NationStates Jolt Archive

since there seem to be quite a few petowners on this board, do you have any experience with onychectomy (declawing) of cats?

since there seem to be quite a few petowners on this board, do you have any experience with onychectomy (declawing) of cats?

My Grandma was involved with a cattery, and I grew up with cats :) Declawing them is tantamount to animal abuse! They _need_ them, it's appallingly cruel to do that to them; they can't run as fast, climb as well, hunt, or defend themselves outsite the home - they can't 'be a cat'! :p

I've every sympathy with ruined carpets and sides of sofas, but there are other measures you can take: scratching posts with a smell the cat likes (often an old sweaty tshirt, weirdly!) on/near it, if possible keep the cat out of the room by shutting the door (unless they've worked out how to open your doorknobs :D) when you leave it unattended, I think there's some cat repellent odour in a spray can you can get (odourless to us, but not the cat!) but it's not 100% effective.

If cat's a fankle, and claws people, it's a more difficult problem; usually it's a matter of not pissing the cat off, and s/he'll be fine - you just have to work out what it is that the cat's narked off about. But they don't attack for no reason. It is harder if there are young children about the place; they just have to be told to play gently with the cat, and leave it be if it's in a mood.

Finally, remember you invited in/bought the cat into your home; you knew it had claws!

since there seem to be quite a few petowners on this board, do you have any experience with onychectomy (declawing) of cats?
I use to have three cats which I "inherited" from my grandchildren. Two of them were brothers, both white, and great lil guys. Unfortunately, they were determined to go outside at every opportunity; not a good idea since both had been declawed. The same dog killed them both at different times. :(

I think its terrible that anyone would even consider doing that to their cats. We have two cats, and one is pretty wild, but we could never declaw him.

I think its definitely animal abuse.

Yeah, just don't have a cat if you can't accept them as they are.
Or take a robotic one, sony has a cute cat-variant of the aibo, I think..

If you don't want to be clawed by a cat, there are two things to do:

1) Get out of the way when the tail starts wagging.
2) Get faster reactions.

Removing its claws isn't a good option.

since there seem to be quite a few petowners on this board, do you have any experience with onychectomy (declawing) of cats?

If our government reintroduced the death penalty, Declaying a Cat would be death by necrotising bacteria.

if you want a cat but don't want the claws... Then you don't want a cat get a furry hot water bottle cover instead, as to ruined furniture and minor injuries, that is just the price you pay for being the pet of a superior animal.

I'm surprised you can find a vet willing to do the operation. Any vet worth their salt would refuse. It's not just a matter of clipping their nails - it's ripping the whole claw root out. Be kinda like someone tearing your nails out completely and permanently.

I use to have three cats which I "inherited" from my grandchildren. Two of them were brothers, both white, and great lil guys. Unfortunately, they were determined to go outside at every opportunity; not a good idea since both had been declawed. The same dog killed them both at different times. :(where there any problems with the healing process? how long did it take? at what age where they onyechectomized?

what's a "cattery"?

Under no circumstances should you ever, ever have a cat's claws removed.

DO NOT have this procedure done.

It is cruel, it is painful, it is potentially deadly.

You can keep a cat's claws trimmed if you start it as a kitten getting used to the idea. The occasional snip of a sharp point is painless and is part of being a cat owner.

Cat scratches your kids? Well, that'll teach them not to pull its tail.

Cat claws your furniture? Well, that living creature is more important than your couch.

If you don't want a whole pet, don't get one at all.

Some reading:

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/declawing.html
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
http://www.declawing.com/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/declawing_cats_more_than_just_a_manicure/

Warning: Some links within sites have very graphic pictures of the procedure.

what's a "cattery"?
A place where you can leave your cat when you go on holiday.
This might help you:
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=cattery

Since the OP unfortunately doesn't seem to respond to the "Don't do it, it's cruel!" pleas, I've taken the liberty to copy&paste one paragraph from Keruvalia's first link above - maybe this will have more of an impact:

