Hello everyone.

This is a very touchy subject for most cat people, but, without giving my thoughts, what do you all think?? You all have cats or know people that have cats and I would like a wide range of answers. In a week or so I´ll post my thoughts unless there´s a lot coming in.

Thanks.

Strictly a personal decision but if you have several cats, and (hopefully) they are indoor a good idea.  There are vets that do a good job and don’t mangle the toes.  Usually just the front claws so they don’t dstroy things with scratching.  I have had dozens of cats declawed and never had a problem, hope this helps.
Marian

Hmm....I’d have to disagree. There are so many products on the market today (sticky strips, nail caps, etc.) that declawing a cat is not the only option anymore. If you start clipping the nails when the cat is pretty young, in my experience they seem to tolerate it much better. As W. Marian Lilttle stated, it is a personal decision, however I don’t want to put my cats through what I think is an unnecessary surgery. Also, I have a very rambunctious 1 year old kitty who manages to escape fairly often, and I’d hate to think what would happen to him if he came across another animal and couldn’t defend himself.

Things are done so much better today and it makes life so much easier for everyone.  If the cat gets out than maybe not such a good idea.  I would guess that mine, especially the M.coon would have them off in a second, she loves to chew. 

As I said a very personal decision, to each his own.

Hi everyone. In one simple answer, I think it is absolutely crazy to declaw a cat. My main reason being, OUCH! My second reason being that no matter how much of an indoor dweller your cat is, there is a possibility of your cat slinking outside. Now, I know there are some big cats out there, but you rarely hear the story of the cat winning the DOG-CAT fight. Lets give our kittys a fighting chance; CLAWS! Great for scratching, great for climbing, great for digging! If its your furniture your worried about, dont get a cat, get a rat.

All 4 of my cats are declawed.  They are indoor cats and it hasn’t stopped them from getting anywhere.  In my opinion I’d rather have a declawed well loved cat then leave it in a shelter alone.  I certainly feel that it is much better to haave it done when the cat is a kitten.  I combine it with the spay/neuter surgery.

As I have said before, to each his own.  You can have cats and nice furniture too!
When I had five cats, it would have been a disaster here.  I do it when young too, during spay/neuter and never had a problem and their toes look fine.

My stepmom declawed both of her new little siamese kittens and my dad told me the kittens were fine the next day so maybe it’s not as bad of a procedure as I imagine it to be. I just know for my little “houdini” kitties that escape pretty often, its not a solution for me. Also, luckily for me, clawing has never been an issue in my house. I have a couch made out of microsuede, and they show no interest in scratching it whatsoever. I guess the smooth texture just isn’t appealing for them to dig their claws in to. I do have a couple of good rope scratching posts, and that seems to keep them perfectly satisfied.

That is wonderful and so glad for you. You have some great kitties there and with all the toys and scratching posts it has worked for you.  Yay!

I’ve heard both ways that it either hurts them a lot or that it’s like nothing . . . I guess we’ll never know unless the kitties start talking.  I personally am not getting Herman declawed, because in a few years I’d like to have a dog too, and that way he’ll be able to tell the dog, “no!” if he gets too playful. 
We never declawed any of our cats when I was growing up because they were inside/outside.  I think if your cat is going to go outside, claws are a must, in case she/he ever gets into a tangle with another animal, or just feels safer scampering up a tree.

I think I am all talked out on this subject.  Believe me, even with a dog the cats can take care of themselves without their front claws.  Safer too.

WE HAVE 3 LONG HAIRED CATS AND 2 SHORT HAIRS.  I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT GETTING THEM DE-CLAWED, BUT DECIDED NOT TO.  THEY ARE ALL IN DOOR CATS, BUT THE FEAR IS IF THEY GOT OUT HOW WOULD THEY CLIMB THE TREE?  ALSO IF THE CATS DON’T HAVE FRONT NAILS, THEN THE NEXT WAY FOR THEM TO PROTECT THEMSHELVES IS TO BITE AND THAT MEANS LITTLE KIDS COULD GET BITTEN.

I repeat there are many reasons to declaw or not declaw and it is a very personal decision.  I think we are beating a dead horse here.  Please, do what you feel is right.  As for biting, can’t say, either is not pleasant.

Please don’t de-claw your cats.  Sorry to be gross, but it t’s the equivalent of someone cutting off your fingertips up to the first knuckle.  Not only is the claw removed, but the surrounding muscle that makes the claw retract and detract. And you’ll notice a lack of muscle development in the front legs.  I’d rather live with a few scratch marks on my couch and rug than mutiliate my companions.

Hello, I am a new member to the forum.  The topic of declawing brings out strong reactions in people.

My experience, I would NEVER do it to a cat again! The first and only time I declawed a cat, it was not good! My cat was people friendly, would come and be petted, purr, etc. Then I decided to declaw her front paws, as she scratched the funiture. (She was the first cat I had, what did I know of options?) She from that point on, would always hide when someone came around, It turned her into a scardy-cat. And was nervous all the time. I felt so bad, really. What had I done to her?
That was many years ago, she is gone. But I do now have two short haired cats, and all I do to their front nails is trim them. They do not mind it a bit. They scratch on the furniture, but does minimal damage, Also they had one of those sisal rope scratch things, which they do use.
I do not recommend to people declawing a pet cat. Trimming the nails has worked well for me!

I think it depends on the circumstances. If you have a cat that scratches on everything except its scratching post then declawing might be considered. I’ve had declawed cats (front only) and never had a problem. It doesn’t impair their walking or jumping; and their paws look fine. However, I wouldn’t declaw a cat that goes outdoors or a cat that doesn’t claw everything just for the heck of it. As for nail caps I’ve used them before. Don’t even bother. They are expensive and only last a few days before they start falling off. Same with the sticky pads. I know I’m not having a couch that’s covered in tape. Cats are intelligent, if you put a sticky pad on the corner of your couch they still have the rest of the couch to destroy.
Right now I’m fortune enough to have cats that don’t attack my furniture. I clip their nails regularly to keep from getting scratched when they jump on me. They get used to it pretty quickly and it’s easy to do since their quick is visible.