One drawback

Posted By: Me on 2008-03-12
In Reply to: Gotta a cat question... what is the consensus on declawing? SM - MissouriMT

One big drawback is that some cats never use the litterpan as well after declaw. Right after the surgery they are given something soft like newspaper shreds, and between having their precious litter material taken away and their toes hurting, they may never be as automatic at using the litter pan again.

I have declawed cats in the past, and they lose a lot of muscle tone in their upper bodies when they lose those claws. It is a tough choice, but if possible, cover the furniture or use a Scat Mat or a climbing tower with hemp rope wrap or whatever it takes to redirect them.

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Gotta a cat question... what is the consensus on declawing? SM - MissouriMT
- It's cruel. It's a very painful procedure for the cat - sm - San Francisco
- One drawback - Me
  - I just adopted a declawed cat - sm
    - Maybe she is defensive because she was declawed - and outside. That had to be a trauma itself. SM
  - For many years when worked in animal clinic, after - declaw cats still used regular litter with SM
- Ok, they clawed up an ottoman of mine and guess what? - Animal lover
- http://www.declawing.com/ nm - anon
- Claw covers and sticky paws - KCMT
- Never declawed any of the dozen cats I have had over my lifetime - sm - catlady
- I declawed one and not another. - sm
- You can get little claw covers (sm) - cat person
  - She has a scratching post that I bought when I first got her, but she never... SM - MissouriMT
    - post made of carpet? make one and upholster it. - 2 cats, 1 dog
  - You can get these at most vet clinics. - Some vets will even apply them for you. nm
  - The claw covers come off and have to be replaced - frequently. What if come off when you are gone?
- Having worked in vet clinic, I would do it. It is not - ripping out nails, It is sm
  - I would read the "declawing.com" link posted above. - Graphic illustration of the inhumanity of declawin
  - amputation is amputation - romey
    - Comparison very much valid. Having seen & followed - thousands of declaws I KNOW it is not a bad thing.
      - I guess you know because it is not your fingers you are losing, NM - romey
        No. I KNOW because it is what I have seen - and experienced and discussed with owners. nm
        once again OWNERS, if only we could ask the cats, I think the response would be different, NM - romey
        And I think cats would rather be declawed than - thrown outside or given to strangers. nm
        My brother's declawed cats have a great life - AgingMT
- Give her something else to claw on. They love rattan and wicker. Get - something cheap and watch her go.
- inside - jlynn
  - This is very important.. - my opinion
    - Cats declawed front only can still climb trees and - can still fight using back claws. nm
      - You could be right but... - my opinion
        I completely agree with you. Cats much happier inside. Hard - life outside.
        And yes, I could type minus first joints of fingers. It - doesnt stop me using my shortened ring finger.
        and I could paint with my feet if I had no arms - romey
        If your choice was no arms or being put in strange - dangerous surrounding with no experience SM
        Joint, arm, let's see I would rather not have a portion of my arm or the whole thing, really, I d - romey
        So you are saying amputation okay because - creatures can adapt? I agree. nm
        Oops, this is reply to romy's above post. - nm
- I will be blasted but... - my opinion
  - I know what you mean about a no win - likes cats
  - My first cat was declawed (sm) - tnmt

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