Cat Owners who elect to have their paws declawed generally do so with the belief that they will never have to deal with fabric damage due to destructive scratching problems. However, paw sensitivity resulting from the declaw operation may result in litterbox avoidance and urine-soaked furnishings or carpeting. (bold mine)

See? Nothing to gain in the furnishings department either.

where there any problems with the healing process? how long did it take? at what age where they onyechectomized?
One of them was already declawed when we got him, so I don't know the answers for him. The other one my wife had declawed because he had a bad habit of attacking the furniture. He was about a year old when we had it done, it took him about two weeks to heal, and there were no problems with the healing process. I still deeply regret having it done. :(

I am actually wincing and pouting at this barbaric practise, you may as well rip out their teeth and dock the tails, and then breed them as drawf cats so they are kittens, and deaden the nervous system so that they are docile for spoiled brats to dress them up in clothes and push them round like dollies (Damn you fekking american cat breeders assoc for endorsing those breeders that would turn an animal into a living teddy bear... Grrrr)

thanks, Eutrusca, from what i have read 9months-1year seems to be the best age for the procedure. i was thinking about having it done in one go with the neutering, which should at the latest be done at 9months.

thanks, Eutrusca, from what i have read 9months-1year seems to be the best age for the procedure. i was thinking about having it done in one go with the neutering, which should at the latest be done at 9months.

What's your actual reason for getting this procedure done, may I ask?

Incidently, it's bad manners to ask for opinions and then ignore them.

thanks, Eutrusca, from what i have read 9months-1year seems to be the best age for the procedure. i was thinking about having it done in one go with the neutering, which should at the latest be done at 9months.
Surely after a year all the furniature that'll be destroyed is destroyed, rendering the operation pointless? After that long cats tend to start calming down a bit, anyway, and if you tell them off for clawing certain things they'll eventually start to prefer the things that they don't get shouted at for scratching. Buy them a scratching post, problem solved.

If you're worried about being clawed yourself - don't be. it doesn't bleed much, hurt much, or take long to heal.

thanks, Eutrusca, from what i have read 9months-1year seems to be the best age for the procedure. i was thinking about having it done in one go with the neutering, which should at the latest be done at 9months.

Are there actually vets out there who actually do this???

Please provide a name...

since there seem to be quite a few petowners on this board, do you have any experience with onychectomy (declawing) of cats?

This is worth my "spammy" Sig:

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y180/MrMisanthrope/trashcat.jpg

thanks, Eutrusca, from what i have read 9months-1year seems to be the best age for the procedure. i was thinking about having it done in one go with the neutering, which should at the latest be done at 9months.

You know, once you're at it, have your own fingernails removed as well. :mad:

http://www.catscratching.com/
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/manage_claws.htm

or just do a search on nearly any cat owners site or forum re declawing,

or "how to stop my cat clawing furniture" in your favourite search engine

Buy a small water pistol or plant sprayer every time your cat goes to claw the furniture give it a squirt. By a scratching post (horizontal and vertical most cats will only scratch in one direction)

I don't know of a single vet that will do the op, and may even be classed as animal cruelty (is in my opinion)

My parents declawed both our cats. I don't think I would if I had my own cat as it is cruel in my opinion. I'd just have to trim their nails frequently enough from when they're little so they're used to it and don't freak out when they're older.

http://www.catscratching.com/
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/manage_claws.htm

or just do a search on nearly any cat owners site or forum re declawing,

or "how to stop my cat clawing furniture" in your favourite search engine

Buy a small water pistol or plant sprayer every time your cat goes to claw the furniture give it a squirt. By a scratching post (horizontal and vertical most cats will only scratch in one direction)

I don't know of a single vet that will do the op, and may even be classed as animal cruelty (is in my opinion)

I know for a fact that doing that in Germany could land a vet in prison....

You know, once you're at it, have your own fingernails removed as well. :mad:
Isn't it actually analogous to having your fingertips amputated?

