Laser Declawing

Posted on October 11, 2005 by Christi

We recently got our second cat laser declawed. Our first cat it went pretty smoothly with only a slight infection afterwards. We had highly reccomended it because its supposed to be significantly less painful for cats and when they come home the only thing special you need to do for them is use a special kind of litter. They are not supposed to have any pain and there is not supposed to be any blood or treatment after the surgery. With our first cat that was pretty much the case but with our second cat after 3 days he was still favoring his paws and therefore we needed to take him back in. He is now on morphine and has broken open 4 of his wounds since his surgery. He doesn’t seem to care and I probably worry more then he notices it as it doesn’t slow him down. If I had to look at reccomending laser declawing I would still reccomend it I just would warn you even if there isn’t supposed to be any problems after the surgery it all depends on each cat that has it done some will and some won’t but it definitely does not seem to slow the cats down at all.

362 thoughts on “Laser Declawing”

Deb on October 23, 2008 at 5:51 pm said:

Tracy, what the hell does abortion have to do with declawing? That’s right, absolutely nothing! How can you even compare the two? As wrong as abortion is, the fact of the matter is that the fetus does not feel any pain until the brain and nerves are completely developed. In your comparison, it would be the same thing as declawing an unborn kitten.
Vickie on October 20, 2008 at 11:18 pm said:

Tracey,
Very well said!!!!!
I had my ragdoll declawed when she was spayed. I have very bad allergic reactions to cat scratches, and also have exotic birds who are out of the cage during the day. They enjoy playing together, but the risk was too high with her claws. I also had problems with her climbing up the pant legs of guests and my grandchildren.
She was jumping and running two days later as if nothing was done.
I have been a paramedic for years, and animals are no different then humans when it comes to medical procedures. Not all do as well for a variety of reasons.
Everyone is allowed freedom of speech, and the right to voice it. Some just do not know when not to cross the line.
Vickie
Vickie on October 20, 2008 at 10:59 pm said:

Jan,
GET A LIFE!!!! We all should be as “holy” as you!
I own a Ragdoll, and how dare you “preach” to anyone about ethics! You have done what all Ragdoll breeders have tried to avoid…having someone mix breed them. Making quite a “bundle” off that are we?
I am on the Board of a Exotic Bird Rescue. A large part of our mission is EDUCATION, not making people feel guilty for something they have done. Unless it is a cruelty case, and declawing is a personal decesion one makes on particular circumstances.
Some cats are NOT trainable, and not everyone wants everything in the house destroyed. This also effects “families”, not just the people, you are verbally attacking. INSULTING…DUH!!
Before you judge others, take a look at what you have done.
I will not respond back to you, because you are not worth my time.
You really need to evaluate your mental status.
People who are genuine about humans or animals, do not insult and condem people like you do.
Tracy on October 6, 2008 at 2:23 pm said:

Redhawk, that is the most ludicrous thing I’ve ever heard….how the heck do you know that “EVERY Step causes PAIN for the rest of a cat’s life”???? If you think we can’t tell that they’re really not in pain, how can you tell that they really ARE in pain? There’s no proof to either statement since cats can’t communicate to us and say “Hey Redhawk, I could really use an aspirin, my paws hurt because I no longer have the first digit of my toes!”

And for those who argue cats need their front claws to scratch and have to suffer from an itch they can’t scratch. HEEELLLO, have you ever seen a cat scratch with their front claws? NO, they use their back feet, always have, and always will.
Tracy on October 6, 2008 at 9:17 am said:

I have a question for all you animal activists out there. How many of you have had abortions? How many of you are pro-choice? How hypocritical if you answer yes to these questions!!!! How do you feel about babies being ripped apart and burned alive in their mothers’ wombs because it’s inconvenient for the mother to have a child. TALK ABOUT INHUMANE! So, don’t even try to make people feel guilty for removing a cat’s claws in order to keep them as a safe and happy indoor pet!!! At least vet’s are kind enough to use anasthetics and pain medication. What about the poor babies! Tell me that! If you’re going to gripe and cry about being kind to all creatures great and small, at least be consistent!
Sue on October 6, 2008 at 2:01 am said:

I took my two cats to CAT CARE 770-424-6369 they are located in Marietta, GA. Its a nice office and they only specialize in cats. The laser-declawing was $200 per cat for the front paws. My cats are doing great. I think it was harder on me that it was to them. Honestly though if i would have had any other option i would have NEVER done it, but i tired everything else before making my decision and i just had to do it.
ALison on October 5, 2008 at 9:30 pm said:

Where can this laser claw removal be done?? I live in Atlanta and can not find a place that performs this service.

Any help would be appreciated
Miriam on October 1, 2008 at 9:55 am said:

I’ve seen folks justify declawing by saying “hey, we circumcise infant humans, so what’s the big deal about declawing cats?” Wouldn’t the better perspective be that circumcision is barbaric, and should no more be performed than declawing? Note: I’m not taking a stand either way, just noting that the logic appears to be backward. If you don’t see circumcision, a medical procedure with no clinically proven benefit, as barbaric, then of course you won’t see declawing as such.
Jennifer on September 30, 2008 at 8:04 pm said:

I have a 6 month old cat her name is Callie. I am wanting to get her spayed and get the laser declaw done. I have heard alot of good things about it. I like the fact that you all are being honest about the fact that it really just depends on the cat if they will get an infection or not. I have been wondering if I am doing the right thing but I can’t have my house all tore up because of her and I love her soo much to get rid of her she is like my baby she follows me everywhere. She even loves water I thought that was weird ever since she was a baby she has gotten in the shower with me , my husband and even in the bath with me. One day i came home to find the water running in the sink here she turned it on.She is smart she is a calico:)she is my sweetheart:)anyway i am 99% sure I am going to follow through with these upcomming surgeries for her:)
Thanks!! Jennifer
Samantha on September 27, 2008 at 11:18 am said:

I just got a 4 year old female cat from the humane society to be a companion to my male cat after his friend Emma died. 🙁 My cats were both declawed, but the one I got from the humane society wasn’t. She is very good w/ her claws and uses a scratching mat rather than my furniture, but unfortunately she does use them when jumping on things….such as my lap. This wouldn’t be that big of a deal, except I have found out the hard way I am very prone to infection. She jumped on my lap and pulled herself up the rest of the way using her claws, I had pj’s on but her claw still knicked me…a knick I tell you. Anyway, I was back and forth to the Dr 4X! The thing was so infected it was the size of a softball and they were worried it was MRSA staph infection. I was told I have to get rid or her or have her declawed due to my suspectability to infections. They even had me on 3000mg worth of antibiotics a DAY! It was craziness. Anyway, I still have a huge scar that is trying to heal, and I am scared to have her around me cuz of course she wants to jump up. It’s such a stress, and I hate to have her declawed being she is 4 yrs old, but I don’t want to bring her back to the humane society…she was there for two months before I adopted her and being a common calico cat, I don’t think she has much of a chance for readoption…and they do put cats down. The vet I usually go to costs $400 for a declaw (I have to do all 4 since she pushes off when jumping off of me which scratches me up too) but I found a different vet that does it for $100 w/o laser. In the past 3 months I have had over $3000 in vet bills w/ my cat dying and with the new cat needing multiple meds and vet visits for really bad ear mites and ear infections, and worms, and then infecting my cat w/ mites and worms…it’s all been a headache, but I want to stick it out and get her all straightened out rather than returning her after I invested so much…not to mention she has a health plan too which would cost me money to cancel. So, needless to say, I can only afford the $100 one but I am worried it won’t be the best and she will be mortified to be declawed. Ug, anyway, someone tell me it is ok to have her declawed and w/o the laser procedure. Thanks
Shawna on September 25, 2008 at 12:23 pm said:

To those interested in Laser Declawing in Los Angeles, Rainbow Vet in Burbank off Empire Ave. does the procedure. It’s about $500.
It’s obvious that this is a controversial subject, but I think it can go either way. Obviously the best choice would be to not have the surgery and use another method. But I believe even though it sounds inhumane, this procedure has been done for years and most cats go about their lives as if nothing happened. It sounds like in some cases cats do have after-effects, maybe arthritis and pain, which is sad. I have 2 cats, one was declawed before I got him and the other not declawed. Both are exactly the same, no difference. I don’t see sadness or bitterness in the declawed one, in fact he is more affectionate than the one with claws. Everyone needs to make the best decision for them. Also to the people on here defending animal rights, it’s commendable that you want to protect defenseless animals, but it’s ironic that you treat humans rudely and attack people’s individual rights. The emails on here with the most hate and attack are from the ones who love animals. Show humans some love too & be more accepting. Give your opinion in a respectful way, then let it go.
D on September 21, 2008 at 4:13 pm said:

I have cat who is declawed. – I regret it. He is a feral cat and the vet threatened me and said I would get sued if I did not declaw him. I should have walked out. Apparently, when I left him with her and she tried to give him a shot- (he was getting fixed) he attacked her. I know he is a bit bigger and smarter than the average cat, but hey I think I would have fought back too. I raised him from the time he was so little he could not even hold his head up. His mom died on the side of the road- we speculated that a breeder may not have gotten what they wanted and dropped off mom and the kittens (we think there were only two). He is very intelligent, is as long as my torso, can walk on a harness, and was full grown by six months. He opens doors and has even very cleverly watched as we play board games – he and my sister fight like brother and sister- he waited until she moved her piece and then cleverly jumped to the board and knocked her piece off and took off. We all laughed hysterically. He is like my child and I have regretted it every day and it was wrong. He deserves better than that. I don’t care about the furniture more. I would throw out my couch to get his claws back. Since he has no fear of most other animals- I feel bad knowing that he could stand up to a large dog and be in trouble trying to defend himself. He will always be feral and rules even over the dogs in our house. Next time, someone tells me what to do with my animal- I will tell them where to go.
I suggest buying scratching posts and putting them next to the areas they normally scratch. Rub some catnip on it. Good luck.
Sue on September 8, 2008 at 11:53 am said:

I have two cats that i love dearly and they both have destroyed my new furniture, scratched my doors, walls, etc…

I am against declawing, but i have tried everything, sprays, tapes, scratch post in every corner, water (they like water) and i don’t know how to traing them if i am not on them 24-7. I don’t want to lock them up in a room, and i would hate to declaw them.

Soft paws are a great alternative that i have tried but they dont last very long. I still hate the fact of declawing them but i think i am going to have to.

Were can i find more alternatives?
Liz E. on September 7, 2008 at 5:38 am said:

I’ve worked 16 years now as a vet technician, so I have seen many declaws, both the old way and the new (laser).

I try to talk people out of it if I can, and most, who really care about their animal, will listen, and also thank me later. clawed cats trained with respect to their species are a totally different pet, and people used to declawed cats their whole life really notice this. Personalities are way better, their cats will play and stay younger far into their teens.

