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Ginger is 4 months and I have to decide whether or not to have her de-clawed (front only) when she is spayed. I hate when cats ruin my furniture, but the thought of her having her de-clawed is stressing me out big time! I would appreciate any input on this dilemma. Thank you =^..^=-
I have read nothing but bad things about declawing it really is quiet awful what it does to the cats there are alternatives to declawing to protect your furniture such as Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats I’ve heard really good things about them and they are pretty too :P you can get them from amazon.co.uk and other places
Sorry but I think if you can't face a bit of furniture being spoilt you don't have animals, I have had a new leather sofa scratched to pieces with the newest babe & her big brother running over it,but so what,I keep the nails clipped they are taught not to use it as a scratching post but the rest we just accept. We don't have to make that decision here but I know what mine would be,no animal should have to suffer that type of indignity plus they use their claws for play & climbing,even those that are kept indoors.Let her keep them....xxx
Oh believe me I have had my share of ruined furniture and I appreciate your view. My last cat lived to be 18 years and I loved him dearly, even after ruining furniture, carpet and clothes. I am questioning is there any validity to declawing, and does it really harm the cat? I have never had this done and I am looking for constructive advise. I take raising my kitten seriously and this will be for her entire life as well as probably mine. Thank you for the input, much appreciated.
I have seen the nail caps at the pet store, I wonder how they go about putting those on? It must be really exciting! My daughters cat Penny is a very scratchy cat and nothing stops her from doing it.
It depends what country you are in Donnad, I know in Ireland and I think the UK, Declawing is illegal and is classed as mutilation. Maybe just keep the tips clipped or filed down? Just my two cents, Good luck with finding a solution :)
I know I hate the thought of anyone cutting off my baby's toes. I am leaning towards not, No one has given me any advice to go ahead and do it. In the USA it is very common practice, I do not know many people who own cats, so this board is my way of talking to other cat owners. I thank you for your input.
Ah yes, I know a few people in the USA that have had their cats declawed. One has her cat both indoor and outdoor, and the amount of times she's nearly been eaten by a dog and come in with wounds from fights, but if they are indoors you shouldn't have a problems :)
Declawing Cats Alternatives, Problems, Pros and Cons
Declawing Cats: Far Worse Than a Manicure : The Humane Society of the United States
http://www.declawing.org/
There are many more sites that deal with declawing and alternatives.
The paw pads are apparently cut in half to remove the last joint of each toe. The pads are the part that the cat walks on, this changes the way they walk. From the things I've read, it also changes their behavior. For instance: they get declawed, then they try to use the litter box, it hurts when pawing at the sand/other material, they then associate the litter box with bad things and no longer use it. One of many behavioral changes I've read about.
Brims,Quote:
Originally Posted by brims
Thank you this information was so helpful, of course I don't want to hurt my kitty. I think the soft caps look like the way to go. I appreciate you taking the time to send this information and not be so quick to judge. Thank you so much!
awch! awch! awch! not declaw! not declaw! :AddEmoticons0091:
Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats It looks pretty easy just catch them while they are relaxed put some glue in then pop them on the apparently last for a couple of months. When i get Chiyo i'm just going to try and keep her claws trimmed and teach her what she can and can't scratch but this is a great plan B if nothing seems to be working outQuote:
Originally Posted by donnad
Mutilation for the sake of a bit of furniture??? I think you have answered your own question ..... It's illegal here in the UK and still shocks me that it seems to be an option in such a civilised society! Please, please don't go down that road or you might end up with a very stressed, unhappy cat with all sorts of unknown problems!
Thank you for your input, I have done some additional research and have decided against declawing. I agree there is no reason to mutilate my perfect little kitten. I am going to try the softnails, they look easy to use and the colors are pretty! Thank you for your input.Quote:
Originally Posted by oliviarussian
Yes the MC attacks my chair (only) and it did cost a lot of money but declawing him never: he likes the trees outside.
Neutering OK but this a step too far for me.
We live in the city and outside is not an option for Miss Ginger, too many hazards out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by deovolens
I think a lot of people don't know exactly what's involved - I think it is good to ask the question - we usually think that it's like nails, without nails you would not look pretty and it may be a bit impractical for scratching your ear, but once they are removed, cleanly, under the right conditions you kind of know you wouldn't suffer and never have to have a manicure - bonus! Though I never tried.Quote:
Originally Posted by oliviarussian
Of course claws aren't the same, but people don't know that. Can't know everything. If you don't know, it's good to ask.
One of my relatives in the US did it, had her cat declawed. I haven't had the heart to tell her what she's done yet, because... well it's done, and she is sure she's done the right thing... she has a really good heart and as far as she's concerned she did her cat a service (some quack convinced her the cat would be less prone to infections - sigh...)
Well done Donnad for deciding not to put Miss Ginger through the other nasty indignity,over here it is illegal but even before it wasn't odd people would ask the vet if he would declaw but it was always a resounding no unless on medical grounds & sometimes that does have to happen but normally only one & at worst two nails & as Alekto says a lot of people don't realise the whole implications of what has to be done,it is the same with tail docking of dogs,also "mostly" illegal over here although more seem to be slipping through the net again,l am lucky with that too because ever since this boss took over we have been a non docking practice,doesn't mean we don't see the dogs which some people thought we just don't do it but when I first started working for the other vet I was involved with docking of one litter & I asked never to have to be there again & he did allow that it was against my better feelings seeing pups "mutilated",again I don't think a lot of the pet buyers even gave a thought to how that part of the anatomy was lost to the animal.
