I have a 3 year old cat who just tears up my couch, I found a vet here who is willing to declaw her just wondering how much trama is that going to cause her, my couch is in shreds and yes i trim her claws, and she has 3 scratching posts.
Answers:
A three year old cat is not too old to declaw, if you have to choose between the cat or the claws. In otherwords, it sounds like you are at your wits end, and have tried all other methods.
Obviously, the older and heavier a cat, the longer recovery. Each cat is different, but that's kind of the rule of thumb. If she is overweight, try to get her weight down , but don't wait too long. Also, just declaw her front feet. Heck, have the vet do one foot now, and one after she recovers if you are worried. Then she can get around less painfully.
I didn't read the other responses, but I'm sure you had some real sweet remarks!
4 months was what we did.
Cats can be declawed as young as 6 months...mine was just over 8 months when we had him done and for the first few days he acted like he couldn't stand (which was hilarious) but after that he was fine. I strongly recommend getting the front claws done. Good luck!
You don't get a cat de-clawed at any age. You train the little muppets from an early age that the scratching post is the place to claw not the back of the leather couch. Duh!
Well my neighbor got her first cat delcawed, i dont know what age but getting a cat declawed is like taking off our fingers to the knuckle. may want to revise your thinking
You can get your cat declawed at any age through a licensed vet, as they usually knock them out for it. Just be sure that your cat DOES NOT go outside afterwards, as they have no personal defense.
I would do it when they are just a few months old
It is a more painful recovery to have an adult cat declawed, they bounce back faster as kittens. But, usually they will do just fine. A good Vet will send home pain medication. And avoid regular cat litter until completely healed.
i had mine declawed at the same time i got her fixed i think she was about 6 mos old and I've had her for about 13 years and she still thinks she is scratching but she doesn't hurt anything she is just fine ju st find a good vet.
korkie
any age you cant really own a nother life you know
You really should never get a cat declawed. think of it this way, you are not removing their nails, you are removing part of their "fingers". It's as if someone were to remove the first phalange (that is the first part of your finger up to the first knuckle) of your finger, on every one of your fingers. When you think of it that way, it's not very nice and very painful.
Please think of another way around getting the cat declawed.
Never get them declawed get a scratching post and put catnip on it then they will forget about the couch. That's what we did.
Imagine having someone remove the first bone where your nail is from all your fingers. This is what they remove when they declaw a cat.
Declawing is for when all other options have been exhausted.
A 3 year old cat will def. be miserable if you declaw her. However my mom had our 4 year old cat declawed and fixed, she was miserable but after 2 days of being home she was doing better. But for those 2 days she was on my mom's bed, we had to pretty much bring her food and water to her, because she didn't want to move [SPOILED cat]. Where I had my 6 month old cat declawed and as soon as she came home from the vet she was jumping everywhere she'd normally go. It didn't even seem like it bothered her much. If you declaw your kitty you better do it now while she's still a little young. The older they get the more miserable she'll be. It's true what they say it's like taking their first knuckle off, but thats because if they don't and you get her declawed the nails will grow back and wont grow back good - which will require more and more painful surgery. I only have the front 2 paws declawed - there's no reason to get all 4, just make sure you keep you kitty indoors.
I have had cats for years and this is a problem. But declawing a cat takes away her only defense. However, you can train her not to do her claws on your couch. There are a few methods. One is to take about 29 pennies and put them in a metallic container and shake it near her everytime she does this. Apparently the sound is enough to stop the habit. Another is to remove her physically every time she starts to and be consistent about it. Eventually, she will se that you mean business. Hope this helps.
To remove a cat's claws is far worse than to deprive cat owners of their fingernails. This is because the claws have so many important functions in the life of a cat. A declawed cat is a maimed cat, and anyone considering having the operation done to his pet should think again. People hastily declaw cats hoping to protect their furniture as well as themselves from potential scratches. It's natural for a cat to scratch, but with a little human effort, you can direct that energy so that you, your cat, and your furniture can comfortably live together.
Consider the facts. To begin with, it is important that every cat should keep itself well groomed. A smooth, clean coat of fur is essential for a cat's well-being. It is vital for temperature control, for cleanliness, for waterproofing, and for controlling the scent signaling the feline body. As a result, cats spend a great deal of time every day dealing with their toilet. In addition to the typical licking movements, they perform repeated scratchings. These scratching actions are a crucial part of the cleaning routine, getting rid of skin irritations, dislodging dead hairs, and combing out tangles in the fur. Without claws, it is impossible for any cat to scratch itself efficiently, and the whole grooming pattern suffers as a result. Even if the human owners help out with brush and comb, there is no way they can replace the sensitivity of the natural scratching response of their pet. Anyone who has ever suffered an itch that can't be scratched will sympathize with the dilemma of the declawed cat.
It has been argued that a declawed cat can learn to use its teeth more when grooming. It is true that cats often nibble an irritation rather than scratch it, but unfortunately, some of the most urgent scratching requirements are in the region of the head, mouth, neck, and especially, the ears. Teeth are useless here, and these important parts of the body cannot be kept in perfect condition with only clawless feet to groom them.