Decclawed cats, to me are maimed animals, it’s so sad to see people still doing this with all the helpful info out their, it really is.
Jan on August 19, 2008 at 7:34 pm said:

Running and jumping like crazy??? Ohhhh Yeahhh…. Are these fals emails for REAL?
Don’t believe them people, they are NOT.
Don’t EVER declaw a cat or kitten, if you can’t or don;t have the simple intelligence it takes to manage them as they are …
DON’T GET ONE!!!!!!!!!!
Connie on August 19, 2008 at 1:01 pm said:

Don’t worry Mimi. Every cat reacts a little differently after surgery. My 6 month old kitten was declawed a week and a half ago. The day he came home, he was holding his right paw up after walking. I checked with the vet just in case but he told me it was normal for the first couple days. He was right. That quickly passed, and kitty is again running and jumping like crazy. He’s back to his lovable, cuddly self. 🙂
Mimi on August 18, 2008 at 7:20 am said:

Sue, Your information is very helpful. I am watching her and she seems better. Declawing was the safest option for us because my kitten has scratched my dog in the eyes and caused some injuries to him. I would of course not declaw a cat without reason, and my reason was safety. I also have small children. Hopefully my kitten and family can all enjoy a safe home. I would, like yourself, never surrender an animal to a shelter because of illness. We love her dearly and only want all of us to be happy.
Jan on August 18, 2008 at 5:23 am said:

OK, Sue, that is very admirable, so why the wicked, claws out retort? What does your dedication have to do with mine? Whose toes am I stepping on anyway? Certainly not anyone’s who respects the rights of animals. Certainly not anyone who morally and ethically maintain (unselfish) kindness.
Sue VDB on August 17, 2008 at 7:31 pm said:

Well, Jan, for your info, over the past 47 years I have had various cats and dogs, many with severe issues and I have never, ever given up one of these animals. I have dealt with each issue, some of them so traumatized they never fully recovered, but they are mine until they pass over. So keep your polluted meanderings to yourself.
Jan on August 17, 2008 at 6:48 pm said:

Of course i can’t even fathom anyone putting their poor pets through tis because of their own laziness or refusal to educate themselves. It’s barbaric and unbelievable…but…they will learn, and later on, when they began seeing the REAL repercussions of their actions, too late, too late for kitty and too late for the owner-
they usually just end up putting them in the paper free to a good home, where they undergo more torture and problems with a new home that also does not understand the dire problems associated (sometimes later) with a declawed cat-or euthanized by the shelter who cannot find a home for a cat that is no longer a whole cat and doesn’t trust strangers. Shame on you (IF this letter is for real, and I doubt it- it is just free advertisement for vets with expensive laser machines that want to retrieve their money-LOL)
Sue Van De Berghe on August 17, 2008 at 4:19 pm said:

Mimi, I had Frankie laser declawed August 11 and picked him up August 12. He has been his normal self. In fact I have had to keep a close eye on him so he doesn’t do a lot of jumping. He has used his special litter without a problem, scratching it up to beat the band. I have not had one problem with him, acting like a normal cat. He had two doses of pain meds while at the vet and none since. In fact the vet would not have let me bring him home if he had pain.
Mimi on August 17, 2008 at 8:17 am said:

I have a 5 month old maine coon cat. I adore her and struggled with the decision to have her declawed by laser. She is an indoor cat and of course refused to use the scrathing post not matter how much I tried to train her. She began to destroy the furniture and rugs. She had the surgury 4 days ago. Yesterday she began to shiver and had rapid breathing. I brought her back to the Vet. She had a >104 temp and was diagnosed with an infection. She was also spayed at the same time as the declaw surgury. The Vet said she did not know what was causing the infection.She seems better today, she has had 2 doses of antibiotics. She has pain in her paws and appears to have some nerve pain, ie; extenting her front leg quickly and shaking her paws after walking. I am terrified she may have nerve damage. Is this normal for her to be shaking the paws? Does anyone know if this is normal healing? Please if someone has any information please respond. Thank you.
Jan on August 12, 2008 at 6:58 am said:

As a change of pace, and, yes, to keep all you declaw advocates at bay for just a moment, please read what acual caring Veterinarians have to say among themselves…
(noticing in the past that those who attacked me do not use their REAL names for obvious reasons, I have chosen to leave out the names of these vets, as they would not apreciate your vicious attacks, also their comments are NOT made against YOU, but amongst themselves in REAL concern for the animal)
Below, please read the actual discussion between professional veterinarians (concerning pain and management)
International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management

From L.H S. DVM
I was surprised as I went through that entire discussion on declaws that no one ever mentioned the use of Soft Paws,which we use regularly, especially on kittens if the owner is thinking about a declaw at the spay/neuter. Also, what about the long term implications on the cat as regards altered weight bearing, as we have just amputated a weight bearing portion of their foot?

From Dr. C.N
I am somewhat surprised by some of the commentary I have read regarding declaws. And to be honest, I am uncertain as to how to reply. Although I am strictly a small animal Vet, I do not do declaws. Perhaps some of my bias against it has to do with culture, I was raised in Europe, where as you all know-tail docks, ear crops, declaws, shock collars, invisible fences (and in some countries choke collars) and the like are thought to be somewhat barbaric procedures. And further, the thought that these procedures are performed so routinely and unfortunately too often without the most optimal pain relief seems even more barbaric. I often times think of the phrase “and above all do no harm”-is that not our mission??? I feel that we are called upon to act in the best interest of our patients. Regardless of how I personally feel about these procedures-as professionals we are obligated to provide them with complete pain relief, most especially, if the pain we are inflicting upon them is to serve their owners sense of their best interest. Are we not???? I also feel that we need to take the time and inform clients what a declaw is. And as many of you have expressed-many clients are surprised that is it an amputation and not just a “short nailtrim” of some sort. And when informed-will decline the procedure.
Let me also answer some of the other questions that were raised regarding potential differences between Europeans and Americans (although of course, I shouldn’t speak for a whole continent).

I had NEVER heard of a declaw until I came to the US . Having lived both in S. America and Europe . I was astounded that such a thing was done, as were most of my friends/relatives when I told them about it (some were even vets). It also astounded me greatly that it seemed that people took it so casually. Most cats I grew up with were strictly indoors, people trained their cats against unwelcome scratching to the best of their ability. But in essence, a cat scratching, a dog barking etc are seen as NORMAL behaviors for those breeds and facts that you live with (And train against to the best of your ability). I should rephrase that— cats scratching, dogs barking are expected behaviors. “correcting” these behaviors surgically merely for your own sense of comfort and convenience is in essence seen as barbaric!

I apologize for my long e-mail, but felt the need to address some of the questions posted regarding differences between Europeans and American thoughts on declawing Thank you all for contributing to my growth

From Dr. F.G:
I do like these discussions because they are important to continually evaluating our profession.
I’ll preface my post with admitting that I’m speaking as an armchair clinician (meaning I’m not in clinical practice at the present time) and that I was trained in New Zealand where declaws are not legal – and I agree with that legislation.
If your argument is correct, then countries where declaws are illegal (i.e, New Zealand, UK, and others) will have, with regards cats, 1) worse human-animal bonds, 2) worse medical care and quality or homes, 3) more disease and trauma, and 4) poorer general care, than here in the US.
I can speak for New Zealand and say that is not correct. I suspect the same is for the UK and others.
Why is the US so different? Maybe there’s a good reason that I am just unaware of.

M.E.E. Dvm
Similarly, while 20 years ago ear crops and tail docks were common procedures here in the States, today – while not illegal as in other countries – most practitioners do not do them. In other words, cosmetic procedures are fast disappearing as cultural (and breeder/show folks) attitudes change and as the pool of practitioners able and willing to do them is lost to retirement and attrition. Similarly, it seems to me that this same trend has been occurring with regards to declaws, and will eventually, over time, continue to be reduced to a very low level of incidence, or perhaps eventually, eliminated. So you see, we Americans, while a little slow on the uptake sometimes, aren’t always as thick as we sometimes appear.
—————————-

This From a question and Answer forum on pets: The answer is not from a veteriarian, but from an animal behaviorist…(names left out)
How does declawing a cat effect it?
Question: Can a cat turn nasty from being declawed, most cats that I know are quite mean afterwards. is this common?
Thanks!
Answer: You meant affect, I am sure.
Absolutely DO NOT de-claw your cat. It is a cruel and horrible thing to do. You can teach a cat to be gentle with their claws, there isn’t any need to declaw a cat. There is a website that in detail, explains what declawing a cat REALLY means. This is coming from a vet mind you, so she knows what she’s talking about. This is the site: http://www.declawing.com/

“Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat’s claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your cat’s claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat’s “toes”. When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing.”

It’s mutilation. If you can’t bear the responsibility of caring for a cat as it is, then you don’t deserve to be a cat owner. Anyone who does this, then claims to love their cat is just downright disgusting.
Jan on August 12, 2008 at 4:30 am said:

Congratulations!

You’ve both just joined millions of other cat owners who also found good reason to amputate part of their pet’s toes. How wonderful, kind, and inovative of you. And now there are thousands of other declaw advocates that will pat you on the back and tell you how OK it is and how you didn’t hurt your kitty one bit, and that you truly made the right decision. Bravo!

Well I won’t sit here and attempt to *disgust* anyone with the truth, nor will I defend my position with childish attacks such as I (and anyone else that isn’t giving you a pat on the back)have recieved here. Your own hateful words tell more about you than you could possibly know. Retract your claws, people, they’re much more dangerous than your poor cats’ were.

I am sure your experience with your vet and his/her laser machine was a very worthwhile investment, so if you need another pat on the back, your vet will give it to you, after all, you just paid them plenty for that. Your cat won’t give you it’s opinion, because you wouldn’t understand anyway.

Good Luck, and once again, congratulations!
Sue Van De Berghe on August 11, 2008 at 10:24 am said:

Frankie came to my house 3 months ago as a stray. I suspect when someone moved out they left this sweet cat behind. Last month I had him neutered, vaccinated and blood work. I do not believe in outdoor cats, but already had 4 animals in my house. Within the last week he has come into my house. He is sweet, but he is a swatter. My 6 year old grandson has petted him nicely and talked to him. Frankie has swatted him several times leaving scratch marks on his face and legs. Because Frankie is moving in with my grandson and his mother I decided to have him laser declawed. I feel really guilty but have to think of my grandson too. I chose this method because it is not as painful and recovery time is minimal. I will keep him at my house for a few days until he can use regular litter as there are 2 other cats at his new home.
JDC on August 8, 2008 at 12:07 pm said:

I haven’t taken the time to read through this long lasting debate, but I wanted to share my very recent experience with laser declawing. I’ve had my cat for a little over two years…it was actually a present from my wife at Christmas. We both love her immensely and treat her extraordinarily well.

I don’t feel the need to justify, but we made the decision to have her declawed with a laser due to the fact we are having our first child in 3 weeks, and also due to the major damage inflicted on our furniture. Like many on here, we’ve tried a whole host of alternatives before reaching this decision.

I went to a vet in the Nashville area that had a great deal of experience with laser declawing. He sat us down and talked to us about the procedure, and was extremely helpful.

My cat had the procedure down on Wednesday morning, and today (Friday morning) she is acting EXACTLY like she did before. Even when I first picked her up 24 hours ago, she was running and jumping (although you really have to try to keep them calm because they aren’t fully healed). I was very skeptical about the process, but I am absolutely stunned at the results. I wasn’t happy with the decision initially, as I didn’t want her to suffer any pain, but after seeing the results, I’m very comfortable with the decision.

I’m sure experiences will differ, but I really could not be any happier. She didn’t even favor her front paws at any point! She is chasing balls of paper, and still taking naps on my chest when I lay on the couch. I even rubbed her front paws today with my hand, and she just purred and didn’t even flinch.

Again, I’m sure some will have different experiences, but I did not see any sign of pain or behavioral change in my cat.

