A half-hearted missive about declawing my cats.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

My cats are going to have to be declawed.

I’ve always been one of those people who said, “oh, I’m not going to get them declawed, because what if they get out of the house?” My cats are completely indoor cats. They are not allowed outside, and Ben The Gigantic Fatass[sup]TM[/sup] tends to have panic attacks once he is outside. Gomez The Slightly Annoying is a little more adventurous. He will sniff at the door if it’s open, but he doesn’t venture out.

I should have known that declawing was going to become an issue when Ben completely destroyed the front of the loveseat I used to own.

Now, it has come down to a question of my sanity.

I stay at a friend’s house. His parents live in South Africa, so I get to live the easy life taking care of their beautiful, waterfront house until I move to Baltimore. When I moved in, my friend knew that my cats were fully clawed, and prepared to use them in defense of such a lovely house. He had no problem with this, since he’s one of the “anti-declawing” kind of people.

Well, there is a wooden bannister that goes up to the study and the master bedroom. Ben has been using this as a scratching post, much to my dismay. My friend is fully aware of it, and he’s just told me to try to minimize how bad the damage is. (Ok, just how in the heck do I do that? It’s unfinished wood, with a stain. And I don’t know how to identify the stain so that I can sand it down and re-stain it.) It looks like hell.

But many squirts of the water bottle and bellowing “BEN KNOCK IT OFF!” have not discouraged the Fat Cat. He chose to move on to a china cabinet that used to belong to my friend’s grandparents. A really nice, old china cabinet, which is irreplaceable since it was handmade, or something like that. Friend knows that Ben has been scratching it. (I was unaware until Friday, when he told me about it.) The china cabinet is not so bad, and my friend has just kind of accepted the damage to that. (It looks like it got dinged up moving it.) Gomez has taken to sharpening his claws on the back of the leather sofa. Granted, it’s a junky old leather sofa that’s about to be replaced, but I am mortified that my cats have done this.

I’ve tried scratching posts; I’ve even built a big mamma-jamma one. They have absolutely no desire to scratch on something made solely for them, selfish little punks. Catnip? Feh. My cats would rather destroy personal property than catch a buzz on kitty weed. They’re obviously straight-edge punks. No highs for them.

The deciding factor in the declawing comes down from the Man himself. (Well, kind of.) My boyfriend’s roommates have two cats, both of which are declawed. The roomie, who is to be my new landlord in B-more, has decreed that the little furry punks must be declawed before they can meet their new counterparts, as my cats are kind of brawlers amongst themselves. Also, Ben weighs in at a hefty 27 pounds, and Gomez is about 14 or 15. The combined weight of the new roomie kitties is about 20 pounds altogether. So, now it’s not only a decor issue, but a safety issue for the two other kitties.

Why am I writing this? Well, I feel bad that I have to get them declawed, but it will be for the best in the long run. Any helpful advice on attempting to repair the bannister would be much appreciated, too. Why do my kitties have to be such punk-asses? Why didn’t I get them declawed years ago? :smack:

2

No. It won’t be for the best, in the long run. Not for the cats, anyway. Declawing a cat is not like removing a human’s fingernails. It’s not a minor annoyance; it’s a big freakin’ deal, and it’s wrong! It’s equivalent to removing a human’s fingertips, down to the first knuckle. it’s extremely painful, and the pain may fade, but won’t ever completely go away. You really need to think about this some more.

There are alternatives. For one thing, you don’t have to move in where there are other cats. That’s your choice. There are also rubber tips that can be glued over the cats’ nails, which prevent them from damaging people, furniture, and other cats. I think they’re called Nail Guards, but your vet should know, and I’m sure a reasonably simple Google search will turn them up. If none of those options appeal, give them up, to someone who won’t torture and mutilate them.

3

Oh, just do it.

It’s not like removing a humans fingernails, and it’s not like removing a human’s finger to the first knuckle (which doesn’t seem to be a huge huge deal, juding from the country folk I’m related to), it’s like removing a cat’s front claws.

I can always train my cats not to claw, but it’s hard work. If you can’t do it, don’t kill yourself.

People will tell you that your cats are defenseless. If they get out and run into an automobile, yes, they are. When it comes to dogs and other cats, and your vet will back me up on this, declawed cats sometimes are killed or injured, but so are cats with claws. Cats with claws sometimes defend themselves from dogs and other cats, but so do declawed cats.

You can try the Nail Guards. I’ve heard of a cat who somehow caught a Nail Guard in something and then ripped out the nail and ick and expensive, but I heard that story from a woman I don’t trust who is a bad pet owner.

4

I usually stay out of these declawing debacles, but since you and I are friends, Skerri, I thought I’d jump in before you were cat-piled by the shrieking harpies.

It’s no. Big. Deal. My cats aren’t declawed just because Dorothy has a heart problem–if not for that, I’d have done it in a minute. My Mom’s cat is declawed because Mom has very cut-able skin from prednisone, and she’d be dead with a clawed cat. The cat is very happy, very well-adjusted.

