Thread: declaw or not declaw?

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.

Originally Posted by brims

Declawing Cats Alternatives, Problems, Pros and Cons
Declawing Cats: Far Worse Than a Manicure : The Humane Society of the United States
What You Need To Know About Declawing - Declawing.com
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,
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!