Jan, save your breath and don’t respond to me. People like you disgust me. You won’t even entertain the other side, and instead just lash out at any one who makes the decision to declaw. You’re setting the anti-declaw movement back with each post.
Jan on August 6, 2008 at 5:41 pm said:

Yeah, connie-Unfortunatly I met far too many like you

In the last 14 years, I’ve had three cats declawed and all have turned out fine. And what is your platform for this knowledge that ehy have *turned out fine*– ? That they haven’t done anything to offend you?
Well YOU HAVE done PLENTY to offend them! The first two have passed on but lived happy and perfectly normal lives. The third cat is now 5 years old and does everything that any other cat does. My six month old kitten is getting declawed on Monday and I am confident that everything will work out fine for him too.
You, my dear, are a piece of work-I am not wishing you bad, since you do not think you are doing anything wrong, but what I wish for you is what you are treating your cats to. Nothing wrong with that , right?
Connie on August 6, 2008 at 1:59 pm said:

In the last 14 years, I’ve had three cats declawed and all have turned out fine. The first two have passed on but lived happy and perfectly normal lives. The third cat is now 5 years old and does everything that any other cat does. My six month old kitten is getting declawed on Monday and I am confident that everything will work out fine for him too.
Jan on August 6, 2008 at 5:16 am said:

Monica, your comments are in no way hateful or disrespectful. However, you can easily see the haters popping up like weeds in an untended garden.

What I have found interesting in this little blog, is the fact
1) that many posts are written by one person (one computer, #)
2) whenever anyone writes a factual entry pertaining to the cruelty of declaw, that person becomes # 1 enemy, nasty, hateful, crazy etc. and is under attack by multiple personality disorders, LOL

3) this is not a debate about whether or not it is cruel to take a kitten’s fingers or toes, that is just common sense, a given, anyone saying it isn’t cruel is simply in total denial, looking for a nod, an approval, (anyone who doesn’t approve is surely insane)…

Hmmm, what is wrong with this picture???? Anyone???
Jessica on August 5, 2008 at 5:36 pm said:

This comment is for Jan. I just want to thank you for all of your comments on this site. You have really helped me to make up my mind. I now realize that the bile and vitriol behind these mad attacks of yours are surely a sign of mental illness. As such, I clearly must disregard your posts as the ravings of a troll. Thanks for making the choice even more clear.
Barbara Bialy on July 27, 2008 at 11:23 am said:

Where in Chicago area can I find a vet that does laser declawing. I have a cat that attackes all my cats. If we can’t have this done, we will have to get rid of her. Help!!!!!
Monica on July 22, 2008 at 7:36 am said:

I did not state that you did not have compassion. I asked you “where is your compassion?” since you made reference to some people here not showing compassion to other people. I interpreted your post as a general attack on those who are trying to explain the issues surrounding the procedure. I haven’t yet found a vet that refers to 10 knuckle amputations as a minor procedure, but I have had them explain to me how painful it is.
Diana Farmer on July 21, 2008 at 7:07 pm said:

I stand corrected, your earlier comments were much less caustic, I based my response on your statement that I have no compassion. I think I have the right to respond to such a personal attack. By the way, I’m a vegetarian; since you are very adamant about animal treatment you probably are as well. If not, you might want to watch the movie “Fast Food Nation”.
Monica on July 21, 2008 at 10:29 am said:

Diana, one more thing. Before you continue to assume what my opinion is about declawing, please make reference to post #4692 from February 13, 2007. This post will explain to you where I stand when it comes to declawing.
Monica on July 19, 2008 at 1:38 am said:

Diana, there is absolutely nothing hateful about my post to you. You’re the one coming on here calling people “narrow-minded and hateful”. Why, because they may not agree with you? I am simply explaining to you what a minor procedure is, and it’s not declawing. Especially when the vets explain how painful it is for the them. You’re right about one thing, I don’t know you. Just like you don’t know me. And you obviously haven’t read my recent posts, as they are not hateful whatsoever. If you’re looking for hateful sounding posts, maybe you should read this page from the beginning!
Diana Farmer on July 18, 2008 at 9:44 pm said:

Monica’s comments are a prime example of the kind of rash, hateful and polarizing attitudes that are way too prevelant in our society. You ask “where is my compassion?”, you don’t even know me! You have no idea of the care I shower on my cats, my students, family, etc. as well as the time I donate to charities. I’d suggest you learn a little about civility, instead of condemning me because I disagree with your opinion. Well, I’m glad you at least can relate to cats, or so it seems.
By the way, I didn’t have to train my cat to have her claws trimmed as a kitten. I was just very patient and gentle, too bad I’m not compassionate.
arok on July 17, 2008 at 5:37 pm said:

^^ Unbelievable… Keep us posted if possible.
Jan on July 17, 2008 at 12:14 pm said:

ALL THE DECLAW ADVOCATES MIGHT FIND THIS INTERESTING…

State of Nevada Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
4600 Kietzke Lane, Bldg. O, #265
Reno, Nevada 89502
Re: Complaint against Elena M. Pederson DVM

Dear Sir or Madam:

My husband and I are avid cat lovers. We have one grand champion Siamese (that spent over 4 years in the show circuit) who is ten years old, and another cat we rescued from the humane society, who is five years old. We love our animals dearly, including “Romy” our new baby of the house and the subject of this complaint. Romy is an eight week old, healthy, mixed kitten. Suffice to say at this point our cats are truly members of our family.

In addition to the devotion we have for our animals, we are very, very much against a form of cat mutilation we call “declawing.” My other two cats have claws and they have had no problem with me trimming their nails and keeping them groomed when necessary. Romy was beginning to be trained this way as well. The thought of a cat getting declawed makes me physically ill. I have seen the procedure done, and I have witnessed problems that occur after. Allowing this form of mutilation upon animals, in my opinion, should be illegal. We all know there are alternative methods to keeping a cat from scratching, instead of removing their fingers right at the bone. While my political views at this point are possibly tiring to you, it does go to show that I would never put my animal through any of this.

At 7:30 a.m. on June 26, 2008, I took my eight week old, very healthy, female kitten “Romy” in for a regular spaying procedure at Advanced Animal Care. The kitten which I showed up with and the kitten I left with were completely different.

I showed up at Advanced Animal Care around 4:45 p.m. that afternoon to pick up Romy after her procedure. I was told when I arrived that it would be easier I paid right away, and then Dr. Elena Pederson would explain aftercare procedures to me. I paid a whopping $442 dollars, which I thought was rather excessive, but they assured me that it was due to the fact that I elected to get Romy’s surgery done with a laser, which was a bit more expensive, but cut down on the pain of the procedure. I then proceeded to the examination room to wait for Dr. Pederson. Romy was in her crate in the room.

Dr. Pederson entered the room a few minutes later and notified me that the surgery was successful. She then went on to explain what pain medication Romy was required to take and how often. She then paused … and stated “it was weird when she received Romy’s chart for surgery that day because it stated she was a male cat that needed to be neutered.” Taken aback for a moment, I sort of laughed it off and stated that “I hope they didn’t do that because otherwise the surgery wasn’t successful, as Romy is a female and does not have those parts.” Dr. Pederson paused again and then said she had to discuss another issue with me. At the same exact moment, she opened Romy’s cage and Romy came wobbling out, barely able to walk. Dr. Pederson informed me that the chart stated Romy was to be declawed as well.

I was hysterical and devastated to see my poor eight week old kitten barely able to move on the table. I started sobbing, as I knew she was in horrific pain. Dr. Pederson began to blame her staff for the mix-up and stated she had “high school students” doing the intake for the animals for surgery and they just simply “messed it up.” I then explained to her, in so many words, that I didn’t care who messed it up, it is her duty as a licensed veterinarian to confirm with the client that what is happening to the animal has occurred with informed consent They had not received my informed consent to rip my animals paws off: nor would they ever have.

Dr. Pederson reluctantly refunded my money, after various objections, and she stated that money isn’t the issue. At least I agreed with her at this point — there is nothing to fix what she did, it is irreversible. At that same notion, I was not going to be required to pay this woman for committing such a conversion.

Dr. Pederson had a duty as soon as she realized Romy was not a male and there even may have been some sort of a mix-up on the surgery table (which she admitted that there was) to get one of her “high school student” staff members to call me on the phone (at anyone of the three numbers they had for me and my husband) or better yet, to call me personally*. I have deep concern for any other person who brings in their beloved animal only to come out with something different, this cannot be tolerated.

There was no diligence at all in this case, not one person attempted to contact me. They simply mutilated my animal without a reasonable investigation, even after they knew that I had serious objections to such a procedure, as Romy had been seen twice by them prior to this day, and my objections were made loud and clear on both occasions and should have been noted on her chart. This was never done.
As well as my complaint to you regarding my botched up kitten, I will also be filing a lawsuit seeking damages. Though I do not believe it will make one bit of difference, as my kitten will never get her fingers back. At least I may be able to prevent this cruelty from happening again to someone.

*

I have requested my kitten’s chart from Dr. Pederson, but have yet to receive it, so I would appreciate being copied with the records from the Board, once they receive them, as well as being notified when the Board decides if they will take any disciplinary action against Dr. Pederson.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter and please feel free to contact me should you have any further question.

*

Very truly yours,

Mandy J. McKellar, Esq.

*

* See NAC 638.045 Malpractice, negligence and incompetence. (NRS 638.070,638.140)
1. Malpractice in the practice of veterinary medicine will be interpreted by the Board to include, without limitation, conduct which falls below the standard of care required of a licensed veterinarian under the circumstances which causes injury to an animal.
2. Negligence will be interpreted by the Board to mean a departure from the standard of practice of veterinary medicine.
3. Incompetence will be interpreted by the Board to mean a lack of knowledge, skill or ability in discharging a professional obligation. (Added to NAC by Bd. of Veterinary Med. Exam’rs, eff. 319-86; A 7-7-94; RI15-99, 12-7-99)
Monica on July 14, 2008 at 10:59 pm said:

DIANA, how can you in your right mind refer to 10 knuckle amputations as a “minor procedure”? Where is the logic behind that statement? We’re not talking about a cat going in for dental cleaning or getting a simple tooth extraction. Now those are minor procedures. As for the nail clipping tolerance, this is learned by starting during the kitten phase. But then again, I did get my adult stray cat to become tolerant as well with constant praise, treats, and kisses between clippings. By the way, where is your compassion?
Diana Farmer on July 14, 2008 at 10:11 pm said:

I clip my cat’s claws rather than having her declawed, but I realize that not all cats are as tolerant of this process. I did have a cat declawed many years ago and he never showed any sensitivity after the procedure. I have another cat that was declawed before I got her and is a happy and healthy cat.
I can’t believe that there are people so narrow-minded and hateful that they condemn someone for a relatively minor procedure that increases the chances a homeless cat will be placed in a loving home. Cruel? Cruel is leaving a cat in a cage or over-crowded shelter for years with a minimal amount of care and affection. That’s suffering over the long haul vs. a brief period of discomfort. It’s a shame that some people don’t show the compassion to other people that they claim to show to cats.
arok on July 7, 2008 at 10:10 am said:

fair enough. i’m sure you’re closer than i – ever the optimist. guess i just wanted to avoid confusion between passion and vitriol. thanks for your insight.

i wish people took pets more seriously. then again, some people don’t even take children seriously. very sad. we were all “trained” to be the way we are, some just not well and perpetuate that cycle. explains the struggle to train…a cat. mine gives high fives. cutest thing ever. 🙂
Jan on July 7, 2008 at 1:35 am said:

Arok!
Right you are, but my experience in a vet’s office where they declaw has brought me to afirm my thoughts on people who opt to declaw.
We try to educate people on proper training of the feline with PROPER tall posts and trees with the PROPER covering (berber,and or sisal)-
we even had two cats living there that were proof. bothe liked to scrach things, both were over 2 when they were rescued and both easily learned to use posts.
Still… SOME people just weren’t *interested*. One lady, after having her two beautiful chinchilla cats declawed (all 4 no less), came back into the office and complained the cats didn’t like to play with her kids anymore, started hiding, and besides she was tired of hair all over the place so did we know anyone who would like them? Free?

