Declawing cats

I never realized how painful that process was! Now I feel really bad because if I remember correctly our beloved cat Audra was declawed at some point. I don't remember her acting at all like she was in pain though and we had her for 18 years. She's been gone now for over 25 years. We had cats before but that was when I lived at home over 50 years ago, so don't remember if my mother had them declawed. I'd love to get a kitten but won't because when I'm ready to go, I want to be able to just go and not have to worry about a pet. But if I ever do get another one, I definitely wouldn't want to have it declawed. I've found, however, that some cats prefer furniture to scratching posts. 😖
 

OneEyedDiva said:
I never realized how painful that process was! Now I feel really bad because if I remember correctly our beloved cat Audra was declawed at some point. I don't remember her acting at all like she was in pain though and we had her for 18 years. She's been gone now for over 25 years. We had cats before but that was when I lived at home over 50 years ago, so don't remember if my mother had them declawed. I'd love to get a kitten but won't because when I'm ready to go, I want to be able to just go and not have to worry about a pet. But if I ever do get another one, I definitely wouldn't want to have it declawed. I've found, however, that some cats prefer furniture to scratching posts. 😖
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You are not alone. Most people I would guess do not realize exactly what is involved and why their cats have problems after. Many times, the problems reveal themselves through behavior issues so you might not guess they are in pain. But Mia Angelou said "when you know better, do better" What we can do is bring awareness to this practice and support legislation to have it banned. Right now in CA there is a bill to outlaw the procedure completely in the state. It must be approved in both houses and hopefully it will, then it can be sent to the Governor for signature. If that passes hopefully other states will follow. If you live in CA write a letter in support of the bill, call your representatives. Make your voice heard.

If you live in CA you can help
California Residents: Support a Bill to Ban Declawing (p2a.co)
 
We adopted a 5 year old cat, she was a big girl with big claws. We were a bit worried about her clawing the furniture so I knew she was crazy about her treats. So the first time she clawed the cat post I put treats on top of the scratching post. She inhaled the treats and watching me she scratched again, more treats, she almost scratched her paws off that day. Then little by little we cut down on the treats. She never scratched the furniture.
 

Never even considered declawing a cat.
Murrmurr said:
Not that I advocate declawing, but they don't give your cat something for pain while they recover from a spay or neuter
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That is different, while it may not be the most humane thing for the individual cat (would not want it done to me) in the long run it prevents a lot of unwanted kittens that often come to bad ends...

Hard to get cats to use condoms.
 
mrstime said:
We adopted a 5 year old cat, she was a big girl with big claws. We were a bit worried about her clawing the furniture so I knew she was crazy about her treats. So the first time she clawed the cat post I put treats on top of the scratching post. She inhaled the treats and watching me she scratched again, more treats, she almost scratched her paws off that day. Then little by little we cut down on the treats. She never scratched the furniture.
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Great idea and one of the suggestions I offer in the article I wrote about declawing.
 
No, absolutely not ever!!!!! :mad: Cat claws are beautiful. Even if my couch isn't.

I know some people don't think you should spay or neuter an animal either. I know they are on the fringe and I vehemently disagree.
 
Why do humans have such an urgent need to re-create their pets? Not just the declawing, but ear and tail amputations as well. NONE of it is necessary, nor does any of it do the animal any good at all.. Its cruel and selfish, and people should be ashamed of themselves. No, I have no problem with spay and neuter when done humanely, and yes, sometimes it isn't.
 
Blessed said:
I am a dog person as I am allergic to cats. I love cats, it is difficult when I encounter one. I want so much to pick them up, kiss them, pet them. It is so bad that if I go to a home that has cats I can't stay. I can't breathe, the eyes get red and itch. I just want cat owners to know it is not that we don't love cats, that we can't be around them or their dander in the home. I always feel awful when I have to excuse myself. So often the look on their face makes me feel that I don't like their pet. That is not the case!
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Have you tried taking antihistamines before you visit a home with a cat/s? I found that helped me, to the point that I was able to cat-sit for a weekend. It was an enjoyable remembrance, as he was such a beautiful boy in every way (Siamese).
 