I know for a fact that doing that in Germany could land a vet in prison....
Yep.
Isn't it actually analogous to having your fingertips amputated?
And yep.

http://www.catscratching.com/
http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/manage_claws.htm

or just do a search on nearly any cat owners site or forum re declawing,

or "how to stop my cat clawing furniture" in your favourite search engine

Buy a small water pistol or plant sprayer every time your cat goes to claw the furniture give it a squirt. By a scratching post (horizontal and vertical most cats will only scratch in one direction)

I don't know of a single vet that will do the op, and may even be classed as animal cruelty (is in my opinion)


Lot of helpful links here :)

Kossackja, if you feel you need to mess about with your animal to this extent, have you thought about getting a different pet? I don't think you should keep a pet like this, or do to it what you're proposing to do...

My parents declawed both our cats.what age where they, how did the healing process go?

what age where they, how did the healing process go?

Your careful ignoring of opinions means I've got no guilt in interrupting you;

_please_ don't have the poor beast declawed. It needs those claws. If it's inconvenient in some way for you, I suggest you either put up with it or get a different pet; or better yet, don't get a pet at all. Despite all the posts here you seem determined to mutilate your animal, and I don't think you should be trusted with a pet. :(

Elgesh']Your careful ignoring of opinions means I've got no guilt in interrupting you;

_please_ don't have the poor beast declawed. It needs those claws. If it's inconvenient in some way for you, I suggest you either put up with it or get a different pet; or better yet, don't get a pet at all. Despite all the posts here you seem determined to mutilate your animal, and I don't think you should be trusted with a pet. :(

Oh, noes! This person wants to do something cruel to a cute animal? How dare (s)he?!

*munches down on cow brutally slaughtered, but what does he care, when he can get so upset about some cat*

Oh, noes! This person wants to do something cruel to a cute animal? How dare (s)he?!

*munches down on cow brutally slaughtered, but what does he care, when he can get so upset about some cat*

Did you declaw the cow? At what age and how did the healing process go?

what age where they, how did the healing process go?
They got it done at the same time they were spayed (around 6 months). They spent like two days at the vets with little booties on their feet and came home and seem fine. When they came home they were more iffy about having their bellies rubbed than their paws touched. Their healing process seemed to go faster than when my dog needed its dew-claws removed (they should have been taken off when he was really small, apparantly)

Oh, noes! This person wants to do something cruel to a cute animal? How dare (s)he?!

*munches down on cow brutally slaughtered, but what does he care, when he can get so upset about some cat*

There's no excuse for animal mutilation when it's just for convenience, as this appears to be.

Did you declaw the cow? At what age and how did the healing process go?

I just let it bleed to death, slowly, or jam something through its brain. You know, the healing process doesn't tend to go too well.

But, really, poor cats. They for some reason deserve compassion more, because they're cute and cuddly. Those cruel, cruel people. *has another hamburger*

my mother in law had her cat declawed, didnt seem to bother it any. didnt stop it from catching birds.

id never do it to my own cat. if you dont like a cat's natural behavior and dont have the time or willingness to train her not to scratch the furniture then dont get a cat. its kind of odd to want a cat but not have it behave like a cat.

Elgesh']There's no excuse for animal mutilation when it's just for convenience, as this appears to be.

Because this convenience is so much different from the convenience in remaining a lazy carnivore.

I just let it bleed to death, slowly, or jam something through its brain. You know, the healing process doesn't tend to go too well.

But, really, poor cats. They for some reason deserve compassion more, because they're cute and cuddly. Those cruel, cruel people. *has another hamburger*

They don't deserver more nor less compassion. But when was the last time a MacDonalds representative asked you how you wanted him to keep the cows, and what you thought was the best method of killing it?

Because this convenience is so much different from the convenience in remaining a lazy carnivore.
Omnivore actually.

They don't deserver more nor less compassion. But when was the last time a MacDonalds representative asked you how you wanted him to keep the cows, and what you thought was the best method of killing it?

Out of sight, out of mind, right? Peechy!

Omnivore actually.

Potayto, potahto.

My mom had our cats declawed. The procedure only removes the claws from the forepaws, not the hind. The only thing this achieved was that the cats became extremely talented at using their hind claws.

I have never declawed any of my own cats. I noticed that someone mentioned utilising a spray bottle to deter cats from doing naughty things. This works extremely well. Of course, you have to catch them in the action and cats are notorouisly sneaky.