Most people who declaw have not come here to learn, they come here looking for others to give them the *OK*, or to reenforce their own decision to have it done…trust me on that one.
Jan on July 7, 2008 at 1:23 am said:

Thanks, Christine-

Declawing is CRUEL, PERIOD. I am sure you would *live* without your fingers too, you would *adjust*-maybe, but maybe not…or without your toes, now there’s a pleasant thought, eh?
Although declawing is compared to chopping off your fingers at the first knuckle, you still have appendage left, right? They Do not!

They use their front claws like FINGERS!
Use their back claws like toes (plus)

You really don’t need the mind of a genius to know declawing is cruel, but it’s funny how people will give all these lame excuses for a cruelty that is OUTLAWED IN 23 COUNTRIES/ That feline EXPERTS will tell you is wrong,wrong,wrong.

Actual fact # 1: * Most cats relinquished to shelters for behavioral reasons are there because of misuse of the litterbox, NOT clawing-75% of those euthanized for behavioral reasons are also DECLAWED! 25% of these are PUREBRED!

Actual fact # 2: When a cat is relinquished for *destruction of property*-if clawing comes to mind, you are mistaken, however if one Specifies destruction as the misuse of the litterbox by the majority of cats who have been declawed vs. those with claws intact, one would find this a true statement. More declawed cats actually lose their homes than clawed!

Actual Fact # 3: In MOST cases, owners don’t even give training a CHANCE! Scratching posts are a must to owning a kitten or cat, and can and do work in virtually ALL cases, IF the right one is used! NEVER get a cutesy fluffy scratching post aimed at *pleasing PEOPLE’S eyes* rather than a cat’s claws! Posts must be TALL, STURDY, covered in plain tight-weave carpet such as Berber, or sisal rope or fabric, and properly placed where it will be used! Cats are presented to veterinarians for declaw because veterinarians aren’t telling them it is totally UNNECESARY! People have been mutilating for decades now because the believe they MUST. So easy to TRAIN, so cruel to MAIM!

Actual Fact # 4 : The American Veterinarian’s Association fought the anit-declaw laws tooth and nail. Far too much money is being brought into clinics by declaw surgery to allow such a law to go into effect. The fact is, declawing is a CASH COW. Who will spear the Cash cow? THIS alone is the MAIN reason laws are being thwarted, NOT because it isn’t indeed a cruelty! When should cruelty be offered as a choice?

Actual Fact # 5: There IS no humane way to do 10 AMPUTATIONS! Although Laser surgery is less invasive in many surgery cases, with declaw, the result is the same, 10 painful amputations, amputations that will require immediate pain management meds just like the guillotine method! Long term effects will be the same, the cat is STILL minus integral and most important parts needed for it’s life’s function! With the astronomical cost of Laser machines one would hope there would be enough surgeries (other that the maiming of declaws) to warrant it’s expense.
Christine on July 3, 2008 at 11:27 am said:

Declawing is cruel. It is banned in most civilized countries. Why are we in America so far behind in the dark ages? So vets can make more money. Try chopping off your fingers at the knuckle and see how you feel before doing it to a cat.
aRok! on July 2, 2008 at 2:01 pm said:

I entirely understand what you’re saying. I work as a receptionist at a pet hospital and just recently took an inquiry about euthanizing a dog because the owner was fed up with dealing with ‘potty” training. There are many people who don’t deserve to own pets because they are so self-centered.

Alternately, this is a place for people to come to be educated. We should give them some credit for seeking information as it’s obvious they already live with the pet and are at a crossroads. Many don’t even go to that extent and we should appreciate that they care enough to seek the right decision.

Declawing is wrong, inhumane and painful and people need to know that. Save the extreme judgement attacks so as not to alienate people who obviously care enough to be here.

In the same respect, being too lazy to take the time to train your cat does not legitimize their suffering for your convenience. I was caught deep by a claw just the other day, but I was playing with the cat. I was having fun and so was he. It did hurt but I forgot to clip him and I don’t blame the cat for it’s inherent predator nature and my playing into that. Also, it took me no more than 2 weeks to train my 2 yr old to scratch a post instead of furniture. Not too rough and very easy if your cat appreciates love and treats. 🙂
Jan on July 2, 2008 at 8:52 am said:

Lisa, Thank you, for a very inteligent post!

The problem is, if people can’t take the time to train a pet they shouldn’t have one. The animal always suffers in the end, when they’re declawed, and later when they are *disposed of* because of not using the litterbox, biting, or other problems that crop up in years to come.

No, not all symptoms are recognisable by the average person not knowledgable about feline care and behavior, but if you fear the claws of a cat, please, DON’T GET ONE!

This is the 21st century, not the dark ages. We supposedly live in acivilized country where cruelty is prohibited, yet the money vets make by declawing, and a whining lazy pet owner don’t care that 23 other countries BAN it…why do ya suppose that is??? Hmmm?
Monica on June 13, 2008 at 11:03 pm said:

Cindy, a cat scratch is not “very painful”, as you put it. I used to get scratched all the time when the kittens where young and their nails not trimmed. I have a very low pain tolerance, and did not find them painful whatsoever. But I am sure that I would find it painful to get all my knuckles amputated. If you want to discuss pain, you really should look at the whole picture.
Cindy on June 13, 2008 at 4:11 pm said:

I am so sick of these nutso cat crazy rescue stay at home moms with nothing better to do that judge people all day long. GET A LIFE!!!! If someone wants there cat declawed then let it happen it is very painful to be scratched by a cat. I just bought my kitty last night and he was scratching the heck out of me last and I am seriously thinking this needs to be done. I have a six year old and his scratches hurt me and will be even worse for my son.
Andrew on May 20, 2008 at 12:35 pm said:

Chuck,

To find a vet who performs laser declaw, you may try this web site:

Good luck.
Chuck on May 2, 2008 at 2:59 pm said:

Thank you everyone for your help. I love my cat but must get him declawed as he still, even after nail trims, scratching posts, soft paws, etc., scratches the leather furniture, walls and carpet. The alternative is finding him a home or shelter. That would devastate my kids. So if anyone could point me the right direction for laser removel in the Boston area, I would appreciate it. Thanks
Lisa on April 8, 2008 at 3:32 am said:

None of my six are declawed. I have a house full of antiques, and I have never needed to replace any of it. Takes no time at all to teach them and keep them whole and natural. They’re spoilt, they’re loved, they are as nature intended, except for being fixed, every one of them.
Krista on March 8, 2008 at 12:04 pm said:

i was just reading over a few more comments and saw one from a while back from Nancy regarding dogs being loose and killing kittens dumped in her area out in the country. she mentioned there are no laws in the country to deal with this, but that is not true. it might depend on the are you live in so you should check with local law enforcement. where i live there are most certainly laws. a month and a half ago two dogs wandered into my yard and attacked my dog, they would have killed her had i not been there to fight them off. the owners of the dogs were cited for the dogs being off leash, off their property, not vaccinated, were arrested, had to pay my vet bills, and are going to court this month. they were fined $500.00 per dog for not being on a leash as well as other fines, i don’t remember all the details. every pet owner needs to be aware of the laws in their area. Also, please make sure your pets are microchipped. collars with tags can come off. i realize microchips can travel through the body and be hard to locate but i know the shelter i work at puts great effort into scanning everywhere for a chip. it is sad how many pets we have for adoption who obviously belonged to someone but had no id. i don’t know if people don’t realize they can check the local shelter for their lost pet or just don’t care. And, if you consider yourself a real animal lover then please donate to your local shelters! if you don’t have money to donate then give your time. If shelters had more financial support then not as many animals would have to be put down.
Krista on March 8, 2008 at 11:44 am said:

i would like to add that our shelter does not euthanize for time or space, only illness or some other issue making the animal not adoptable, so a kitty with claws has no more chance of being pts than a declawed kitty. we recently adopted out a cat who had been with us for a year.
Krista on March 8, 2008 at 11:38 am said:

hello everyone, i have been very entertained reading these comments, almost like watching an episode of Jerry Springer, animal welfare is a passionate issue for so many people, which is a good thing. I have recently become aware of exactly what declawing is and am against it. I will try to state my opinion clearly and without offending anyone. I do feel it is more for the person’s convenience and not the animal’s well being. Animals can and do adapt very well, just as those that lose a limb and become a “tripod”, but that doesn’t make it right, just as people who become confined to wheelchairs for whatever reason can still have a good long happy life, i’m sure they would prefer not to be confined to a wheelchair though. it makes sense to me that there could be long term effects from declawing, so many people say they recently had it done and their animals are just as active and playful, but if you really think about it, their bodies are designed to have a full toe, not two-thirds of a toe, so it makes sense that it could cause problems over time throwing off their alignment. I am 34 and just recently began having severe knee pain, it turns out it is a problem that goes back many years with my knee being out of alignment but i am just now suffering the repercussions of it. I would rather not take the chance with my pets of complications either now or in the future. I do work for the humane society with the cats and have made the choice to inform people looking to adopt that declawing is considered inhumane and there are alternatives. someone told me that laser declawing is just removing part of the claw and preventing it from growing back, but from what little i have read so far i don’t think that is right. i would like to know exactly what it is so i can tell people correctly, because i do mention that it is available but they would need to speak to a vet as to what it is exactly and what the benefits are as opposed to regular declawing. i do find that many people did not realize what declawing is, they do not realize that it is an actual amputation of the bone. since it has been done for so long and accepted as normal, people don’t give it a second thought. Education is key. I realize that declawing your cat doesn’t mean you don’t love them or want what is best, many people just don’t realize what they are doing. there are vets who say it is ok and vets who are against it. i believe money is part of it, many practices would take a huge financial hit if they stopped declawing. i’m sure this will be a controversy for a long time but ultimately, as laws for animal welfare evolve, i believe it will be outlawed. as for shelters preferring that an animal remain in a cage rather than go to a home that is declawed, the one i work at has no clause that they can’t be declawed, we just try to discourage it, plenty of people who adopt say they will still do it. i try to show the cats who came to us already declawed to those who insist on having a declawed pet. it breaks my hear every day to see all those animals in cages, but i know that we are doing what we can for them, i keep lists of the ones who need special attention and point them out to our volunteers as well as go in on my days off to socialize and groom. i am lucky to work at a shelter with a high adoption and low euthanization rate, i could not do it otherwise. when the decision to euthanize is made, i mourn each one. so no, i would not rather see an animal in a cage than declawed, but i do my best to educate on every aspect of animal care that i have knowledge of and hope that each animal leaving our shelter is going to the right home.
JSS on February 26, 2008 at 10:19 am said:

I understand why this is such an emotionally charged issue, and the doctor’s response did a good job of addressing the physical aspect of laser declawing. My family declawed our cat when I was a child (the old method) and she was in considerable distress. She bled profusely and cried throughout the night. She was a mess. Because of this, my mother was reluctant to ever do it again. When we moved to a new state, we rescued two new cats and they were declawed as well. (Old method) We used newspaper in their litter boxes, and after several weeks they seemed to be back to normal. Still, we decided as a family that it just didn’t seem right and that three cats going through this was enough.

I am now married and have one of my original cats from my childhood – one who was declawed – and another that my husband and I rescued. We made the decision to not have her declawed. I was always interested in the laser method because I’d been told that there was little pain or distress involved. Our clawed cat has shredded our carpet, stairs, and various other items around the house. I’m still not sure if we will ever do it, but I have considered it.

