Do you think it is cruel to de-claw an indoor cat?
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at
7:07 pm
I have an indoor, neutered cat who has been scratching the furniture, fixtures and even family members. I am at the end of my rope. I am considering haveing him de-clawed. Is this a cruel thing to do?
Filed under: Cat Furniture
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Yes. Get the kind of scratching post with rope wrapped around it, and rub some dried catnip into the rope. Gently take your cat’s paws and rub them on the rope. Ours love this post – they’ve clawed the rope to shreds, and I’ve replaced the rope 3 times now.
You can also get a cat repellent spray. It has a smell that most people can’t smell, but cats sure can. Be careful – a little goes a long way. Put a quick spritz of it on the furniture, etc, where they’ve been scratching, and see if it helps. Try looking at a PetSmart store, or in the pet section of a dept. store.
if it stay’s inside all the time i say no. but outside cat’s should never be declawed.
declawing isn’t really the done thing and seen as a cruel thing to do in the veterinary profession. some vets will do it but not happily.
there is something which can help. its called ‘soft claws’. they are rubbery/plastic and shaped like a cats claw. we first clip the cats nails, place glue into the soft claws and then are stuck on top of the cats existing nails. this can often be done conscious, sometimes not depending on your cats temperament. its usually there front feet they use to claw so the soft claws can be applied to the front fore feet or all feet.
it depends on the cat how long they last and can be applied as often as needed. usually they last a few months and some a year.
this is a great Little invention and prevented alot of damaged furniture and rehomings!!
ensure you have a scratching post as well. sometimes we forget to buy one, they very important to the cat.
qualified veterinary nurse UK
I definately do not think it’s creul to de-claw an indoor cat. I think its smart if you want to protect your furniture. I have 2 cats and they are both de-clawed and it didn’t change their personalities in any way, they’re still great cats…they just don’t claw up my sofa!!
If it serious, then no. A lot of people i know have there cats declawed.
Yes. If it ever gets out, it will be totally defenseless.
Infections are common, and its simply unnecessary.
If you can’t train it, best find it a home.
Yes, unless you have tried EVERYTHING else: double-sided sticky tape, bitter or hot spray, plastic rug gards with the points up, etc. Imaging having your first knuckle removed. EEK. If it is the only you can keep the cat, then by all means do so. Better surgery than a shelter.