Declawing pro or con?

Question

(I have so many questions lol)

So how exactly does declawing work? My brother just got a kitten for his 4 year old son but is insisting that is will hurt his son so he wants to get her declawed. I told him it is painful but that is what I have been told by several other cat owners. He has to drive 1 hour away to a vet that still does it because most in our area don't. 

I don't want him to do it. Is there any medical facts I can use to keep him from doing this?

garrettmarvel · Answer

Although you may never know the precise age of your cat, but you can count Whoopie’s teeth to estimate his age, kittens only have 26 deciduous teeth while adults have 30 teeth, also if notice a yellowing or discoloration of his teeth, that’s a sign of an older cat.

opus88 · Answer

welcome to DJ and Whoopie....I have a black cat too...named Nemo:)

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/84814?personal_page_id=473886

also Himmie named Sami and the new baby a rescue named Tori

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/84824?personal_page_id=473886

http://www.medhelp.org/user_photos/show/511340?personal_page_id=473886

I personally LOVE westie's if I were to have another dog someday that would be my choice...so welcome to him too...even blind and deaf animals can enjoy life for a long time yet with love and care

many Vets can tell the approx age of a cat(or dog) by their teeth...:)

ed34 · Answer

did have 4 girls, but down to 2 and a dog now. 2 died of cancer a while ago and had to be put down. I'm now left with DJ (daisy junior) and Whoopie (black cat). No problems with them whatsoever. The dog is a westie, 19 now and blind/deaf lol. He is still eating well so I'm not having him put down yet. I have no idea how old the cats are, they must be 10 or so. Is there a way to tell a cats age?

opus88 · Answer

your so right Ed!!! declawing is inhumane and unnecessary...welcome to our forum, do you have a kitty or two? tell us abt them....

ed34 · Answer

what makes him think his son would get hurt? it's a great opportunity for the boy to get to know the cat and respect it. If he uses toys with the cat then hey presto, a perfect relationship but as the cat ages, it will greatly calm down.

Bombay0921 · Answer

I read that it is illegal in some places of the world that declawing any animals in abusive and you can get finned

Jade59 · Answer

I was going to ask that very question, but you beat me to it!

CML2014 · Answer

So KCL, have you won the argument with your brother?? 
Keep us posted.

AKC_75 · Answer

One thing no one else pointed out is.....when a cat walk, they basically tippy-toe. If you declaw (yes, basically amputate) then they are forced to learn how to walk flat-footed which is totally not in their nature.

I agree...it is abuse.

garrettmarvel · Answer

Definitely present it to the brother in law that this is actually a wonderful learning opportunity for his son. The child will learn to respect another creature's boundaries and to be kind to animals.

AlisonK45 · Answer

Declawing is amputation. It is very painful as others have said, and it makes it harder for the cat to defend himself or find food if he should get outside. Also, it's worth noting that many times declawed cats will pee and poop outside of the litterbox because the litter hurts their sensitive paws. 

I think the training needs to be more on the baby's end more than the cat's end. Your brother needs to teach his child to be gentle with the cat. A cat has feelings too, and probably will lash out if someone pulls his tail, just like a human would if someone punched them in the back or something similar. He needs to sit with his son and the cat when the cat is sleepy and calm, and do the "nice kitty" game, where they take turns petting the kitty nicely. When the baby does it wrong, he needs to tell him firmly, "No, don't hurt the kitty. Do niiice kitty..." The baby may get swatted a couple of times, but he'll learn. I did the same with my two cats when my son was born and he's very respectful of animals now and knows when they need their space. 

If he's not willing to take the time to teach his kid to be gentle then he probably shouldn't have gotten a cat. I don't mean to sound harsh and judgemental, but I stand firmly by my belief that cats have feelings and rights too. THe cat did not choose to be put in this situation.

Bombay0921 · Answer

Getting a cat declawed can be really painful and if the cat that u r going to get is young when it grows up it could lead to your cat not walking properly and they won't be able to hunt for thing and the is a essential for a cat and it your cat gets in a fight with another cat your cat won't be able to defend himself and he/she could get Really hurt if u want to get a cat don't declaw it or just don't get a cat and get something else coz it could really hurt your cat thanks for reading

CML2014 · Answer

I am only making a point here, so forgive me;

How about letting your BROTHER have it done so he can find out for himself how it is getting around with knuckles ONLY!!@%%%##****!!

I would take the cat from your brother before I would allow him to do that.
Maybe he just does not understand  the painful side effects....... Cats are NEVER the same, Trust me!! 

Forgive me , I go crazy when I hear this. He can have the cats claws clipped by the vet, buy nail covers, and take some time to teach kitty how to use a scratching post--which is a must have . If he does not want to invest the time and training of this baby (kitten) then he should find a GOOD home for it , even take it to the vets office to find another home for it.

Vets love the money they make off of it , but a Good vet would NEVER suggest this.

Sorry, guess you know where I stand .
CML

evewisewoman · Answer

Hello KittyCatLover23,

Declawing a cat is just plain cruel. Tell your brother that declawing a cat is the same as if someone took the top part of each one of a person's fingers starting from the tip of the finger to the first knuckle. It is extremely painful for the cat. This is why so many vets will not declaw cats. Also declawed cats often can not walk properly after the procedure. I agree with AnnieBrooke and Piparskeggr regarding declawing. Basically it is an amputation of each one of the cat's paws. We have a cat.  Trimming a cat's claws is no big deal. You buy a trimmer from a pet store. You only have to trim their claws once a month. I have a friend of mine who has four cats and she trims their claws once a month. Cats are supposed to have their claws to protect themselves should the need arise. Tell your brother to teach his 4 year old son to be very gentle with the kitten and respectful and there won't be a problem. Declawing a cat is barbaric and cruel. It should never be an option and it certainly is not a routine procedure for all the reasons I listed above. Cats behave well if they are treated kindly and with respect .  I wish you well.  Eve ( one of Sammy the cat's care takers )

Piparskeggr · Answer

Declawing is cutting off the cat's finger at the first knuckle.

Look at your own hands, how well do you think you would adjust to having 1/3 of your fingers and thumbs chopped off?

AnnieBrooke · Answer

It cuts off their whole knuckle, not just the claw.  It is painful for the cat and also can make the cat more aggressive, using its teeth if it has no claws.  It also makes the cat much less safe -- with a 4-year-old in the house, it means the door will sometimes be left open and the cat will get out.  It can't climb a tree or scratch a dog's nose if the dog comes at the cat aggressively.  Why does he even want a cat if he wants to do this to the cat?  It seems very cruel.  One would think he would take a clue from the fact that no local vets will do the surgery.