My only issue here is this: It is totally illogical to say “I would rather have ten of my cats toes removed than for it to be put down”. What the heck is that supposed to mean? Where do you draw a connection between cats being declawed or ELSE they are always euthanized? That makes no sense at all. Let’s be realistic here: spaying/neutering can prolong the life of your pet, cuts down on homeless pets, etc. Declawing is not done for the cat, but for the pet owner. Do we enjoy having our carpet destroyed? Not particularly, but I feel there are alternatives to surgery. Soft-claws nail caps, trimming, etc. It’s not always fool proof, it’s one way. In truth, if you are really concerned about your home being torn up, why even get a pet? Dogs can create messes, cats can claw, it’s the nature of the animal. They weren’t intended to be inside of buildings, they were intended to live outdoors. As animal lovers, we have taken the responsibility of keeping them inside because they are protected from other animals, disease, cars, etc. I fully support this – our cats are strictly indoor cats. But you can’t justify cat declawing by saying it’s helping the cat somehow – it isn’t. It helped my parents when they had it done to three of our cats. It kept our furniture in one piece. Other than that, there was no benefit. While I don’t consider laser declawing to be torture (as some have mentioned) I also think it’s unnecessary for the life of the cat and those who have done it or are doing it should be realistic about that.
Allison on February 17, 2008 at 3:54 pm said:

Wow, this debate reminds me of the breastfeeding vs. formula debate. Lots of emotional terrorism and personal attacks on others’ choices. Scratching posts are great, our cats love ’em- along with the couches, carpet, wood and everything else they also scratch. Claw clipping blunts them, but not enough to prevent the damage. Soft paws are great, too, but they just dig them into fabric or carpet and use the little ‘ledge’ around the top to do the damage when they pull them out- they actually help the cat out a little when damaging berber carpets and other materials with ‘loops’ or other raised surfaces. Honestly, I’m not a monster, I’m just sick of living with ripped carpet, gouged wood and sofas so destroyed that I’m finding bits of the stuffing laying around on the floor.
Monica on February 6, 2008 at 3:17 am said:

Chloe, you don’t have to worry about the children getting hurt. Worse case scenario, they may get a scratch. But it’s also important to teach the children how to properly play with the cat. Nail clipping is not difficult. You may need someone to show you how to do it at first, but then you will realize that it’s an easy task as soon as kitty gets used to it.

As for furniture scratching, make sure you have a good solid scratch post for kitty, and maybe even a kitty condo. They’re great for play, and kitty’s love to use them for scratching. I am due to replace mine just for that reason. Give it a try.
CINDY on February 1, 2008 at 5:23 pm said:

wow, you people are idiots. None of you have any sense when it comes animals. Do research first before you post stupids.
Jan on January 8, 2008 at 7:51 pm said:

Oh Please-
Clipping kitty’s claws is easy, alot easier than sending your cat for euthanization if it becomes aggressive, quits using it’s box, or a miriad of other things that affect (eventually) cats who have 10 amputations! Get real- and stop with the phoney letters- people ar wize to them by now, they really are…I know very few real cat people who do not fully understand what is involved here-
If you are an artist you unerstand fully what it would be like to function without the tips of your fingers, or run without toes, yet STUPID, IDIOTIC people will continue to promote this BARBARIC practice and pat others’ backs who do the same,,,sick,,,sick,,,sick…
Chloe on January 3, 2008 at 1:37 am said:

I’m a teenager getting a cat after we move in a few weeks because I have sociaphobia as well as a few anxiety disorders and my counseler(SP?)and parents think a pet might help. and i’m considering laser declaw because I have two young cousins and a small niece and newphew,the cousin visit regularly. now the little ones would never be alone with the cat but I really worry about them getting hurt, and I can’t afford to have weekly nail clips and my mom’s pushing for declaw,because of (the furniture and I get sick real easy) but would that be the right thing to do. I’m afraid that it’s getting to the point where I won’t be allowed a cat without getting it declawed and I’m not quite sure what to do. Because I it’s wrong i’ll not get it but I don’t know
Julie on December 28, 2007 at 4:07 am said:

Christi,

Thanks for the interesting and provocative website. It has been very enlightening to read about everyone’s passionate views on declawing. I do think that people are making Jan out to be a real meanie when she is just very passionate and protective regarding the declawing issue.

Personally, I am on the fence regarding this issue and feel it should only be done as a very last resort, and if done it should involve nerve blocks, fentanyl patches, etc. thanks, Jan for not being afraid to give your point of view, just come on a little gentler and more people will value your opinion.

Take care,

Julie
Rikki on December 20, 2007 at 4:18 pm said:

Thank you Christi, I have been debating wether or not to declaw my 4 babies, the oldest being a year and a half. I have read this whole page and have decided to get all 4 of my babies done. I don’t consider it cruel and inhumane, I feel that I am doing this in love.
Meagan on December 8, 2007 at 5:47 am said:

Poor kitty!
Sounds like he was already butchered by some vet with a tendonectomy…The lady simply needs to clip the poor one’s claws.
john on December 1, 2007 at 10:25 pm said:

An 85 year old friend has a sweet young cat who cannot detract his claws. My friend will come home only to find the cat hanging from the drapes unable to free himself, sometimes he’ll be untangled on the bed blanket, curtains or tablecloth. It seems like the only humane thing to do would be to declaw the poor cat. He gets stressed and could injure himself.
Meagan on November 22, 2007 at 9:38 am said:

Thanks. Your story may help another kitty that ends up at the shelter after declaw. People who say there are no longterm affects are just in denial. Then when you have even VETS say they declaw so a cat doesn’t lose it’s home are way off base!
How many would do it for charity? None, not too many.

In my opion if you can’t accept a kitty with it’s sweet paws all complete, then at least adopt one that already has had this awful surgery done, the shelters, I understand are full of them. Don’t ruin still another baby. You don’t know what you are doing.
Monica on November 20, 2007 at 2:26 am said:

2 quick stories to share…

A couple of weeks ago I had to take one of my kitties to the vet. The vet tech brought me into the back to show me this sweet kitty that was neutered and declawed. I was horrified to find out that the owners DECLINED the pain meds. Can you believe that? Ten amputations and they did not want to pay extra for pain control. Luckily, this tech was giving him the meds anyways since she does not believe that the option should even be there for such a surgery. Imagine some people!

My second story involves our local humane society. I decided to stop by on my way to work the other day. I visisted all the cats, and to my surprise, most of them had been declawed. Makes it seem that people either find these pets disposable, or maybe it’s just proof to me that a high percentage of declawed cats do end up with behavior issues. Interesting.
Nancy on November 15, 2007 at 10:46 am said:

How sad for that kitty. I know going to a shelter to get a kitty, you can never know how they have been treated in the past. I dont belive in throw away kittes, no matter how aggresive they are. We had a kitty from a shelter that had been badly abused, she had, had broken bones, and even a scar in her brain from abuse, she had seizurs she was a bitter and a hisser, badly. But you know hissing does not hurt you. And kitties do not bite if they are left alone. This little girl we had,we just knew to be very patient. We left her alone, let her come to us, didnt try to pick her up,it took her a few years to get to the point that she would gome to us, to lay in bed beside us, let us pet her, if you petted her in spots that hurt her, she still would bite, so we learned to avoid those spots.Or is she was just in a bad mood. We would never take a kitty back to a shelter,many tinmes when you get one from a shelter it is their last chance. I guess it depends on why you want to get a kitty form a shelter. if it is to save a kitties life, then you dont take them back. You learn to deal with theire problems. If it is because you want a kitty that will lay on your lap, let you carry it around, and never bite or hiss, then you want one that has been handled from an early age, kitties that are taken away from their mothers too early have a very hard time learning to socialize, also if a kitten is played with , with your hands as a toy, it learns to bite and swat those hands. I dont know how much time you gave this kitty to adjust, but even when I have had one that never adjust and always hisses, and or bites, I ignore the hissing, and I keep my hands away from its mouth, you can tell by the singles a kitty gives you that it is anxious, watch its tail movemens. and the way it lays its ears back.
I am not saying it is not bad to declaw a kitty. I beleive it is. Im saying I dont belive in bad kitties that are not worth a home, bitter or not. And if the reason is small childern or what ever, that should be well thought out befor taking in a shelter kitty to begain with. Even just being cooped up in a cage day and night for many months or years would make a kitty anxious, or depressed. It would a person. Our little girl had not been declawed, but she had been abused. So sometimes there are other reasons for bitting and hissing.
Just like when you have a child, you dont know what kind of teenager they are gonna be, they might be kind and loving or they might be down right monsters, but you dont give them away or take them to be put down. Kitties deserve no less than childern, and yes that does include not chopping off their toes.

But if my child had only the option of loosing their toes, or fingers, and the only other thing was being left at 2 or 3 yers old to live out in the open with cars going over them and dogs tearing them apart , or being poisiend, set on fire , etc, Id say, take their toes, that they can live with, being dead you cant. Sometimes you have to klook at the lesser of 2 evils. The world is not perfect, sadly, wish it were, then no kitties or childern would be harmed or go hungry , etc, but untill then, we can only do what we can. and you can catch more flies with surgar than salt. so, yes there needs to be education on declawing, but it needs to be done in a civil way, after all, we are all Gods childern, and we are here to be good to each other and to help each other, not berate and scold. We all hate war, but its gonna happen, we cant stop it, we can kick, and scream and call people the most horried things, but it doesnt stop war, and screaming and calling names does not stop people from decalwing, but kindly giving examples and advice might.
Im not saying you are scolding or berating, Im just saying some of us in here have not been to nice to our fellow mankind.
Myself included, and Im ashamed of that and apoligize.
Meagan on November 15, 2007 at 7:23 am said:

A few years ago I adopted one of those (declawed cats) from a shelter and it continually hissed and growled at me, after a few days I had to take it back to the shelter where I learned it had been euthanized just a couple days after it’s return. That made me very sad, I didn’t realise or know why it acted like it did. I wish I could have helped it or understood it. If people understood things better, I think we could actually do the cats and kittens some good instead of trying to keep on covering up wrongs.

I think people forget that what we are discussing here isn’t where to buy the best tampax, but rather discussing a living being that does have emotions!

I can’t believe men and women today can actually believe it is OK to have a kitten’s toes chopped off at the end, it’s barbaric!
Nancy on November 14, 2007 at 8:10 pm said:

Jan, yes young cats and kittesns do develop arthritis, just as a young human child of one or 2 will due to genitics or problems in DNA. It happens. You can research that. so even though declawing may very will cause problems in joints latter on, it can happen to even very young cats and kittens that have not been.
Im certanily not advocating declawing. However I have just one scenero to put to you. You say declawing does not save lives, I know of one that it did.
consider, living far out in the country, 2 to 3 hours away form any town. the closest shelter is over 3 hours drive, and is a small one that is no kill.
some one dumps a kitten in your yard, you live among neighbors that have many agressive dogs that roam free and have killed every kitten that has been dumped in your yard, You call the shelter, they cannot take the kitty, you call everyone you know, you put adds in papers, you beg, you post on the web. No one will take the poor kitty. you have one neighbor that will take it and keep it inside and love it, but only if they declaw it.

the only other option is to put it outside, and let the doggies mull it to death as you watch horrifed, as you have many times over cause there is no law in the country to make owners keep their aggresive dogs up. Now these are the only two options for this kitty, stay outside and let the dogs tear it to tiny little peices alive, or let the neighbor have it and declaw it. Is arthrits latter on from being declawed worse than being torn to shreds, in agony by a pack of dogs, never knowing love and petting, and toys or a warm lap?
This is what is happening to some of the people in here, some have only that choice. Now if I could take in every dumped kitty that comes along, i would tell everyone, no matter what dont declaw send your kitties to me, but I cant do that. So, I do not condem somone saving a kitty from being torn to shreds. I just cant bear to see it happen. And happen it does. maybe you live in the city and dont see these kind of things. I dont know.
I have chronice pancreatitis, and sever arthrits, I know what chronic 7/24 hour sever pain is, with demarol not even half way helping the pain, I dont want any kitty to suffer, but I dont want to see kitties , torn to shreds either. Id rather live whith my pain than to die like that. I can honestly say that.
Oh and please do not think Im a drinker because of the chronic pancreatitis, I have it due to severe hyperlipidemia, a genitic disorder that my father had, and also a sister who both are no long living due to it.
I know what gnes can cause, to people and kitties.
I dont want to argue, I just think all facts should be known, Im just saying that because some people in here have done this thing, does not make all of them evil or cruel.Maybe some had no other place to take the kitty an could only keep itafter being declawed cause husband would not let them otherwise, so it is let the kitty die horribley or do this and give it the best you can under the circumstances.
This is the only reason I can see a kitty being declawed.
Jan on November 14, 2007 at 4:35 am said:

Jeez, Nancy- giv it a REST- um, I am NOT attacking you, it is far more the opposite…
Quote:”Also kitties that have not been declawed also get arthritis and have problems with joints, and other diseases as well, simply due to old age.”