A second problem faces the declawed cat when it tries to climb. Climbing is second nature to all small felines, and it is virtually impossible for a cat to switch off its urge to climb, even if it is punished for doing so. And punished it certainly will be if it attempts to climb after having its claws removed, for it will no longer have any grip in its feet. Even the simple act of climbing up onto a chair or a window ledge may prove hazardous. Without the pinpoint contact of the tips of the claws, the animals may find themselves slipping and crashing to the ground. The expression of disbelief and confusion that is observed on the faces of such cats as they pick themselves up is in itself sufficient to turn any cat lover against the idea of claw removal. If the cat accidentally gets out of doors, it is defenseless against enemies (other cats in a cat fight, dogs, mean humans, etc.). In addition, scratching offers psychological comfort through its rhythmic action, and reassurance of self-defense by the contraction of the claws.
In addition to destroying the animal's ability to groom, climb, defend itself against rivals, and protect itself from enemies, the operation of declawing also eliminates the cat's ability to hunt. This may not be important for a well-fed family pet, but if ever such a cat were to find itself lost or homeless, it would rapidly die of starvation. The vital grab at a mouse with sharp claws extended would become a useless gesture.
In short, a declawed cat is a crippled, mutilated cat, and no excuse can justify the operation.
I would honestly rethink and research declawing more! It's extremely painful for cats, most people assume it's like clipping fingernails and it's not! In fact, I do believe it is illegal in Britain to declaw cats. Please re-think this option. One thing you may want to try is going to Pet-co or another similar pet supplies store and buying a product called "No-Mark" which completely eliminates a cats desire to scratch wherever you spray it. I've had great success with it and of course it's cheaper than declawing!
Well, I don't like cats, but if you've put up with the behavior for 3 years already, why should you mutilate the animal now? Buy a throwcover or find a cat psychologist.
After having "parented" over a dozen cats in my life, I have stopped doing it once the procedure was explained to me. It is a very traumatizing and vicious act. It has been explained to you already so I will spare you the agony and details. There IS another option. It's called soft paws. They are adhesive tips for cats nails that will not allow them to shred. It's kinda like press on nails for women and they last upwards of 6 months. I opted not to have my cats declawed anymore and use pheromones, a carpeted scratching post and a squirt gun to enforce where they can and cannot scratch. Please don't declaw your baby. Especially at that age. And I said parented because I don't own any animals, I just raise them and let them keep me company.
I have had cats all my life. my Dad took a photo of me as a toddler carrying a cat by the neck!
and I have never ever had to or heard of anyone declawing their cat or kitten. ouch, I'm cringing.
I would get rid of the couch and start afresh training my cat not to claw furniture. I used a spray bottle of water for training.
Declawing is very painful for a cat. A lot of times after the cat is declawed It will never be able to walk properly. There are also tons of complications evolved which might need medical treatment. Buying a new couch will seriously cost you less money!
Here's a suggestion. Buy a new couch, you will be saving money! BUT keep the old one somewhere like in your basement so your cat can scratch at it still. If that's not an option, than save some material from that old couch and attach it to your cat's scratching post,. Cats have preferences about what surfaces to scratch. Your cat seems to like whatever material your couch is made out of so putting it on the scratching post will promote her to use the scratching post instead..
There is a lot of people out there that will say never do that, but I say it is up to you and what you think. It is ok to declawed your cat. At any age.
Shame on your vet and shame on you for event thinking of declawing your cat. Removing their claws is equivalent to removing humans finger tips - would you like that done to you? I doubt it! Instead, purchase the claw covers (your vet should sell them, or go to a pet store) and put them on her claws. If she will not let you then have the vet do it. They last for several months and will be much less expensive than the traumatic surgery to your cat, save your furniture from further damage, and keep your cats paws intact so she will be able to take care of herself when needed, such as grooming, or for self defense if she gets outside.
Do not de-claw your cat. It is a very painful recovery for them. When they are de-clawed not only do they take out their nails but they also cut off pieces of their paws. So the cat won't be able to walk for a long period of time. Just be patient with her she'll learn my cat used to be that way.
Go to this website and look for yourself:
http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.
Is any age worth this? And read the testimonials, too.
Anytime. WIth all the alternatives, all it takes it the caring of the owner to use these alternatives and not maim the cat for what they naturally do.
Training does not happen overnight, and only costs consistency.
Spraying with citrus oils on the surfaces.
Covering surfaces with tinfoil or double-sided tape
Getting scratching posts and every time kitty scratches, putting them on there.
A tin with a few coins to rattle when they do scratch
A water-spray also works well.
And all these are still cheaper than the surgery.
If you do go for surgery, ask your vet to have you there, and that you'd like to see the cat in the recovery cage, womething they don't generally let the owners see - I doubt you will do that to a cat again. Generally after they 'recover' and are given meds is the first time owners see their cats, therefore they think it's all fine.
The cat can then never groom properly again since parts are only accessible with claws. That also controls its body temperature, its scent signals, skin irritations
The cat will very likely have or form aggression issues.
Not to mention secondary infections
Your cat your will then also be susceptible to back problems, arthritis, joint problems and other foot problems that he would not otherwise face 鈥?because declawing results in a gradual weakening of the back, shoulder and leg muscles? Did the vet mention that cats walk on their toes, not the pads of their feet, and declawing forces them to walk in an unnatural way?
They will not be able to defend themselves against dogs and will not be able to get away from dogs (we had such a case here on Yahoo, proven fact that cat jaws and hind legs are no match for a dog's jaws).
Most likely there will be litterbox problems.
It's mostly a USA thing to declaw cats - why do you think almost the rest of the civilised world has outlawed it?
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