HELP! ..declawing

[sammy_apollo]

Sorry this is so long, but I need some <b>major</b> help. First, some info: I have an 11-year old DECLAWED cat (sammy), who was declawed when I was three or four.. and just got a new kitten (apollo) eight weeks ago, who's now 16 weeks old. In February I wanted a kitten, but when she said I could only get one if we declawed him I refused. This August, she said we wouldn't have to get apollo declawed.

Now, she's turning back on her word. My mom is not telling me this, but I found out from my dad that she's totally intent on getting apollo declawed when he gets neutered in december. She wasn't even going to tell me this. Just put him in for the surgeries at the <b>same time.</b> I'm so upset over this. I KNOW what declawing really is.

She wants to get the kitten declawed for a few reasons - because our older cat is declawed, and because she wants to "protect" her furniture (read: he hasn't even DONE anything to her furniture because I trained him not to). Her defense against my arguments is that our older cat is "fine" and had no complications. It's almost impossible to get her off of that idea. In reality, I remember a bit that our older cat, as a kitten, was very spirited and happy. At just two years old, I remember him as lazy, and he's always been on the big side.. very overweight. I don't know if these are results of the declawing but I know that's not normal.

I will NOT let my baby become mutilated JUST BECAUSE our older cat is. Apollo is the most spirited, playful, energetic, loving and adorable kitten I have ever seen. I adore him and love him with all my heart. I can't help but cry at the thought of him being mutilated like that, just for my mother's convenience. I love my older cat with all my heart, but I feel bad for him because all he can do is just lie there. When you touch his paws, he licks them like he misses the claws and still remembers the pain. I don't want my kitten to end up like that. Please help me... What should I say to my mom?

[jdf]

We have three cats - all have their claws intact and it isn't a problem. I think as long as a scratching post is provided, things should be okay. I don't mean the kind of post from a pet store - we have a wooden pole about three feet long and four inches in diameter. You can buy these poles at Home Depot and many other lumber yards. They're called peeler cores - it's what's left over after veneer is shaved off a log to make skins for plywood. Anyway - our cats like it because it's like sharpening their claws on something which is close in feel to what they would use naturally if they lived outside.

Wish I had some advice on what to say - personally, I think declawing is a terrible mutilation since it involves amputation of the ends of the toes and is not simply and neatly "removing the claws". I'm posting a link which may give you some ideas on an approach to use to save Apollo from having to suffer this procedure. The site has some graphic photos - maybe showing the images to your mother would wake her up. The article also discusses what it means to a cat to have this done. Best of luck...

http://maxshouse.com/Truth%20About%20Declawing.htm

[jdf]

Here's another article ... one thing you can do that may help is tell you mother that you will routinelt clip Apollo's claws - that would help minimize damage to furniture, etc.

http://www.cfainc.org/health/declawing.html

[jason]

note: this topic is being watched. heated debates are not tolerated.

declawing procedures have the potentional of long term side effects as do many other procedures. it is mostly a personal decision. many cats have been front declawed and lived perfectly healthy and normal lives (both of mine are prime examples and i am aware of quite a few others). their personalities are not effected by the procedure itself, if the vet knows what they are doing then the kitty should have no problems.

if its something you simply do not want to have done (personal reasons), by all means do what you can to not...but it will not ruin your cat as a result. if keeping the cat is ultimately up to your parents then you may not have a choice...its not the end of the world, trust me. (im only talking about front declaw, not front and rear).

search the forum for other topics that started similar to this, in particular this one.

[melissaranks]

I have to agree, declawing isn't always a bad decision. I had Booker declawed because it was either that or the Humane Society where in my area cats brought in have only 3 days to get adopted. She was beating the crap out of Maximus (who passed a year ago). Declawing DID change her temperment, but for the better! She became an absolute mush. She's so loving now. And, my cats growing up were always declawed, and they were always fine. As for your one older cat who is larger, that could be from the sedentary life of being an indoor cat and from being neutered. Male cats tend to 'calm' once they've been neutered and will put on some weight. So, it's probably normal. I chose not to have D'Artagnan declawed because he's already a mush and has never scratched anything but his cat tree and sometimes the dog (when the dog deserves it).

But, since you really don't want your kitten declawed, I would suggest you tell your parents in a calm and rational matter. Don't argue with them. Yelling is definately not the way to get your point across. Print out your research and ask to sit down with them and talk to them about it. Show them the alternatives like claw caps, nail clipping, and more scratch posts. Also, ask your mother why she wants to declaw your kitten and listen to what she says and then go into the alternatives from that point on.

[Traci]

Admin note to ALL readers:

1) Parts of the link given above are inaccurate and misleading, in particular, behavioral issues.

2) Regarding declawing issues, read our House Rules for our position and policy concerning this topic on our forums.

It's almost impossible to get her off of that idea. In reality, I remember a bit that our older cat, as a kitten, was very spirited and happy. At just two years old, I remember him as lazy, and he's always been on the big side.. very overweight. I don't know if these are results of the declawing but I know that's not normal

Lazy and fat = this is the owner's responsibility to initate dietary management and to initiate an exercise/play program to keep kitty happy, healthy and entertained, for optimal health.

As for being overweight, and given his age, your mom really needs to get kitty seen by the vet to keep abreast of any health problems that are associated with obesity (diabetes, liver disfunction and heart disease are the number one health problems for overweight cats)

Declawing is not without risks, as with any other elective or non-elective surgery. However, new advances in procedures are utilized to minimize the risks. Ideally, declawing should not be performed unless it is a last resort, mainly, the owner's thinking of getting rid of the cat simply due to scratching the furniture. As you've attested, you've trained your kitten not to scratch the furniture, therefore your mom has no excuse to proceed with a declaw. Simple as that.

[davet]

Hey Traci---you will notice how i am being good and not entering into this one.....

[DebADooo]

Why not give your mother an alternative? There's a product on the market called SoftPaws. You can find info. at:

https://www.softpaws.com

Ideally, I would like to see nothing at all done to the kitten but this is a humane alternative.

[jason]

Why not give your mother an alternative?

Ideally, I would like to see nothing at all done to the kitten but this is a humane alternative.

i included a link to your previous post conerning that, in which the topic went far into oblivion. using words like "humane, mutilation, hateful, butcher" and the like are not going to be tolerated. tasteful suggestions to an alternative to declawing is perfectly fine of course.

enough already, the original poster has got enough to think about and this kitty is not in grave danger. cathelp-online is not the venue for such topics/directions nor will it ever be. i realise no one is really arguing, but ive locked, deleted and "got into it" (off the board) enough from these discussions to see where this is going.

if you care to continue this discussion, please do so elsewhere as there are plenty of places more suitable for this.

[Jen]

I am proud of you as a yougster for knowig that declawing is extreme. Would there be any way to ask your mom to hold off on the declaw surgery until she can PROVE the need for it? (in other words, if the kitten cannot be trained to use proper scratching material). This will buy you the time to prove to your mom that it is not necessary.
In order for this to work though, keeping the claws trimmed short helps tremendoulsy. And that might mean every 3 to 4 weeks for a nail trim. my cats claw considerably less when their nails are short (and I have 14). Also you should provide several appropriate scratching posts in different locations and they should not be hidden away. Cats want to "mark by scratching" right in the hub of activity. Make sure the posts are tall enough for the cat to get a good amount of stretch (and consider its adult size, not its kitten size). My cats prefer sisal for scratching.
And having a declawed and a clawed cat is perfectly safe, again as long as the claws are kept short.
Good luck. Keep us posted.