considering declawing my cats -- Montgomery County

[Anonymous]

They laser the nail off now. Supposedly not as traumatic. My kitten adjusted fine. Had a friend who volunteered at humane society, she had no problem with it.

[Anonymous]

Good luck finding a vet who will do it.

I searched all over in VA and couldn’t find one closer than around 65 miles away in southern VA.

I’ve always had cats and had zero issues until this one rescue. Ended up rehomong as a barn cat and I still get updates. He much happier living in a barn and clawing the crap out of everything there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. None of those suggestions work, I have had one of the cats for 4 years and one for 2.5 years. They do not calm down when you play with the paws. I know all the tricks and alternatives; its not like I have never had a cat before.

Several of my friends have cats who are declawed and they do not bite, nor exhibit any kind of anti-social behavior. Our cats were declawed when i was growing up.

I would not be doing this if it were not necessary.

I will just start calling various vet practices.

Why would you play which the paws?
Do your cats attached you unprovoked, or scratch you when you initiate "play/pet time"?
Ive had quite agressive cat that didn't like to be hold/petted. Never occurred to me to declaw him. We just played laser tag, and petted him if he came to us. He was an independent soul, he used claws to protect his independence.

[Anonymous]

For adult cats, declawing will be very painful and traumatic. Honestly, it would be better to euthanize them.

OP, you are a terrible person.

[Anonymous]

Why do you keep these cats? Life is too short OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For adult cats, declawing will be very painful and traumatic. Honestly, it would be better to euthanize them.

OP, you are a terrible person.

Often, the advice is that declawing is better than euthanasia. Your opinion is a minority one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For adult cats, declawing will be very painful and traumatic. Honestly, it would be better to euthanize them.

OP, you are a terrible person.

Often, the advice is that declawing is better than euthanasia. Your opinion is a minority one.

No, it isn't. I live in Europe, where civilized, enlightened humans have banned declawing. Yes, there are countries that actually ban declawing because it is essentially animal torture. Entire countries. "The advice" you mention is, what, a few web articles written by American vets and societies? That doesn't mean much.

OP is a terrible person.

[Anonymous]

Don't do it OP. I did it back in the late 80s to my cats because they were clawing at furniture. I had NO IDEA how invasive the surgery is. The cats were miserable for weeks after and for years still rested their front paws (they only declaw the front) wherever they good because they still felt pain. As you have discovered, most vets now won't do the surgery at all for this reason. Please read up on the surgery if you do find a vet who will do it. I really regretted it.

[Anonymous]

If you must do it, look for a vet who does the laser surgery - shorter recovery and less invasive. But of course it’s more costly.

[Anonymous]

I’ve wondered about this too. I won’t do it to my cat, but I worry about my future kids.
My cats only three and ADORABLE - is my everything. She’s not aggresive or mean, but doesn’t like being held or touched unless she’s in the mood. So, DH and I know how to play and pet her, but an unsuspecting child wouldn’t, and would probably get scratched.

Do I just keep them separated until the kids (mine, or visiting guests) learn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve wondered about this too. I won’t do it to my cat, but I worry about my future kids.
My cats only three and ADORABLE - is my everything. She’s not aggresive or mean, but doesn’t like being held or touched unless she’s in the mood. So, DH and I know how to play and pet her, but an unsuspecting child wouldn’t, and would probably get scratched.

Do I just keep them separated until the kids (mine, or visiting guests) learn?

You'll be surprised how well your cat can evade a clumsy toddler. No need to declaw the cat. Teach the kid to be respectful, they learn pretty fast if the pet is in the home all the time (plenty of reminders) and accept that a cat scratch can be both non-fatal and instructional.

[Anonymous]

Wow, OP. Don't you think there is a reason hardly any vets do this? It's because it's a terrible thing to do! How would you like to live without any of your fingertips? I mean, they'd do it under anethesia so no biggie, right? I'm sure you'd adapt

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve wondered about this too. I won’t do it to my cat, but I worry about my future kids.
My cats only three and ADORABLE - is my everything. She’s not aggresive or mean, but doesn’t like being held or touched unless she’s in the mood. So, DH and I know how to play and pet her, but an unsuspecting child wouldn’t, and would probably get scratched.

Do I just keep them separated until the kids (mine, or visiting guests) learn?

You'll be surprised how well your cat can evade a clumsy toddler. No need to declaw the cat. Teach the kid to be respectful, they learn pretty fast if the pet is in the home all the time (plenty of reminders) and accept that a cat scratch can be both non-fatal and instructional.

PP here that you’re quoting. Thanks. Yea, I won’t declaw, it just crossed my mind at one point but as time goes on I’m realizing that she really only scratches when playing, or when pissed off (I.e. when we try to pick her up, or when we have to cut her nails). Even then, she usually just growls.

She would never just randomly attack. But we’ve had guests over who have tried to pet her, even after I warned them that she’s hot and cold, and they’ve gotten batted at (luckily she kept her claws retracted) or even hissed at - but still, not an attack per say. More of a minor embarrassment.

We’re still learning. We’ve had her about a year and she’s three. The vet says she probably never ‘learned’ how to play when she was a kitten/ young cat and she’s been through the ringer (typical rescue animal) so her instincts and learned behavior come into play. All in all she’s a sweetie (sleeps with us, loves to be with us, purrs and kneads when she’s happy, misses us when we’re gone, etc etc).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. None of those suggestions work, I have had one of the cats for 4 years and one for 2.5 years. They do not calm down when you play with the paws. I know all the tricks and alternatives; its not like I have never had a cat before.

Several of my friends have cats who are declawed and they do not bite, nor exhibit any kind of anti-social behavior. Our cats were declawed when i was growing up.

I would not be doing this if it were not necessary.

I will just start calling various vet practices.

Do what you want but don't be surprised when your insecure aggressive cats become more insecure and aggressive.

+1,000! They will piss on your bed and poop in your shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. None of those suggestions work, I have had one of the cats for 4 years and one for 2.5 years. They do not calm down when you play with the paws. I know all the tricks and alternatives; its not like I have never had a cat before.

Several of my friends have cats who are declawed and they do not bite, nor exhibit any kind of anti-social behavior. Our cats were declawed when i was growing up.

I would not be doing this if it were not necessary.

I will just start calling various vet practices.

Do what you want but don't be surprised when your insecure aggressive cats become more insecure and aggressive.

+1,000! They will piss on your bed and poop in your shoes.

If the choice is getting clawed to bits, poop in shoes, or getting rid of them (rehoming, becoming outdoor cats, euthanasia), I'll pick option 3.

At some point, the question becomes, why even have these cats?