Comments on de-clawing

[Swub]

I've always been against de-clawing but I'm now seriously considering it.

We've just spent over £13000 on our house only to have it all destroyed by the cat. She now just ripped the paper off the wall on the landing, she's already ripped it in other places around the house, she's ruined my new leather suite and fances her chances with the carpet.

I feel like crying. I love her but she's driving me mad! My husband won't put up with much more and I think pretty soon he'll want to re-home her. Is de-clawing a better option? I should mention that she already has no teeth (hit by a car) and she is always demanding my attention and is very dependant on me.

[davet]

i know i should not respond to this because my opinions are in the very very minority but up untill i retired i used to declaw cats..this was after long discussions with the clients...i would not do it just because but it there were small children involved or if, as in your case, there was threat of removing the cat from a family...you will get e=usggestions about glue on claw caps etc, suggestions train your cat to a post etc,etc,etc..very rarely do these things work with an older cat....you will hear about how it affects the cats psychi, physiology etc but i never ran into that...having raised 7 kids and multi grandkids i always declawed my on cats...my last cat died at the age of 20, she like d to go out doors, she could climb trees, (would come down a little faster), do the kneeding procedure, chase stray cats off our property cath mice (and bring them home) and do all the things "normal " cats could do.....so again in certain cases i think it is justified after having seen cats hit with beer bottles after clawing the drapes,sent to SPCA with crying kids left behind...etc etc etc...so that i just my opinion and i am sure there will those euqually against....

[Traci]

And most of the members know our policy on this subject.....read the House Rules for more information.

This link will also outline alternative solutions you can try before considering declawing. None of us truly wants to declaw a cat, but as Davet mentions, if all other methods of training have been attempted with no success and it means the kitty must be re-homed, declaw is an option. Please attempt training methods first.

[davet]

didn't know about this
members know our policy on this subject

[Guest]

Just wanted to let you know, this isn't something I take lightly and before I did anything I have an excellent vet who I would speak to first. He's been seeing Charlie for 4.5 years for various things (long story related to her car accident - adopted with remaining problems).

Just for some background information, Charlie is probably about 7 years old. She does go outside but rarely for more than 5 minutes, then she has to come and find me! She's a very clingy, demanding cat. We've tried to reduce this dependence by spending even more time with her and ignoring her when she starts shouting but with no sucess (suggestions appreciated). She does have a scratching post which she uses quite happily. It's not hidden away, it's between the living room and the kitchen. Obviously we don't hit her or anything (although the temptation's there sometimes!) she just gets a sharp 'Charlie!' which usually stops her. I may be wrong, but I think a lot of it is attention seeking.

I just don't know what to do anymore. She has me in tears more than anybodyelse, but I love her and I don't want her to go.

[Swub]

Sorry, I forgot to put my name on that last post.

[Traci]

didn't know about this
members know our policy on this subject

As in watching subjects such as this very closely and stopping potential flames, trouble before it occurs.

[Traci]

You could be right on the attention-getting scheme on her part. One scratching post may not be enough. Sometimes, one must provide a few, maybe even a kitty perch or cat-tree next to a favorite (safe) window, interactive toys to keep her busy and entertained, spending more quality time with her, and I don't mean quantity only. A fair amount of playtime daily, plus grooming, bonding, cuddling, etc, are all excellent methods to 'secure' her environment where she may be less apt to scratch everything in sight. Some of the folks here use a squirt bottle to train away from the scratching behavior, it works for some, doesn't for others. Shaking a can of coins is also another deterrent, remembering that all of these methods should be applied when you actually catch her in the act, not much later than the incident.

One concern is that you do allow her outdoors. If she is declawed, she will have no defenses, regardless of the minimal time outdoors, anything can happen, the hazards are just too great. If you had a safe outdoor enclosure for her, then the risk is reduced considerably, but assuming you don't, it's a risk of her safety.

[Yzma]

Maybe she needs a companion...

[Swub]

Tried getting another cat but she was insanely jealous and after two days we had to send the other cat back home.