So if you have to do it, go ahead, and pay no mind to people who will try to convince you you’re thre second coming of Dr. Moreau.

5

How about a compromise? Try the Nail Guards while you work like crazy on changing their furniture-destroying ways. I wonder about the roomate’s declawed kitties not being able to defend themselves. My aunt adopted a cat that came declawed and Snowy could defend herself quite nicely in most cases. She hid when she couldn’t-- usually against big dogs when most cats would run anyway. If you give it a good, long, fair try and still nothing works, see about the declawing (I’m trying not to faint-- can’t believe I just wrote that). Declawing is horrid nasty, depending upon the procedure, IIRC one is more radical than the other. But pleeeeeeze try everything else first. Please?

6

I am basically anti-declawing, in most cases. But if it’s a matter of getting rid of the cats or declawing them, I say to declaw them. (Not that I am saying that is your situtation, Skerri.) Those Nail Guards sound like they might be worth a shot, though.

7

Thanks, Davebear for your opinion. :rolleyes: Like I didn’t feel bad enough about this already. You know, you could have just come in here and said, “hey did you know there are alternatives” instead of screaming about how I’m mutilating my cats. Your comments weren’t really necessary.

Anyways.
My fat cat has issues. Declawing is going to make things easier in the long run. The last time I took him to the vet, he ripped my arm open, and got a claw caught in my ear, which almost required stitches and had to be removed with a pair of hemostats. (He also had to be put back into his carrier with a rabies stick, which he ripped his lip open trying to bite.) He hates anyone other than me and my roommate, and a few other people he has become accustomed to. He has a tendancy to attack people. It takes about 3 or 4 days for him to get used to someone. (My vet says this is anti-social behavior, and offered to put him on anti-depressants at the cost of $80 a month. Not really an option, as it would require sticking 4 pills a day down his throat.)

Gomez, on the other hand, has taken to trying to prove his Top-Cat status recently. He likes to pull the sneak attack on Ben. The last time this happened, Ben lost a substantial amount of fur, and got his ear ripped open.

Otherwise, they love each other. They sleep together on my bed every night. I know it sounds like I’ve raised the Beasts of Hell, but they really are good cats. Sometimes.

Thanks, Eve, j.c., & BadBaby. I will consider other options, and if they don’t work, then I guess I will have to declaw.

Now, does anyone know how to fix this bannister?

8

I disagree. I think they clearly were necessary, because you obviously have no clue what it is you’re about to inflict on your cats, and don’t care enough to find out.

But, I was neither shouting, nor “shrieking” like a harpy. I was nicer to you than you deserve, because you’re being selfish and lazy, and planning to be cruel to your cats. And, for this you think you deserve sympathy. I disagree, again. I have no problem with anyone being selfish and lazy, as long as it doesn’t affect anyone else, but when it results in bad decisions that lead to cruelty to animals, I will call them on it.

Since you and your defenders are too self-absorbed and lazy to do your own research, here you go. It took me about thirty seconds to find this. I recommend you click the link and scroll down to the drawing that shows exactly where the claw is removed. (It’s not gruesome. It’s just a line drawing.) From this site. (All emphasis theirs)

And,

9

“Because a declawed cat is a maimed cat.” That site is in no way biased, no.

Maybe I’m just crazy, but even if the whole “first knuckle” analogy is true (which, in many cases it’s not, as tehre are different methods of declawing), I don’t quite see the problem. I would have no problem, if there was no residual pain or problems which there obviously aren’t for declawed cats, with having my top knuckles amputated if it would make my life easier.

10

We adopted Big Mac as a declawed adult. Apparently the former owner’s butcher took an ax to the poor thing. All these years later, a few of Big Mac’s piggies randomly bleed. We have to check them all the time to make sure no kitty litter is in the unhealed wounds. An infection could go systemic and kill him.

My other two kitties were clawing monsters until I broke down and bought an $8 nail-cutting tool. They still pick at stuff but they don’t cause damage.

The nail-cover things are available at www.drsfostersmith.com.

11

“Because a declawed cat is a maimed cat.” That site is in no way biased, no.

Maybe I’m just crazy, but even if the whole “first knuckle” analogy is true (which, in many cases it’s not, as tehre are different methods of declawing), I don’t quite see the problem. I would have no problem, if there was no residual pain or problems which there obviously aren’t for declawed cats, with having my top knuckles amputated if it would make my life easier.

Also, there was a long, involved and vitriolic pit thread on this topic a while back. It’s been done already.

Skerri, Davebear represents one school of thought on declawing. There are many others. I can understand totally why what he’s saying is hurtful, but feel free to do your own research, see what options there are available (I think there was some talk of laser procedures with much faster recovery times and less invasiveness). And do what you have to do.