Do not declaw your cat/s. It is an extremely useless procedure.

Do not declaw your cat/s. It is an extremely useless procedure.


TG

Out of sight, out of mind, right? Peechy!

Hey, just because I failed at all my attempts to become a vegetarian doesn't mean I don't care and am not active :p

TG

Got it and responded. : )

Got it and responded. : )
fine :fluffle:

thanks for the input, Dakini.

Grainne Ni Malley, you can either have both pairs of paws onychectomized or only the front pair (which is a bit cheaper). i think many people only want to stop their cat from lunging with the forepaws and dont take into account, that the animal will just switch to its hindpaws.
anyway, good luck with your cats. how many do you have?

Hey, just because I failed at all my attempts to become a vegetarian doesn't mean I don't care and am not active :p

If this declawing business gets to you, but you can still reconcile with eating meat, it does mean you are a hypocrite, though, and in no position to sanctimoniously tell this person they are unfit to have pets. Not that you were the one who did this, but it is the point I am trying to get across.

thanks for the input, Dakini.

Grainne Ni Malley, you can either have both pairs of paws onychectomized or only the front pair (which is a bit cheaper). i think many people only want to stop their cat from lunging with the forepaws and dont take into account, that the animal will just switch to its hindpaws.
anyway, good luck with your cats. how many do you have?


I only have two right now, Merlin and Lillith, but in my lifetime I have owned at least 30 cats (not all at once, mind you). I was really good at dragging them home and saying, " Look what followed me all the way...".

I wasn't aware that a procedure could also be done for the back paws. I still think it's a really unecessary remedy, considering the spray bottle is much cheaper and just as effective.

Am I correct in assuming that your cat is a soley indoor cat and doesn't need the natural defense of it's claws? Still, there are a million and one routes to mischief in the cat world and not all of them involve claws. I stand by my vote of "spray bottle".

I don't get what the big fuss is. My cat's front claws were removed, and he honestly can't tell the difference. He healed quickly. He's an indoor cat so he doesn't need to defend himself. He runs and jumps all the time without difficulty, and he still makes clawing motions on furniture. The only difference - he doesn't destroy the nice leather sofas.

since there seem to be quite a few petowners on this board, do you have any experience with onychectomy (declawing) of cats?

First, my qualifications: I am a licensed veterinary technician from the United States with over 15 years of experience. I am also a catlover. Right now, I have my 18-year old and two 8-year old sisters, all three of which were orphans that I fostered. No, none of them are declawed.

HOWEVER. We must all be conscious that there is history behind Kossackja's request.

Declawing (onychetomy) is still a performed in the United States. It is usually only the front claws that are removed, leaving the hind claws intact for climbing and some defense. This surgical procedure is performed under general anesthesia, and appropriate pain-killers and anti-inflammatories should be used post-operatively. Ideally, the cat will feel no pain or discomfort. Like any surgery, some veterinarians have a better technique than others. And like anything in life, some cats will heal beautifully, the majority will be just fine, and some cats will have complications.

I reccommed that the procedure be performed at the same time as the neuter. You can have kittens or puppies spayed or neutered as early as a few months old. Studies, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, have proven: 1) that younger animals heal more quickly than even 6-9 month olds and that 2) there are NO longterm effects seen from early sterilization. It's much better for the animal to experience just one anesthestic event rather than two.

If it's a boy cat - get the neuter done ASAP. I'm sure that you understand why.

Some situations do require a cat to be declawed, even all four paws.

Be warned however, that declawed cats tend to be "mouthy" and "bitey". Also, the paws MAY spot bleed after the procedure, so confine the cat to a safe area where they will not be tempted to jump or climb. Also, use a paper or other soft litter for at least two weeks after declaws, spays, or neuters so that clay litter does not get in to the incision.

If your cat gets loose and gets mauled by a dog, it's not the fault of the declaw. You should provide an escape-proof home for your pets. Also, it is easy for some to comment that you should not have the cats if you want them to be declawed - but in my personal and professional experience - if you are going to provide a healthy and happy home for these cats for the next 20 years, it is worth it for the kitties in the long run.