Absolutely! But a healthy 2 or 3 year old should NOT, do you agree? THAT is due to the poor thing compensating for not claws in front….

I have worked with vets and rescue far too long not to see the amount of declawed cats euthanized and relinquished!

DECLAWING DOES NOT SAVE LIVES! Just the opposite, more live are LOST, more problems surface…How many vets do you know keep track of what happens to their declawed clients? Hmmm???

I,too, have had and now have declawed re-homers, kuddos to you for taking them in successfully, unfortunately that is not the usual story. Poor things are scared out of their witts in many cases, people theink they are mean and don’t even try to understand the poor things. it’s truly heartbreaking.
Nancy on November 12, 2007 at 9:39 pm said:

Dear Deborah, you might ask your vet about “rescue remedy” it is a natural remedi that helps releive anxiety and stress due to travel , thunderstorms , etc.

Also there is “Feliway” a spray you can use in your new home to help your kitties feel ” more at ease”. It mimics a kitties friendly facial pheromones making them feel more at home. Feliway also comes in a plug in that puts out a full room diffusion.

Also be sure to bring as much of your kitties old “home scents” as possible, like maybe a small area of carpet, or scatter rug, all the old toys, favorit beds, anything that has your kitties scents of the old home on it. Good luck on your move.
Nancy on November 12, 2007 at 6:33 pm said:

Jan,I own 4 cats, and yes they are declawed, but not by me, you must not assume everything and then attack. I got them from shelters and they came that way. So yes kitties that have been declawed and gone to shelters do get homes. Good loving homes.

Also kitties that have not been declawed also get arthritis and have problems with joints, and other diseases as well, simply due to old age.
I do not appreciate you attacking me on how I take care ofmy cats when you do not know how that is, did you once ask me if I declaw cats. No you did not, you assumed I agree with it.. I take excelent care of my kitties, Im sure as well as you do, and maybe better, as I am home 24/7 and devote my time to nothing more than the kitties, no childern, no husband, only time for loving on kitties. Kitties who do not bite, ..what a shock considering they are declawed.
I simply said it was not against the law in the states, Is that not true? And that you had givin your opinion in no uncertain terms. Unless you have somthing new to add, you are not educating, you are more likely annoying, from the sounds of a lot of these post, yes people reply, but not because they are listing to your advice, but because they are tired of being attacked and are telling you so.

Oh and you say to people in here, that they do not know how a kitty feels, thats right, but then neither do you. Are you a cat?? Have you been declawed. ???You say well you know kitties so well,… there are just as many people in here that have raised as many if not more and have not seen any of these problems even after the kitty has lived for 20 or more years.
Im not saying its right, Im just saying it is not against the law. The rest you took upon yourself to blame me of. What a pity.
Ive nothing more to say to you, after all, you are right and everyone that dissagrees with you are wrong.
Deborah on November 12, 2007 at 5:56 pm said:

Thank you Jan for the advice about feeding before and en route….. the crates we bought are big enough for litter boxes, so hopefully they ill find the trip comfortable. I do wonder if they don’t suffer motion sickness…. have tried rescue remedy in the past for my dog, who becomes fearful. No effect on her, but really calms down husband and me…
If anyone else has anything they’d like to share about moving and acclimating pets, you certainly have an avid audience in me.
Thanks all.
Deborah on November 12, 2007 at 5:04 pm said:

Wanted to thank Laura and Shar for their responses to my questions about chipping and cat relocating. All that has been shared has been food for thought and will be considered ith gratitude. Especially appreciated the first hand story about all those pets traveling from San Diego…. what a scene!
We will be moving 3 cats, one dog and a betta fish, the plants having moved out ahead. A French farce comes to mind…
We did get the crates, and sprayed the attractant, put them in a come-hither location, but as two days go by, no one has entered, even though we put a very ppopular bed in there. One person who kindly advised us said she hoped that making the crates available and attractive might result in some crate bonding, of a sort, resulting in calmer travel. Let’s hope.
Haven’t had time to research the id implants, but love and hate the idea simultaneously. Yes, you want to think you’ll have SOME way of locating your dear friends should they become lost, but an implant seems drastic, unnatural….. still thinking it over.
REALLY appreciate the word of caution about the sedatives and long term affects on cats. We think we will buy the stuff the vet suggested and have it on hand, but may let our dear fur friends take it straight… the moving experience that is, and hold off on administering any tranqs unless they are just raving….
Thanks all so much and appreciate your good wishes for our move.
best to you all,
Deborah of The Desert (soon)
Jan on November 12, 2007 at 5:47 am said:

Wow, Laura! You can and do speak with experience! That had to be a trip worth a whole article! And you’re still sane, LOL-You are one brave lady.

The one plus I give micro-chipping is that labs and shelters usually screen for them. In this way a pet-dealer pawning people’s pets to labs, or animals destined to euthanizing in a shelter do have a second chance through positive identification. It’s becoming a popular practice now.

I might suggest that people traveling with cats put a dark, light whight cover over their kitty’s carrrier. Use a shoe-box size mini litterbox in their carrier so kitty can eliminate when need be. take along bottled water and have dishes to pour, offer water at rest-stops making sure to remove them once on the road again. Don’t feed till you’ve been on the road for more than 4 hours, as new travelors may get motion sickness. I withold food for 2 hrs. prior to travel. Take along some children’s anti diahrreal medication (no aspirin) in case of problems there due to stress. you can check for NATURAL calming meds such as Bach’s flower remedy prior to your trip and use if you need it. A *travel kit* you yourself put together is a wize idea when traveling with any pet.

On one of our *adopt-a-thon’s* where shelters showed off adult cats needing homes, I even used some plain old high quality catnip to relax one very stressed kitty, that and put a cover on her cage so she didn’t have to see the comotion around her. But know what catnip does for your cat before trying that.
Jan on November 12, 2007 at 2:41 am said:

If everyone wasn’t listening to me dear, Nancy, they wouldn’t feel the need to address me, now would they? Simply because I am not patting anyone onck for lame excuses for mutilation make me a bad person? Well, just on this forum, eh? hahahahaha

Declaw, however is no laughing matter. Try learning how to care for cats rather than how to destroy them, OK?

Anesthesia and pain relievers may ease the pain and discomfort experienced by cats who are declawed, but only in the immediate, the pain that may follow, including the possibility of early arthritis due to compensating, may become a reality. It limits movement, upper muscle development and promotes a sense of loss, some may also end up with a WOODEN feeling in their feet. But, these are not the only issues and may not even be the most important. A major problem that I have about declawing is the perception. The cat is treated as if he or she is an inanimate object who can be modified, even to the point of surgical mutilation, to suit a person’s perception of what a cat should be. It would seem more ethical and humane to accept that claws and scratching are inherent feline attributes, and to adjust one’s life accordingly if a cat is desired as a companion. If allowing a kitten/ cat it’s birthright, it’s very TOES and buying or building a CAT TREE is unacceptable, then perhaps you should not own a cat.
Nancy on November 10, 2007 at 8:58 pm said:

Jan, 10 people live in my home and we do share one computer, so there. What is wrong with that, I ask. Yes a few of us in my household have posted on here, but not directly to you.

Im sure there are probably others on here that share a computer. There is no law against it , just as there is no law against declawing in the states.

When there is, then Im sure your nightnmare will stop, so maybe you should put your efforts toward that, instead of toward people who are not listening to you.
Laura on November 9, 2007 at 11:45 am said:

Oh, there is one more thing about relocating cats that I’ll share with you. We drove from San Diego CA to Philly area PA…over 3000 miles, with one very large dog…who pretty much enjoyed himself…hey how often does a dog get to pee his way across the USA?! One Congo African Gray Parrot…who pretty much talked and SANG her way across the nation….Her only complaint being that the rented cargo van (for the animals and plants didn’t have a CD player or a tape deck and so she had to do without her beloved Beatles and Eric Clapton. And two adult male cats (both neutered) one a social butterfly and the other came to us as a feral kitten at about 5 weeks of age.

Shasta…the social king didn’t like the trip, but coped. Sam, the big chickencat…I talked to our Vet and together we agreed to put him on a very low dose of Kitty downers to “take the edge off.”

In retrospect…I think I shouldn’t have bothered giving Sam those pills. I think they contributed to him becoming even more unbalanced than he already was. Before he was bonded to me only, but would at least come out around other people to a point, as long as it wasn’t a loud situation…(party) or a stranger. NOT any more.

Thank goodness my partner’s son likes cats a good deal because after moving here, Sam has chosen to live upstairs in K’s room ONLY. He might venture down once in a while at night, but that’s about it. He is happy with K. and sleeps with him, has a litter box, fresh water and food up there, but he simply will not socialize with the rest of the household anymore. It took Shasta about 3 years to finally start making his way back into the family and main part of the house. He now enjoys the entire house from the basement to the attic and everywhere in between.

We stopped every night (fell behind our planned schedule because the company hired to load the biggest rental truck you can get without a Truck driver’s license failed to show on time, so we missed all of the hotel reservations made) moved the critters in under cover of darkness, set up a litter box (they wouldn’t go during the day) put out food and water for the cats (they wouldn’t eat during the drive or drink either). Everyone, including the bird was loose all night long to move about, eat and use their box…and they did then. (No cat with a brain is interested in challenging a CAG…these parrots eat cats for a snack on a Ritz if they are too bothered by them plus laugh and crack rude jokes while they stalk the poor confused feline…)

So I say think long and hard before using Kitty downers to try and take the edge off…I used none on Shasta…and he is peachy keen…Sam…is assuredly MORE demented than he was before. I wish I would have just let him tough it out, but I was afraid THAT would take him over the edge…who knows…sigh.
Shar on November 9, 2007 at 11:35 am said:

Deborah–

I would suggest talking with your vet about the kitties’ anxiety about travel. Perhaps there is a mild sedetive he could provide that would allow both you and the kitties a much happier trip.

As for acclimating them to the new home…I would agree. Keep them in for a while, maybe even just in one area of the house until they feel more at ease. Cats are pretty resilient and I feel like they will adjust more quickly than you think. Just be sure to shower them with plenty of affection and let them know this new place is just like the old one.

Good luck to you!!
Laura on November 9, 2007 at 11:17 am said:

I find myself at odds with the whole micro chip idea. I do believe that if your animal should get lost and be picked up by or taking to someone with a Microchip reader…then you have a great chance to get your beloved companion animal back. That’s the big PRO to it.

By the same token, putting a Microchip in your dog, cat, horse also means that you are introducing a foreign piece of metal into the animal’s body. Generally speaking it is so small that there are few problems. However, as with any foreign matter introduced into the body there is always the POTENTIAL for problems because the body as a matter of course will often attempt to attack and repulse the foreign matter…it “doesn’t belong” from the body’s point of view. This is the CON.