12

How nice of the PETA contingency to stop by. Thx for your opinion, please drive-thru now, and let the rest of us who have to balance our well-being with our pet’s get back to a real discussion of options and alternatives that, amazingly enough, everyone else has been able to present without crucifying Skerri prior to burning her at the stake.

DavebearNotice the part where she says these cats are also injuring THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER with their claws. She’s also been injured by these cats. Would it be better for her to continue to allow this, especially since she’s going to be introducing two new smaller, declawed cats into their environment? Would it be better to take her vet’s suggestion and have them spend the rest of their lives on the kitty equivalent of downers? Some of us have to balance practicality and reality, with what is ideal. Then, there’s people like you.

13

Although your pets,(cats) are basically counting on you for shelter, food, medical care, and companionship. They reside the world you provide. We had 2 cats that destroyed a $3000.00 leather couch, $1500.00 dining room set, (Wedding gift from my mother) and various comforters. They were still our children. That said, I will never allow another cat with claws in my home. Even if you only remove the front claws, they still fire off the furniture with their back claws.
Bite the bullet and get the claws off. Trust a good vet and get it done. You’ll be glad you did.
FYI, we sold the dining room set in a garage sale for $30.00 proving that people will buy most anything.

14

I’ve read that cats won’t claw something if it’s covered with layers of tinfoil. I don’t know if this is true because I have long ago given up on the idea that I prevent my cats from clawing. They’ve taken to the wooden doorframe and it looks like tigers live here. When I move out, I’m going to replace that piece of wood. No big deal. Tinfoil (the heavy-duty kind, wrapped around a few times) would be worth a shot, no?

I would never declaw my cats because I knew what I was getting into when I got them. I urge you, Skerri, to try a few other methods to discourage the kitties before you declaw. Let us know how the nail covers work if you try them. I’m curious. I know they make them in fashion colors too!

15

When we had our two declawed, they were obviously NOT in severe pain when they returned home. They went up and down stairs a little gingerly and didn’t run as much for a day or two, but that was the extent of it. Within two or three days, you couldn’t tell it had been done.

Both can run, jump, and balance as well as ever. One of our cats seems to think he’s a dog, and goes for long walks with us and follows us when we ride our horses (we live on a farm.) These cats mobility is in no way restricted. Both can even still climb trees, using their back claws. I saw one chase a squirrel across the yard today, gaining on it the entire way until they reached the chain link fence, which the squirrel got through but the cat was too big.

I’ll never again own a cat that is not declawed. I honestly think these two are happier since we are no longer constantly trying to stop them from clawing things.

No, we don’t leave them outside alone for long periods of time because we don’t want the coyotes to eat them. But we never did leave them out for long periods of time alone because the coyotes would have eaten them with or without claws.

16

I personally had no luck with Soft Claws - my cat just stripped them off - before she attacked my husbands cat and sent him to the emergency vet three times in a month. Likewise, trimming did no good - unless we were willing to drug her in order to trim her - as she was perfectly cabable of scratching you hard enough to send you in for stitches while you were attempting to trim her. Getting rid of his cat was not an option (unless I wanted to get rid of my husband) and my cat was a known bitch with behavioral issues, so giving her away wasn’t an option either. (She needed to be an only cat and everyone willing to take her to keep her from being declawed already had cats of their own). I also couldn’t find a no kill shelter with room.

Sometimes, you need to declaw. Or maybe Davebear would be happy to take in your cats.

17

Just wanted to give you another alternative that MercyStreet sort of already mentioned: cutting and filing their claws yourself.

I didn’t think I could do it with my mean and surly cat, but after the investment of about $10 worth of clippers and files, and a quick lesson from the vet tech, it was easy. Just like clipping your own fingernails, IMO.

Just thought I’d mention it. Good luck with your kitties.

18

Looks like I just missed Dangerosa’s post. With m & s cat, I had to get him used to having the pads of his feet touched, and the first couple of times I clipped his nails I wrapped him in a towel to prevent him from scratching me. Of course, it doesn’t work for everyone. Kitties are picky.

As for the banister, I’ve had success in trying to match stains and paint colors by taking a picture and showing it to the nice folks at my local home improvement store. They’ve even let me open stuff up and do test spots for comparison basis.

19

I don’t have anything useful to add-I just want to give thanks that we were able to train our younger cat, who has otherwise shown no indications of a functioning brain, to use the scratching post. We bought this second one when we got her (so the other cat wouldn’t have to share-for some reason, cats aren’t very good at sharing :slight_smile: ); it’s a pretty big, solid piece of equipment; and a year and a half later, it pretty much looks like a large person has taken an axe to it. It sits right next to a big, solid desk; I imagine there wouldn’t be much left but sawdust if she didn’t mostly leave it alone …

20

Sorry to hijack the OP, but MercyStreet doesn’t allow email.

MercyStreet, I have a Big Mac, too! You can see him here:

http://wesees.tripod.com/

Click on the “Big Mac”!

Oh, and to unhijack: I agree completely with yosemitebabe.