Trust me, I can list a dozen crueler things that the average pet owner does to their pets - either through ignorence or poor choices - that are worse than declawing.

Please, choose your vet carefully. If you need any help in evaluation a vet, please let me know. At the very least, please splurge for preoperative blood work for the cats before ANY surgery. Kitties are mysterious creatures, and often have lurking illness that is best discovered prior to surgery.

Good luck,
Jo Ann

If this declawing business gets to you, but you can still reconcile with eating meat, it does mean you are a hypocrite, though, and in no position to sanctimoniously tell this person they are unfit to have pets. Not that you were the one who did this, but it is the point I am trying to get across.

Let me get this straight, I don't have the slightest problems with animals getting killed. It's a bit of stress, but it's over quickly.
I still eat meat, eggs and cheese, but I pay attention to where I buy it and where it came from. I have a problem with animals that are kept in conditions that are cruel, restricitve and that lead to long-term physical and psychological damage for the animal.

Declawing a cat is one form of such treatment, no different from keeping a hen in a 20cm x 30 cm wire box in a hall with thousands of other hens until they virtually hack each other to death.
I've seen two declawed cats in my life, both of them were metally disturbed to say the least.

Let me get this straight, I don't have the slightest problems with animals getting killed. It's a bit of stress, but it's over quickly.
*snip*


Oooh. You haven't seen the video on animals being slaughtered for processing that I have, then. Let alone what happens to them up until the slaughter. I almost swore off any and all animal products after seeing it. Almost.

Let me get this straight, I don't have the slightest problems with animals getting killed. It's a bit of stress, but it's over quickly.
I still eat meat, eggs and cheese, but I pay attention to where I buy it and where it came from. I have a problem with animals that are kept in conditions that are cruel, restricitve and that lead to long-term physical and psychological damage for the animal.

Declawing a cat is one form of such treatment, no different from keeping a hen in a 20cm x 30 cm wire box in a hall with thousands of other hens until they virtually hack each other to death.
I've seen two declawed cats in my life, both of them were metally disturbed to say the least.

So, because you never see the cruel killing that goes into that oh, so, "quick stress," (:rolleyes:)it's so much easier for you to stomach - literally.

So, because you never see the cruel killing that goes into that oh, so, "quick stress," (:rolleyes:)it's so much easier for you to stomach - literally.

I've seen it. You don't spend half your childhood on a farm without seeing some pigs slaughtered now and then. And I did it myself, I killed a few chicken, rabbits and pigeons in my time.
No, I don't have a problem with that. I have a problem with creating prolonged suffering.

I've seen it. You don't spend half your childhood on a farm without seeing some pigs slaughtered now and then. And I did it myself, I killed a few chicken, rabbits and pigeons in my time.
No, I don't have a problem with that. I have a problem with creating prolonged suffering.

There is no other word for this than hypocrisy.

Oooh. You haven't seen the video on animals being slaughtered for processing that I have, then. Let alone what happens to them up until the slaughter. I almost swore off any and all animal products after seeing it. Almost.

That's why I said I'm careful what I buy and where I buy it.
Prepacked, frozen or supermarekt meat is a definite no.
There's a butcher I normally buy from who gets his meat directly from farms in the area.

There is no other word for this than hypocrisy.

Why? Because I see a difference between years of suffering and a quick death?

There is no other word for this than hypocrisy.

I do love you very much Fass, you know that. It is possible for a bad person to do a good act; it's possible for an idiot to get the right answer; it is possible that imperfect people, as we all are, nonetheless want to stop unneccessary suffering as much as we can, even if we're not perfectly consistant.

Go in peace and love, Fass, and enjoy your virtual hambugers :)

Why? Because I see a difference between years of suffering and a quick death?

Because you see the suffering you cause as so much better than that others do. I've seen your types of excuses a million times before - it's how people fool themselves so they can sleep at night.

Because you see the suffering you cause as so much better than that others do. I've seen your types of excuses a million times before - it's how people fool themselves so they can sleep at night.

I make an efford to avoid causing suffering... not quite enough, I know full well. But I don't go out of my way to cause additional suffering...

