Posted by Mary on June 21, 2001 at 08:37:10:
In Reply to: Cat nails posted by Amber on June 21, 2001 at 00:57:19:
Wait until he is dead. That's the best time :)
There is really no need at all to declaw a cat. Declawing is not just taking the claw off, it's amputating part of his toes. They have to remove the bone as well as the claw, to ensure that the claw doesn't grow back. It's very painful, and if you do it, you can have side effects such as your cat now turns into a biter, because he doesn't have any other defenses, he could stop using the litterbox because it hurts his poor little toes. Shelters are full of cats who are declawed, but their ownders turned them in because the cat was peeing everywhere, or biting people. They say the cat has "suddenly turned mean" *sigh*
The part of their toe that gets chopped off is the part that they walk on, so they can no longer walk in a normal manner. Sometimes, they develop back or spine problems because they are no longer walking properly. Cats do use their claws to scratch, but the reason they do that is to stretch their muscles. Watch a cat sometime, you will see them reach up and dig their claws into a scratching post or tree, then will hold on with their claws and pull back, giving their muscles a workout. If they don't have claws, they can't do that. They also use their claws to catch things, about 75% of my cats playtime is done using their claws. If they didn't have them, they would not be able to play those games.
Another reason to not get your cat de-clawed is he will now have no defenses if he ever gets outside. You may say that you would never let him out, but the truth is you can never be 100% sure he will never get out. You could have a peson break into your house while you are at work, leaving a window wide open for him to jump out of. You could have a landlord come over one day, or some other repairman, to fix something, and the cat inadvertantly gets out. You could have an earthquake, or hurricane, or tornado, a window gets broken, and he gets out. And once he is out there, he now has no defenses left to protect him from some other animal attacking him.
Declawing is actually illegal in many countries, because they have recognized what a cruel, barbaric, and inhumane procedure it really is. They consider it to be animal abuse, and personally, I agree. If the cat's claws were deformed, and growing back into the pads, then it would be a necessary procedure. But otherwise, it's completely unnecessary, and it's a procedure that is done strictly for the convenience of the owner. I really wish the US would get on the ball and make it illegal here as well.
I have two cats, and they both have their claws. They use them all the time, but never on me. The only time I get scratched is if I do something stupid, like dangle a stuffed animal right in Molly's face, and when she reaches out to grab it she catches my fingers because they are right there. totally my fault, not hers. They don't destroy my furniture, they have never used my couch as a scratching post. they have plenty of scratching posts - cardboard, sisal rope, and carpet, and they use them. A lot. it didn't take very long to train them either.. they instinctively look for something to scratch on, and once they figure out that you have provided them with something, they will use it.
Please please please don't declaw your little baby. there is no need to do it, they are very eaily trained not to use their claws. I'm putting a link below to a website that can give you a lot more information, and tips for training your cat, or anything else related to this subject. Please take a look at the website, and read through it carefully before you make a decision that could make your cat miserable, and make your life with your cat miserable as well. Just because the vet says to do it doesn't mean that he is right.. a vet who pushes declawing is just interested in lining his wallet with more of your hard-earned money. please reconsider.
thanks -
Mary
: Im getting a new kittin but i would like to know how old does the cat have to be to be declawed?? does it matter what age?