Declawing a cat is analogous to having your fingertips cut off down to the first joint. A cat’s claws can be trimmed with clippers, just like a dog’s, if you have a beastie who can’t be deterred from scratching the furniture or drapes. Have a vet tech show you how to do it if you are afraid to attempt it on your own the first time.
I wouldn’t declaw a cat, but I’ve threatened our current feline companion. He’s a former stray, now living the life of a gentleman of leisure. But it has taken three years to get him to let us just touch his front paws when he’s feeling mellow. Attacking his nails is not worth the blood loss. There are only two places he will scratch, though: a kichen cupboard, to demand food; and the front door, to demand egress. We’re trying to get im to vocalize to let us know his needs, but he’s hard to reason with. He’s also a greedy little beggar, and not so little now…
Bless everyone here for your compassion! Indeed, NEVER have a cat de-clawed. It IS the same as a human having their finger amputated at the first joint, and it’s weeks and sometimes months of agony, and even a lifetime of pain and trauma for a cat. I once was in the back room of a veterinary office, and saw a little kitten who had been declawed the day before, and this poor little thing was in total agony! :*C His feet/legs were bandaged up to the elbow and blood was seeping through from his toes, and he was howling and hissing in pain and biting at the bandages (trying to ‘bite’ at the pain!) Broke my heart and I vowed to NEVER put a cat through that. Sorry to be graphic, but if we can make just one cat owner aware of this, it’s more than worth it. Trimming their claws yourself is easy~ Do have your vet show you – it’s painless as long as you don’t clip any of that little pink ‘core’ in their claw. That part is full of nerves and little blood vessels and will be very painful to them, but as long as you avoid that part, and clip the sharp, white points, it’s just like you painlessly clipping your own fingernails.
reese828 over 12 years ago
Declawing a cat is analogous to having your fingertips cut off down to the first joint. A cat’s claws can be trimmed with clippers, just like a dog’s, if you have a beastie who can’t be deterred from scratching the furniture or drapes. Have a vet tech show you how to do it if you are afraid to attempt it on your own the first time.
gosfreikempe over 12 years ago
I wouldn’t declaw a cat, but I’ve threatened our current feline companion. He’s a former stray, now living the life of a gentleman of leisure. But it has taken three years to get him to let us just touch his front paws when he’s feeling mellow. Attacking his nails is not worth the blood loss. There are only two places he will scratch, though: a kichen cupboard, to demand food; and the front door, to demand egress. We’re trying to get im to vocalize to let us know his needs, but he’s hard to reason with. He’s also a greedy little beggar, and not so little now…
cherryvalleyheart over 12 years ago
Bless everyone here for your compassion! Indeed, NEVER have a cat de-clawed. It IS the same as a human having their finger amputated at the first joint, and it’s weeks and sometimes months of agony, and even a lifetime of pain and trauma for a cat. I once was in the back room of a veterinary office, and saw a little kitten who had been declawed the day before, and this poor little thing was in total agony! :*C His feet/legs were bandaged up to the elbow and blood was seeping through from his toes, and he was howling and hissing in pain and biting at the bandages (trying to ‘bite’ at the pain!) Broke my heart and I vowed to NEVER put a cat through that. Sorry to be graphic, but if we can make just one cat owner aware of this, it’s more than worth it. Trimming their claws yourself is easy~ Do have your vet show you – it’s painless as long as you don’t clip any of that little pink ‘core’ in their claw. That part is full of nerves and little blood vessels and will be very painful to them, but as long as you avoid that part, and clip the sharp, white points, it’s just like you painlessly clipping your own fingernails.
arsmall over 12 years ago
I’m not a lover of cats…but even I wouldn’t do that to a cat…how mean!