Personally, I don’t allow any of our four cats to be outside at all. I stopped allowing cats to be inside/outside about 8 years ago. I simply got tired of loosing cats! I live in PA now since 2000, but prior to that I was born and raised in San Diego. Cars, coyotes, and hawks took the lives of several of our family cats…they were inside/outside, usually in at night, in to eat..but allowed out when they wanted out. I just couldn’t stand them disappearing or finding their bodies in the street anymore. Ours are happy to stay in, one (the youngest) will occasionally try to get out, and has twice, but we catch her back up immediately. One adopted Girl had been tossed out in the freezing cold her first winter, Pregnant. She evidently had two kittens and got slightly frostbitten ears. We adopted her from a local cat rescue group, they had spayed her and adopted out her babies successfully.

Sadie, has LESS THAN any interest in going outside, she likes to watch the birds through the window, but as for going out, that will earn you “a LOOK” as if to question your sanity from MS Sadie.

I was always told that when moving, you should keep your cat (s)in the house for at least 30 days so that they acclimate to the new space, before you allow them outside. I’d say if they make it through the 30 days and everyone still has their sanity…opt for keeping them in the house…grow kitty grass, and catmint for them…(catnip). A cat kept out typically lives between 2 to 7 years. A cat allowed in & out might make it to 8 to 12. Cats kept inside often live between 12 to 18 years in fairly good health, with a high quality of daily life. To me, it’s worth it to keep them in and play with them a bit more…plus we have 4 cats, 2 dogs and 2 parrots…to they also keep each other entertained as well…much to OUR amusement!
Deborah on November 9, 2007 at 10:47 am said:

Problem with keyboard and some vision issues too, sorry about the quality of previous post.
Simply: wonder if ID chips are a good thing, any drawbacks? Would like to hear if someone has reservations about chips.
Anyone re-settle any cats lately?
Any tips for increasing their sense of comfort in new surroundings?
So far, have been advised (in other quarters) to get crates (they just arrived) buy this spray that has a scent that encourages felines in some way (bought that, will use in the crates, and at new house.) I have been warned to sequester the cats in one space in the new house at first, and allow them much time to adjust to their entire new habitat, very gradually.
Two of my three cats, relatives (possibly father and daughter) have severe issues with cars. I am trying to be positive, but since they always void their bowels and urinate in the carrier while screaming with terror on their rare 5-minutes-away annual trips to the vet, the idea of 2.5 days of car travel fills me with a certain amount of foreboding. Putting them on a plane seems ill-advised, and we aren’t considering it.
Any ideas anyone might want to share would be very welcome.
Deborah on November 9, 2007 at 8:33 am said:

It’s entirely possible, re-reading my Nov & post, that this on-lone community as confused by my poor wording on a recent query abot ID chips (are they a good thing? Are there drawbacks?) and my solicitation of advice aout re-locating my cats.
I apologize if I am posting innapropriately or being unclear.
Is this a bad place to ask for advice about cats?
If so, could someone redirect my efforts?
I find myself somewhat ‘day late and dollar short” since this move began, quite lame really. Any insights about re-settling our cat family would be welcome.
Jan on November 9, 2007 at 8:21 am said:

How’s this for *attacking*….?

Not one of you dear sweet ladiew with your claws extended knows how *it* actually feels or that *it isn’t really that bad*-now, do you?

Yet, like children who don’t really know, you continue to give advice to one another, how sweet…

Please continue, by all means…

Since several of you are working from the same computer, I would suggest you are one in the same…check it out.
Shar on November 9, 2007 at 1:16 am said:

Mary C-

I had Bailey’s claws done at 4 months. She is a solely indoor kitty, but we did leave her back claws intact in case she should ever escape the safety of the house. Bailey was never intentionally destructive to furniture or people, but continually caused swollen, bleeding wounds (I have the scars to prove it) from playing with me, therefore, I felt like the best possible decision was to remove her claws. I did take the procedure into consideration before having it done…I realize it’s an elective surgery that alters the cat forever. I firmly believe that my veternarian, who runs a cats only clinic, would not perform the surgery if he thought it harmed a cat’s well-being in any way. Many on this site would have you believe that it does. Your personal experience and situations should make your decision. Don’t allow the “guilt” factor to work into the equation and taint your decision. If it’s the right choice for your situation, have the procedure done. Just ensure you have done your homework on your vet and that s/he is on the up and up.

I hope I have been of some assistance in your tough decision process.
Mary C. on November 8, 2007 at 10:29 pm said:

A – I’ve considered soft paws, but have not heard good things about them. Can you please tell me a little more about your experience with them since you’ve been using them?

Shar – thanks for your advice. Right now the little one wants to play with the “middle” one who does not want to, but we hope some day they will be friends. We keep her away from the oldest one altogether, and she won’t be with us much longer. The baby is not being agressive – anything that happens would be accidental. And so far she’s being pretty good – not destructive, just testing the waters but seems trainable. But I did experience some “accidental” destruction from my first cat poking holes in things when she had her claws – it was not intentional on her part. I know if I keep her clipped that will help and she’s getting used to that. It’s just that she is at that right age if I’m going to do it and I hate to not do it and then have her decide a few years from now that a new piece of furniture needs to become a scratch post! Our middle kitty scratches on everything and I’m so glad that I can let her since she doesn’t have the claws. I’m also afraid that the little one will see her doing that and not understand why she can’t do it either. How old was Bailey when you had the laser done?

I appreciate all the feedback – it is helpful!
Deborah on November 7, 2007 at 9:40 pm said:

Greetings to all the cat lovers here and a general solicitation for advice.
My husband and I are re-locating from the midwest to Tucson, and in a short time we will be moving our three cats (all formerly feral but now “house and garden” cats)
for 2.5 days by car. We have made our last local vet visits, and it was suggested that we have the locater i.d. type chip installed. We decided to think it over first.
I’d be grateful to hear from this online community about pros and cons of these chips, and anyone who would be inclined to give advice about movng our cats to theit new home won’t be sharing in vain.
Anything you might have to contribute in the way of thoughts for successful cat relocation will be much appreciated…..
I should mention that two of the three cats are father and daughter and what little experience they have had in the car, they HATE. We have bought a crate for each kitty, large enough for a bed and litter box etc.
Hope to hear much cat-moving wisdom!
Shar on November 6, 2007 at 9:08 pm said:

Mary C–

I’m sorry I can’t speak to the “humane declaw” procedure you are speaking about, I can, however, tell you that you don’t necessarily HAVE to declaw your new family member simply because the older ones are already declawed. Are you experiencing any problems with the new kitty being aggressive toward your older ones? Is s/he being destructive? If not, I would say leave his/her claws intact.

If you are worried and cannot find anyone who does this procedure you had done previously, I fully recommend the laser procedure. My little Bailey did beautifully after hers and returned very quickly to all her previous activities, including “scratching” the sisal post and the wicker type laundry basket. Don’t get me wrong, she was a little tenderfooted for a couple days, but there were no personality changes and none of the horror stories. I understand your concern for removing the digit, but it’s not as bad as some would make it out to be. The digit that is removed is not the part of the paw the cat uses to walk, it’s pupose is to house the claw. Use your best judgement evaluating your situation.

I wish I could offer you more, but I can only tell you my experience.
Nancy on November 6, 2007 at 8:08 pm said:

I have been following this debate for many months and what I dont understand is why Jan has not been banned for being so rude and hatefull to everyone that dissagrees with her.
She has said the same things over and over and over, she has nothing new to say, all she is acomplishing is making others upset. It is not changing any minds at all here. She certainly has educated to the point no one is listening anymore.
She personally attacks others, calling them stupid, cruel, uneducated, tells them they should loose their toes, that she hopes they suffer.All I can say is if I owned this site, I would have banned her a long time ago.
As for my stand on this, I agree, with Mary was it, kitties missing legs eyes, etc, continue to go on and lead full healthy lives. Most kitties that have been dumped with there claws, are hit by cars, and can lay there and suffer for hours befor they die, or be mangled by dogs,or be poisioned or tourterd, set on fire, dropped in rivers in a weighted bag this is cruel. And if she belives a kitties claws will keeep it from being mualled to death by a dog, I have seen too many die that way, claws and all, even on their backs with all four in the air using their swiss army knives.
Maybe people should be looking more at the overpopulation of kittes and stop breeding them. Instead give homes to those that are strays.
As far as Jan, her rantings are obnoxious at best and turning others off to considering alternitives at worst.
A on November 6, 2007 at 10:36 am said:

Bravo Mary C! Unfortunately still no expertise. Instead more of what’s been said time and time again presented in SO much more credible surgical terms – “she must really know what she’s talking about!” I know this is pointless, but i just don’t understand when a cats claws are clipped regularly or especially have the softpaws on, how they are still in possession of their “swiss army knives”? I do agree declawing is taken lightly, but that’s a poor argument. If a cat gets out when it has softpaws on does it just bite them off the minute they’re off the property and the swiss army knives come out? My cat has them for 3-5 weeks before losing them. Are they supposed to try to survive 3-5 weeks with little rubber pads until they can get at the knives? None of the things noted are effective with softpaws – a humane alternative.

I understand you’re passionate and I appreciate what you do, you’re just not good at communicating respectfully. And stop repeating yourself over and over and over and over, it’s getting old.
~M on November 6, 2007 at 7:13 am said:

Ok, this can get pretty laughable. I have fostered 2 if not 300 Cats. Over the last 10 years I have been raising 4 Children. Due to that, my dogs and 2 declawed (rescues) of my own, I have fostered a majority of declawed cats. I’d guess 60-70%. To me, not knowing the backround of most the kitties, this was the safest option in my household. Of the hundreds in addition to those I’ve worked with in various shelters, and the hundreds more rescues/fosters by nearly a dozen of my friends, I have never, ever, not one single time in any way witnessed a cat that looked even remotely effected by the loss of claws. They were all just as happy/wild/zaney/active as every single other cat I’ve known. Not a single notable difference between them. I’ve had cats missing limbs or eyes that lived their lives without issue for crying out loud!

Now, I would like to see proof of how anyone can know exactly what a cat is feeling. I can tell when a cat is in pain, or even mild discomfort. You can see it in behavior or in the eyes. But how in the world can you know if/when a cat is feeling phantom pain? Many human amputees have this issue, but our nervous system is differnt. Being human, our brains search out our “missing pieces” it causes itches and sensation in the nerves where those parts used to be hoping to find them. Its extremely rare that these senstaions cause pain. And this wooden feeling? Where has this been documented and how in the world can you tell? Ive heard storied from people who lost fingers and toes and said no such thing. I had a teacher that lost just the tips (knuckle up) of 8 toes due to frost bite. No wooden feeling there. I get that a cats anatomy is different. But I would like to read legit studies on these comments. Not extremist militant anti-declaw websites.

SO please, link me to any medical or gov funded study. I am very interested in reading the facts.

Now, what I am really sick of, is words like cruelty being toss around like candy. I have witnesses cruelty. I’ve held cats riddled with BB’s. I’ve seen cats that were set on fire, or thrown to dogs. I’ve seen cats beaten, broken and starved. I do not use terms like Cruelty lightly. Unecessary in many, even most cases, sure. But cruel? Most declaws happen along with spay/neuter surgeries. So they are already in pain. Most vets after these surgeries recommend against pain relief. Cats and dogs will often run around and play as normal without pain to stop them. This can cause serious injury or even death.

I’m gonna sit back and wait for these university, or veterinary studies to be posted now. Have a good day!
Mary C. on November 5, 2007 at 9:10 pm said:

Jan, since in your post you included quotes from my post, I naturally assumed it was directed at me. I AM trying to make an “informed decision.” As previously stated, my two older cats were declawed by a method that apparently nobody outside of the previous vet does – he trimmed the claws to the base and filled them with surgical glue. No toes were removed – he called it a “humane declaw.” Both my cats continue to exhibit all the uses you described (marking, climbing, etc.) of having their front claws, without having them. They have always been inside only cats.