Pinky said:
Have you tried taking antihistamines before you visit a home with a cat/s? I found that helped me, to the point that I was able to cat-sit for a weekend. It was an enjoyable remembrance, as he was such a beautiful boy in every way (Siamese).
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Does not work for me. I took some kind of shot as a child for allergies. I was able to have a cat at that point. After cat passed, I did not get another, don't think my folks liked having a cat in the house. Siamese a most beautiful cat, I think my cat was a Himalayan.
 
First of all, our cats are our children.

Until we found out about the supposed horrible effects of de-clawing, we always had our cats de-clawed. We now have two adult male cats that are both de-clawed because their original owners had it done before they passed away. We adopted them that way.

The foster for one of our cats said it may cause arthritis, but honestly we have never seen any negative affects in our previously de-clawed cats. They have lived to be at least 18 years old and we have never seen them show any signs of pain or discomfort or any difficulty walking.

I wouldn't get any future cats de-clawed, but we haven't seen any negative effects.
 
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oldaunt said:
Why do humans have such an urgent need to re-create their pets? Not just the declawing, but ear and tail amputations as well. NONE of it is necessary, nor does any of it do the animal any good at all.. Its cruel and selfish, and people should be ashamed of themselves. No, I have no problem with spay and neuter when done humanely, and yes, sometimes it isn't.
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There was a local vet who actually said my cat should have a "lion cut"- you know, leaving no fur on except little booties and fringe... in my opinion, it's unnatural and cruel unless the cat has some kind of skin disorder where removing fur would be a healthy approach, but that wasn't the case.. not surprisingly, I learned the vet also provided 'grooming services'... :mad:
 
oldaunt said:
Why do humans have such an urgent need to re-create their pets? Not just the declawing, but ear and tail amputations as well. NONE of it is necessary, nor does any of it do the animal any good at all.. Its cruel and selfish, and people should be ashamed of themselves. No, I have no problem with spay and neuter when done humanely, and yes, sometimes it isn't.
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When I got my two girls spayed they recommended pain medication. I actually didn't want them to have it but agreed. Didn't want to be viewed as heartless. We had many cats spayed and neutered over the years and they all reacted differently. Some were really down for a day or two. Some acted like nothing happened. I didn't want my girls feeling too good which was why I really didn't want the pain medication. And I was right. They were too active. Jumping on the counters. My calico even had to go right back in the next day because she almost had her sutures out. But in the end, they healed fine.
 
Remy said:
When I got my two girls spayed they recommended pain medication. I actually didn't want them to have it but agreed. Didn't want to be viewed as heartless. We had many cats spayed and neutered over the years and they all reacted differently. Some were really down for a day or two. Some acted like nothing happened. I didn't want my girls feeling too good which was why I really didn't want the pain medication. And I was right. They were too active. Jumping on the counters. My calico even had to go right back in the next day because she almost had her sutures out. But in the end, they healed fine.
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I was referring to those who will use a razorblade to neuter male cats and dogs with no anesthesia.....yes, it happens. People are cheap.
 
Some idiots also have a veterinarian surgically remove a deadly snake's venom glands and fangs so they can make a pet out of it. You can see how happy it made this King Cobra by his constant hissing: (what a shame the snake cannot "take care" of the vet & this nutcase.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venomoid
 
Remy said:
I've heard of horrors like this.
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It also happens all the time in slaughterhouses.
The employee just uses scissors or a small pocket knife - no anesthesia, which would increase costs. (I won't post a link, but you can google it - if you're able to watch. And listen.)
 
win231 said:
It also happens all the time in slaughterhouses.
The employee just uses scissors or a small pocket knife - no anesthesia, which would increase costs. (I won't post a link, but you can google it - if you're able to watch. And listen.)
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If people know what actually happened in slaughterhouses no one would eat meat. There are humane ways to raise farm animals and until people speak out and demand that happens it will never change. It is absolute torture what some animals go through.
 
Pets are essentially prisoners in our home. And many people treat them like disposable playthings instead of living, feeling beings that deserve just as much respect and love as we do.
 

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