front claws done so they have their back claws for climbing and jumping. It just prevents them from scratching and clawing each other or a person.

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

I normally would not advocate declawing, however this seems to be an extreme circumstance, and of course a baby has to be safe.

My sister had rescued cats via her vet that were declawed later in life. The original owner did not discipline the cats at all and then when they got out of control they tried to declaw them, and eventually gave them up. Meanwhile they behave incredibly well for my sister. Anyway....they took longer to heal according to the vet, and were a little "peeved" for a few weeks after the surgery, but were eventually OK.

Have you spoken to your vet or another animal professional about other options? I know that the soft claws, although great for most animals, are not for every one. If your cat is chewing them off then this is obviously not an option for you. But I am wondering if there is something else that maybe is not as well-known as the soft claws?

Good Luck

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

Before actually witnessing the procedure of declawing, I would totally agree that this is something that should be done.

I worked as an assistant in a vet's office two summers ago p/t and I had to assist the vets in this procedure. I've experienced a lot of things in my life, but I've never seen something as barbaric as this. They actually cut into the cats paws and remove the nail along with a portion of the bone. There are sutures everywhere, and the cat is in excruciating pain afterwards. It's one of the most inhumane things I've ever seen done to an animal (besides witnessing a vet staple a dog's incision without giving it anesthesia - needless to say I quit right after seeing that).

I don't know what to tell you as far as advice goes. What I DO know is that I would personally exhaust ALL possibilities before even considering something as drastic as this. My SIL has the protective covers on her cats' nails - try using them or a better brand if you've already tried them.

Good luck.

Message edited 6/8/2007 9:35:33 PM.

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

Thanks everyone for all of your responses...I really appreciate it. I am going to try another type of soft claws on her and see if that works. I really do not want to do it I was just starting to feel like I had no choice....but after reading the responses especially your last post I think I need to try some other options again or else I would feel like I did not try hard enough. Thanks again.

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

I am very against declawing. I do sympathise with your problem. I was just wondering if maybe you could ask your vet if a kitty prozac might help?

I know giving the cat drugs isn't ideal, but if it helps calm her down a little bit? You can get transdermal drugs, they put it in a cream and all you have to do is spread a little on the inside of the ear. One of my cats was on it for a while and it is impossible to get a tablet down her. Different set of circumstances, she was stressed and kept peeing everywhere, the bath, sink, once on our bed and frequently on DH's slippers
Anyway it helped her calm down and now she doesn't do it anymore. I really wish I could help you

I clip my cats claws, Bolly who was on the Busparone is very tough to clip, I can't do it on my own now, but I could when she was on the meds.

Maybe discuss it with the vet and see what he says?

Please don't de-claw her

Re: Declawing ?? please do not flame me....

I agree with everyone, DONT declaw your cat. If you do decide to have kids one day you have no idea, your cat may just get a long, NOT every stray cat will scratch a baby.
My cat was a stray and was so sick, we found him and rescued him....and he is GREAt around the kids. In fact he really doesnt want anything to do with them.

I actually think it is cruel