Grainne Ni Malley had a good suggestion of spray bottles. our vet recommended them for our two cats because they were jumping on things. we just clip our cats claws so the furniture isn't damaged and are thinking of getting a scratching post. I don't think declawing cats is a good idea, there are other options available.

I have yet to be able to reconcile what's considered animal cruelty and what isn't. Many people seem to think that one should be charged with animal cruelty for declawing cats, but it's legal. OTOH, it's perfectly legal to get a two week old baby's ears pierced, but it's considered animal cruelty to get your cat's ears pierced. If there were third hands, you can pretty much do whatever you want to an animal provided you plan on eating it.

There's not really any set standards, are there?

Every new cat we get, my mom makes sure that their front paws are declawed, but their hind paws are not, so that our cats have an easier time with hard-to-reach itches. But I'm still against ANY declawing of cats. It is a morally reprehensible act, IMO.

De-claw? But how would they kill my enemies?

First of all, I think everybody is way off topic and if you want to yell at eachother about whether or not you're involved in the "senseless" murder of animals, can you create another topic, because it has nothing to do with the original question.

As to declawing I'm not a fan. If you are going to do it, just have the front paws declawed. Cats use their front claws for holding and batting actions. "Warnings" you could say. Their main defense is their teeth and their back claws. So at very minimum, just do the front paws. But please, do consider the rest of my post.

There are some alternatives to declawing, even temporary ones until you can train the cat not to scratch the couch. Here are the two major alternatives I know of.

There is a sergical procedure that can be done that does not REMOVE the cats claws, but disconnects the tendon(or whatever it's called) that they use to extend their claws. The one major problem I have heard with this procedure is that there have been cases where the tendon can grow back together, obviously giving them back the ability to extend their claws. I live in the United States, so if you're from outside the country, you'll have to find out if this procedure is available to you. Although I'm not much in favor of this procedure either, you asked for information.

As a less permanent solution there are also small plastic like caps you can buy that glue, non-permanently to your kitty's claws. They'll fall off every once in a while when the nails grow too long and you have to clip and re-apply. I used those for a month or two until my cat got the idea that the scratching post is for scratching, but the couches, chairs, walls, beds and carpet are not. You should be able to find them at your local pet store or ask your vet about them.

http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/scratching_and_declawing/declawing.html
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
http://www.declawing.com/
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/declawing_cats_more_than_just_a_manicure/

Warning: Some links within sites have very graphic pictures of the procedure.
Those links remind me of some "pro-life" links I will sometimes post.

SNIP
There is a sergical procedure that can be done that does not REMOVE the cats claws, but disconnects the tendon(or whatever it's called) that they use to extend their claws.
SNIP
As a less permanent solution there are also small plastic like caps you can buy that glue, non-permanently to your kitty's claws. [/QUOTE]

The first procedure is called a tendonectomy. I've never heard of the tendon healing itself, but then again, I have no personal experience with this procedure. Once the tendon is cut, the nails are permanently in the "out" position which may still cause problems and we still don't know what the original reason was for the interest in declawing. I was never a big fan of this option.

The biggest producer of the nail caps (in the US) is called Soft Paws. These are nifty little soft hollow tips that are glued to the nails. As the nails grow and are shed, the cap eventually falls off. They usually last about 2-4 weeks. The main problem with this option as I see it is time and expense. Some cats are so poorly behaved that owners will bring them to the vet office to be sedated and the caps applied. I would never repeatedly sedate my cat for this reason. If you are skilled enough to apply them at home - you probably are skilled enough to clip your cat's nails and train them to scratch only on appropriate objects.

HOWEVER, and off topic, the Soft Paws can be great for dogs (since dog nails can be long and are un-retractable) or as a one time treatment for the hind paws of cats that constantly scratch at their ears.

Jo Ann
Licensed Veterinary Technician

The only non necessary proceedure that should be preformed on any pet is neutering.If you want a cat without claws then you don't want a cat.Get a goldfish.My local vet still does de clawing though but he is a 'country vet' who considers anything smaler than a lamb vermin.