Now that I have a new stray that I’ve rescued, I don’t know how to integrate her and keep the others safe. I’m very frustrated to not find anyone who does the declaw method I mentioned. I do not want to cut off any toes! I was originally checking out the laser method hoping that it did not and was similar to what was done before.

I can appreciate your stance, however your soliloquy still did not give me any answers to my dilemma. I understand both sides of the issue clearly. I’m just trying to figure out how to make my situation work.
Jan on November 5, 2007 at 7:39 pm said:

I apologise for all my major spelling (typos) mistakes- I have an extremely OLD and por keyboard and this forum does not allow edits. I have keys that stick and keys that double upon hittting. I can usually decipher others’ posts that are not editably enabled but also fully understand why some ARE editably enabled…has anyone else noticed? I truly believe that those who ar making money by so cruely disabeling our feline pets and others it is *OK* are sadly the culprits, or…so I have heard…
Jan on November 5, 2007 at 12:15 pm said:

Mary- my post was NOT directed at you Please do understand that- I have just seen far too many people declawing when in rality if they feel this way, they really should step back and help the cat find a home where they didn’t see his/her claws as such a mojor issue…
It has been my experience that declawed cats are not happy pets.
As anyone can recover and learn to adjust after amputation, so too can a cat, but HAPPY? Hardly… and in years to come, if not immediately after surgery, the reasons for unhappiness may unfold in many ways.
Claws are the Swiss Army knife of the feline toolbox. They are essential in practically every role that a cat plays. Cats leave messages for other cats by scratching on surfaces. The claws engrave a visual territorial mark, while the scent glands in the paw pads brush on an olfactory mark. During predatory play, the claws grip a toy while the cat rubs against it or punches it with his hind feet. Front claws are its’ breaks, it’s fingers, it’s IMPORTANT and INTEGRAL part!. For the climber, claws help maneuver the body upwards. They help her shift her body weight to attain proper balance and secure footing. Last, but not least, claws are their primary means of self defense. The one-paw swat is enough to send another cat out of preferred territory or to keep the dog in it’s place. When a full-blown defense is required, she takes a position on her back with all four paws exposed, claws ready for action. Claws are indispensable! Yet, in many households, a cat and his claws are separated via onychectomy (declaw)for the furniture’s sake. I have never seen a cat that can’t be trained! Only people who are too lazy to try! Is that FAIR to a cat?

Declawing robs a cat of an integral means of movement and defense. Because they will not be able to adequately defend themselves against attacks by other animals, declawed cats who are allowed outdoors are subjected to an increased risk of injury or death. Declawing deprives a cat of satisfying the instinctive impulses to climb, chase, exercise, and to mark territory by scratching. While some declawed cats behave as they did before they were declawed, others undergo a drastic personality change. They may become extremely timid or unusually aggressive. Whether such problems develop from the trauma of surgery or the absence of claws is a matter of speculation. The surgery itself, however, is more than a matter of speculation. Onychectomy by regular method OR LASER is an extreme measure in which the entire last part of the ten front toes are amputated (burn-cut with laser). It’s a painful operation. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person’s finger at the first joint. General anesthesia is used for this surgery, which always has a certain degree of risk of disability or death associated with it. Because declawing provides no medical benefits to cats, even slight risk I consider unacceptable. In addition, the recovery from declawing can be painful and lengthy and may involve postoperative complications such as infections, hemorrhage, and nail regrowth. The latter may subject the cat to additional surgery.

Anesthesia and pain relievers may ease the pain and discomfort experienced by cats who are declawed, but only in the immediate, the pain that may follow, including the possibility of early arthritis due to compensating, may become a reality. It limits movement, upper muscle development and promotes a sense of loss, some may also end up with a WOODEN feeling in their feet. But, these are not the only issues and may not even be the most important. A major problem that I have about declawing is the perception. The cat is treated as if he or she is an inanimate object who can be modified, even to the point of surgical mutilation, to suit a person’s perception of what a cat should be. It would seem more ethical and humane to accept that claws and scratching are inherent feline attributes, and to adjust one’s life accordingly if a cat is desired as a companion. To all who feel the need to declaw in 99% of the cases …If allowing a kitten/ cat it’s birthright, it’s very TOES and buying or building a CAT TREE is unacceptable, then perhaps you should not own a cat.
Mary C. on November 5, 2007 at 11:01 am said:

Hello? Please don’t confuse me with the other Mary (with the transplant)- I’m a new one (although I don’t have anything against her or anyone else here). However, I really am seeking information/advice about entering a new cat with claws into a house with older cats without claws (please see my previous post: claws were only removed – not toes!)

Jan, I said I wouldn’t listen to you because you are just plain rude, and you proved my point. I’m not the same as any other person on here. Just someone who stumbled across this website while looking for information. I’m not interested in a debate, and unfortunately, this website seems to have gone from the beginning posts two years ago that were people providing personal experience and opinion, to personal attack and debate. I posted several days ago and checked back today hoping to find someone to help me, but I guess all the people who might want to do that get turned off at the point that things turned into a cat fight and never make it beyond to those of us who are just looking for some advice and help.

And one more thing, Jan. You had an opportunity to answer my question with your “expertise” about how to train my new kitty and help integrate her in with the cats without claws. But you chose to be nasty instead. Which is why your credibility on this site is zero.

If anyone else out there can offer some experience/advice/help, it would be welcome.

Thanks!
Mary C.
Monica on November 2, 2007 at 3:59 pm said:

Mary, I just had to read back over the posts again since there has been so much going back and forth between many people. At the time of the posting you are referring to, I believe it was my reaction to the following quote: “…what goes around comes around. You, my dear, have a rude awakening ahead.” I just figured my questions would have been answered, and not everything blown out of proportion with all these arguments…others attacking me for the way they understood my post, and others that seem to understand the same post attacking you. It’s becoming a vicious circle.

I have been told that I am very passionate about animals….maybe too passionate sometimes. And I don’t understand the necessity to declaw in normal circumstances since I have been able to train 2 cats that everyone thought was impossible…one was a 6 yr old stray feral that I took it, and the other is 3rd generation bengal who still holds a small percentage of wild blood in him. But it took some time, patience and a little creativity along with regular nail trimming to get things under control. I hate scratches as much as anyone else because of my allergies to cats…my skin turns read and the scratch swells up. But I could not imagine life without these amazing creatures.
Jan on November 2, 2007 at 1:22 pm said:

You ladies don’t want to make an *informed decision*-you make that clear, you want excuses for cruelty aned laziness. It is also my understanding that most of these letters are rehearsed on paper, many, nmany written by the same person, isn’t that interestring?

Re:*If cats could talk they’d prefer nice digs to not owning their digits?-Oh REALLY? Would YOU? My guess would be if they could talk they’d ask WHY you hold their digits hostage for a good home?*-FAIR?? Pu-lease…
um, and JAN just plain rude???
Hmmm perhaps you donfuse rudeness with REALITY?

If excuses were nickels, I’d suggest you ladies try your luck at slots…LOL
Mary on November 1, 2007 at 10:23 pm said:

Monica, My last post was totally about my transplant history and why my doctor may have considered different protocol than others…..where were the threats I am being accused of? Are you sure you read the latest one I posted today around 3:30? I think to be honest I was thanking the 2 of you for your work with transplant patients. I only wanted to point out that my transplant doctor considered my uncomplicated history after transplant and gave these guidelines for ME as far as owning a cat. I’m sure the doctors / surgeons you work with recommend what is only the best advice to their patients with regard to their individual case/history. As for posting, you’ll notice I did not even mention the declawing pro / con issue we do not agree on. As I said before, that is a battle of opinion, nothing else. It’s like beating a dead horse, it’s getting no one anywhere. I only wanted to explain the basis for my doctor’s decision since it was so opposite of what those of you posting in the medical/ health field have been taught and practice. Neither is right or wrong, just individualized.
Mary C. on November 1, 2007 at 9:24 pm said:

I came across this website when I was looking for information on laser declaw. I was honestly (and still am) trying to make an informed and educated decision. I’ve read most all the posts and would not bother listening to anything Jan says because she is just plain rude. Thank you to everyone else who has tried to present facts and experiences on both sides. They’ve been helpful.

Here is my situation: I have two older cats, 15 and 13. They were declawed with a method that I’d never heard of before or since. It was called a “humane declaw”. The vet pushed the claw all the way out, trimmed it to the base and filled it with surgical glue. NO TOES WERE REMOVED! I would have not even considered anything but this at the time. No bandages, stitches, bleeding, pain, special litter, etc. They came home that day or the next and were fine. He is not practicing any more and now I’m told by the new vet they don’t do this any more because it did not have a great success rate (nails frequently grew back). However, mine were both fine. The younger one still thinks she has her claws – she scratches on everything (and you can still feel the base). The older one was 2 when we had her done and she did seem a bit sad for a while that her claws were gone because she couldn’t catch her wool ball anymore, but that did not last.

Now I have a new little stray that we want to bring in and make an inside only kitty and I’m concerned about her having claws and the older ones not. Can anyone speak to this experience? She is well behaved and I think I could train her to use the scratch tree, but I’m just concerned about the older ones. The oldest one is in liver failure and won’t be with us much longer. The 13 year old still thinks she’s a kitten! However, neither of them is thrilled about their new little housemate. I just don’t want there to be problems down the line with one declawed and one not. She is almost six months old, so I’ve got to decide what to do. Has anyone heard of this procedure and know if it is still being done anywhere? I’d be willing to try it again if I could find someone who would do it that way.

Thanks for your insight.
Mary on November 1, 2007 at 3:38 pm said:

I just want to clear up a couple of issues regarding transplantation. All centers are different in Post Transplant Protocol. My history after transplant is quite unique. Ten years ago I left the hospital 9 days after surgery and have never been admitted for respiratory issues since. I went back to work full time 3 months after transplant with the same company I have worked for 21 years come this January. I have not had a bronchocoscopy in 9 years. I have only had 1 episode of rejections (lowest level) 3 weeks after transplant. If you work with transplant patients (more specifically lungs) you will see a lot of the rules don’t necessarily apply to my particular case. You can also easily see most of the problems transplant patients have to deal with I have (by the grace of God) been able to avoid. The guidelines I have been given are particular to my case. I have no doubt the doctors the two of you work with are experts in their field, but the same rules don’t apply across the board for every case or every organ. I am not questioning your advice, but please be aware that each person is individual in the care required after tranpslant. I feel the advice my doctor gave me was based on my health history, not the generalized transplant protocol. From someone who has received excellent care from the doctors and nurses in the transplant field I thank you both for your input and the care you give those in your care. —Mary
Becky on November 1, 2007 at 8:03 am said:

I will say it again. My cat is doing extremely well since he had the laser declawing over a year ago. He is a very sweet and loving cat. You never hear your comments on this though. Is it just a fluke? I don’t think so. I have had a few cats in the past and even with the old way of doing it I never have a problem with them. They have lived long and health lives and are very pampered. I can look out my window every day and see wild cats running around that only growl at you when you try to call them over. Maybe if someone had taken them in as kittens and they may have been declawed they could have had a loving home. I am sure if they would have had a choice they would have chosen the later. So the self-rightous people out there do not make me guilt ridden and I am sure they have nothing better to do then to cut down people who love there cats and have chosen something that they don’t approve of. So Mary do not let these people get to you. I am sure you love your cat and have done what is necessary for the both of you. Good Luck!