Good luck Miss Ginger when you go to have your op & just think mum will be worrying a lot more than you as no doubt you will be getting lots of cuddles from the nurses....that's one thing I am going to miss a lot when I leave all the extra furry cuddles I can pinch....xxxx
Yes, I am afraid your right about that, I will be worried like crazy. I can not stand to watch her get her shots, she was so sore last month when she did. I hate the thought of taking her back for the booster and her rabies shot, even though I know it is for the best. It is very sad to hear about puppies getting their tails docked. Someone in the AKC or whatever needs to bring a stop to unnecessary mutilation. Miss Ginger gets her share of cuddles at the vet and I love how much they care about the animals, she gets better treatment than I do at the doctors office :) Thank you for your input!Quote:
Originally Posted by jckkerrison
Just wanted to say that it's important to give an indoor cat alternatives to scratching the furniture. It feels good to scratch, and they like to mark their scent through scratching. I've read that it's good to have a scratching post near where the cat sleeps, since they like to have a stretch and a scratch upon awakening. We have a couple scratching posts in the house, and haven't had any problems, thankfully. In the first few months, whenever Ollie started to claw the furniture, I'd tell him "no", then go and run my nails along the post, and he'd switch. Good luck!
Ginger has a 7 foot cat tower with plenty of scratching places, she loves to sleep in the nest on top. She is not scratching now but she is a baby and loves to scratch and bite me in play, although she never bites the hubby! I just trimmed her nails in the front, they are so tiny! Thank you for the advice, can not have too many scratching posts.Quote:
Originally Posted by inexcelsis
pff Neevie never uses the "official" ones - it doesn't make her feel naughty enough, you know, like in the Malteaser add - apparently, official scratching posts are only for scaredycats...
when she scratches the sofa she looks at me and could I swear I can hear her blow raspberries at me.... it's like "ner-ner-nerner-ner! I'm doing it and I ain't afraid of you and catch me if you can! Mouahahaha!" you know, tail up, triangle face, whiskers in front.... sigh...
on the bright side, those sofas are so old, and they were given to us when we got Neevie JUST for this kind of occurences... Doesn't even hurt! (but don't tell her that, it makes her too happy)
Hi donnad! Garry. Don't think I've read it here but just in case, it's really important for a cat to be able to grip with front paws. This helps in the stretching of the leg and back muscles. Pretty important for an animal. Hey...I was once a perfectionist, the demon is still around... but my boys and girls are more important than my perfect house.
Ginger went to the vet for shots yesterday and I told the vet I was not having her declawed after all and she gave me a hug and said I made the right decision for my baby. How sweet was that? Thank you for the input! :rofl:Quote:
Originally Posted by ManCoon
That was a sweet gesture. You made the best decision. Like everyone said, just make sure you have a lot of scratching posts. DH wasn't happy when I brought home 4 towers in different shapes & sizes. Plus I also have a few scratching pads that lay flat on the floor as Whiskey loves to have a good fully body stretch. He also uses the throw mats in front of our doors. We don't mind as their cheaper to replace then wall-to-wall carpet.Quote:
Originally Posted by donnad
Attachment 6788
Who says a redhead can't rock pink? So far she is ok with them we had a few climbing mishaps, but she doesn't seem to mind them too much!
oh I love it! might get some too, not sure what color....
Oh bless,sparkly ones next......
It proves though doesn't it that if she lost her front claws altogether it would taken away the ability to climb & what does a cat do best...... this way there will be a time when she will learn to sheath her claws for the important times & not need anything. I have always found they learn pretty quickly,all the damage to my furniture has been done in the first few months of being a scatty kitty & flying around,none of them have ever actually used it as a scratching post,if they looked as if that was their intention a firm no has worked pretty quickly or in the case of having the two together so eyes in backside was needed the water sprayer soon put them on the right track....
OMGosh! They have sparkly ones! Ginger is doing much better today, she acts like nothing is on her feet and she is back on my lap purring, no grudges today. I don't know that I will keep these on long term, I may not need them. But my daughter's cat, Penny definitely does! Attachment 6789 her couch is just shredded. I had a tabby/mc mix her name was Sheena and I also had a Cockatiel, when she was a kitten I used the spray bottle to try and keep her away form the bird cage, she got so she did not care if she got wet or not! She liked to sleep on the top of Daisey's cage, so much for water! HahaQuote:
Originally Posted by jckkerrison
does Penny look grumpy because she's jealous of Ginger's nice paweecure? or because she's ran out of places to scratch that couch on?
Penny is just that kind a girl, she definitely has a cattitude! Penny is the queen of her domain!Quote:
Originally Posted by Alekto
Quote:
Originally Posted by donnad
Noooo...
MC Elvis doesn't scratch the furniture, he scratches me, and I have
the scars to prove it, but I'd never permanently mutilate him for being a cat.
I keep his front claws trimmed and blunt now that I finally got tired of bleeding.
He doesn't particularly like the procedure, but he gets over it. It's not that difficult
to do with a bit of practice.
A bright light and sharp nail clippers are all that's necessary, really.
It would have been much better to start when he was younger.
Edit: Finally read the entire thread :rofl: good choice...
Just a quick update! I have just applied another set of soft nails to Miss Ginger, she is running around like a crazy monster. It takes a few minutes for her to get used to the soft nails but she forgets about them quickly! I feel bad for her when she takes that first trip up the cat tree and she can not hang on with her front feet. I do not put them on her back feet, she needs some nails for climbing. The soft nails last about three weeks and they eventually all grow off. She is such a patient little girl while daddy and I apply them. I guess it beats cutting her toes off.
