[jblum315]

I'm thinking of adopting a kitten. Anyone have opinions about declawing a cat?

[l2ridehd]

Always think of it as someone pulling all your fingernails off. Don't do it, it is very cruel. There are others ways to protect furniture from cat nails.

[judynlee]

Worse! It's like amputating the ends of your fingers. I believe it's banned in Britain and will be here, eventually.

[Taj44]

If you saw the poor little kitty with big bandages on her paws, you'd think twice about it.

[mfp509]

I would never do that. In fact, it is so cruel that I believe the state of California has banned it. I wish all states would ban it.

[chuckinca]

Did it years ago - changed the cats' personalities and they couldn't protect themselves if they got outside. Wouldn't do it again.


.

[JMarkle]

It is a cruel procedure, but so are a lot of medical procedures...

If you decide to declaw, you will need to use shredded paper to replace litter for a while and will never be able to let your cat outside because they will not be able to defend themselves.

If you decide not to declaw, there are fake nails or caps that you can put over their claws. It is time consuming and tends to tick off the cat, but since your cat is young, it might not be so difficult.

Not an easy decision, but only YOU have to be satisfied with the results.

[Bonny]

Many years ago I had a a kitten declawed. Back then everyone was doing it. When I picked my kitty up from the vet, I cried for 3 days. Those little paws all bandaged up & bleeding. Don't do it.

[KathieI]

In my mind, since we can't hear from the cats, I think it would be very painful. I won't cut my Schnauzers ears either. If the breeder did it at birth, then it was done, but I would never do it. I think they look much cuter with longer ears anyway. Why inflict more pain on them than necessary.

Please don't do it... Thanks,

Oops, explanation of my avatar. Nicky was a show dog potential and the breeder cut his ears to show him. I, personally, would never do it. My other 2 dogs have long ears and look adorable.

[The Great Fumar]

My daughter had her cat declawed when she got new living room furniture...and she thought it was wonderful.....I personally think she
overdid it as now the kittys tummy drags the ground.......

fumar

[Bonny]

I have an 11 year old cat that is not declawed. My couches look like they have been through a giant shredder. But, when kitty is no longer with us, I will buy new ones. My other kitty I lost a year & a half ago after 14 years, never clawed anything.

[Pturner]

I agree with other posters. We were adopted by an injured stray kitten two years ago. I took him for shots and our vet advised to get a tall "cat condo"/scratching post right away. I picked it up on the way back from the vet.


Upon vet's advice, whenever Two-Putt would try to scratch the furniture, I'd give him a firm "eeeenk" and then lead him to his cat post. He has since gotten too big to hang out on/in the "condo," but he still goes there to scratch. It is mostly shredded on one side, but our furniture is fine.

[duffysmom]

Many years ago I had my cat declawed and regret it. He was in terrible pain and had a peculiar limp afterward. I appreciate that you are thoughtful enough to ask the question and put yourself out there. Many people have cats that are trained not to claw furniture and you can buy products that help.

[YodaMom]

A friend of ours had their cat declawed and he bites people now. I guess with his claws gone, his teeth would be his only way to defend himself. We have had several cats and would never declaw them. I agree with the other posts, it is too cruel.

[Whalen]

As most other posters stated the answer is simply no.

My feeling is that is if you have to maim an animal in order to have it as a pet maybe you should consider another pet.

As Duffymom said, thanks for asking.