Mine have the fronts ripped out already, they dont have any problems because of it, and they can both still catch the occasional mouse that wanders in from the field.

However, the back claws are in serious danger of coming out too. We just bought leather theater seating that ran just over 4k for the set. Ive noticed that the cats have already put some marks in the leather with their back claws because they jump up and dig in to get traction.
So, come monday I will be calling the vet and discussing the option of rear claw removal.

has anyone else had to do this? does it make it more fun to watch them run across the hardwood floor.

Mine have the fronts ripped out already, they dont have any problems because of it, and they can both still catch the occasional mouse that wanders in from the field.

However, the back claws are in serious danger of coming out too. We just bought leather theater seating that ran just over 4k for the set. Ive noticed that the cats have already put some marks in the leather with their back claws because they jump up and dig in to get traction.
So, come monday I will be calling the vet and discussing the option of rear claw removal.

has anyone else had to do this? does it make it more fun to watch them run across the hardwood floor.
Let the verbal lynching begin

you just need to join a cat club

Hopefully they are in door cats.

Hopefully they are in door cats.

They have never been outside.
I am a responsible pet owner.

Hopefully they are in door cats.

if they're outside, they're supposed to be on a leash

Let the verbal lynching begin

Typical bored BCP. Here hold mah beer and watch this. :ohwell:

Typical bored BCP. Here hold mah beer and watch this. :ohwell:

Actually a serious question for anyone that has had it done.

However I feel I must thank you for your consistent and most informative response to questions.

There could be a considerably less painful approach. How about shutting the door to the movie room? :shrug:

You and your kitties may love each other SO much that you always want to be around each other, but they would probably appreciate it in the long run if you simply kept them out of that area.

Have you tried having them clipped short say every 2-3 weeks? They might even be able to go every 4 weeks...at the cost of $5 per cat??

Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats (http://www.softpaws.com/)

I've never tried these but it beats declawing.

Actually a serious question for anyone that has had it done.

However I feel I must thank you for your consistent and most informative response to questions.

It was a matter of life or death for my cat. Ex was going to have her put to sleep if I didn't get all of her claws removed.

They were done all at once. Sad sight. She still went outside and would terrorize all the neighborhood dogs. She was defenseless and drowned in the neighbor's pool. She fell under the cover and could not get out.

She still had over six years of a good life after all her claws were removed.

Your cats are inside. If they have the fronts already out, the back is not a big deal.

I will tell you that I will NEVER declaw another cat, but I understand why others will.

I adopted a declawed cat many years ago and believe me it was still all cat. It was also an indoor only cat but managed to sneak out the door now and then. A declawed cat can climb to the top of a tree but can't climb back down.

Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats (http://www.softpaws.com/)

I've never tried these but it beats declawing.

I like this.
Worth a try.

see, now this, and Passovers comments were what I was hoping for.
Real suggestions.

Oh, and there is no way to keep them out of that room right now.

I adopted a declawed cat many years ago and believe me it was still all cat. It was also an indoor only cat but managed to sneak out the door now and then. A declawed cat can climb to the top of a tree but can't climb back down.

Our female tabby shows no interest in the outdoors, and that surprises me since she was born outdoors. Hasnt been out since we got her at about 10 weeks old.
the male will rip you apart if you carry him outside, It scares the hell out of him. 14 lbs of pure wimp.

I like this.
Worth a try.

see, now this, and Passovers comments were what I was hoping for.
Real suggestions.

Oh, and there is no way to keep them out of that room right now.to

Where are you located? I will give you a free nail clipping to see if it will work for you in the future..

to

Where are you located? I will give you a free nail clipping to see if it will work for you in the future..

Thats an great offer thanks.
However my sister works at Annapolis animal hospital and I will make her do it.
Have to take the one in for shots next week anyway.

oh, and if I were to go with the taking out the back claws, I would have had to take the cats somewhere else. Only way she would do it is if it was because the owner had a blood clotting problem or something.

personally, I prefer not take the backs. so, Ill get her to cut as short as she can, and Im going to order some of those soft claw things. I did try the boots on them once, they had those back off within ten minutes.

Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats (http://www.softpaws.com/)I have not heard great things about them, but they have a solid 4/5 stars on Amazon. Quite fashionable as well. :lol:



Oh, and there is no way to keep them out of that room right now.Dumb idea, I know, but I had to say it; sometimes the obvious things are the ones you overlook.

Hope something easy works for you - and them.

I have not heard great things about them, but they have a solid 4/5 stars on Amazon. Quite fashionable as well. :lol:



Maybe it will get them to do that take a step, shake a paw, take a step shake paw thing.
cracks me up when they do that.

You hold it by the tail and I got a set of pliers.....:buddies:

You hold it by the tail and I got a set of pliers.....:buddies:

as tempting as that sounds, I think declawing actuall involves taking out more than just the claw.

Im thinking about getting some of those soft paws things. Im going to order pink for the male cat. Since hes been fixed, he shoudnt mind looking gay

as tempting as that sounds, I think declawing actuall involves taking out more than just the claw.

Im thinking about getting some of those soft paws things. Im going to order pink for the male cat. Since hes been fixed, he shoudnt mind looking gay

:roflmao:...#### me..

Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats (http://www.softpaws.com/)

I've never tried these but it beats declawing.

We tried these on my 2 cats when we first got them 6 years ago. We were lucky if they lasted more than 2 hours. They just ripped them off. They were such a pain to put on too.. Trying to hold a cat still is hard enough, without trying to glue on 10 individual tiny caps. So we decided to have their fronts taken out, but not the back so they could still have some kind of defense in case they ever got out.

I like this.
Worth a try.


Don't bother with it. They are a pain in the butt to put on, and they only last maybe 2 weeks.

I used the nail caps for a while with great success. I'm not using them anymore because a) I have fake nails and trying to use nail glue on them was impossible without damaging my own nails b) the cat is spoiled rotten prima donna and acts like I'm trying to kill her c) husband is useless in this area and all others that include medicine, etc. - he spoils her and she sucks right up to him.

This is the cat that acted like I had poisoned her when I tried to give her liquid medicine. Ran all over the house gagging and slobbering - all over my new furniture to boot! My cat has a personality disorder so you can't take her behavior as that of all cats.

I used to go to the Petco in Waldorf and the grooming place would put them on for me. They do work but are a maintenance issue - IMHO a much better alteranative to cutting their paws off at the knuckle - thinking about doing that to a human is just agonizing!

Why did you buy the leather furniture and put it in a room that you can't shut the door for with cats? You don't have any little kids do you? They slobber and scratch things up too you know.

Don't bother with it. They are a pain in the butt to put on, and they only last maybe 2 weeks.

I used the nail caps for a while with great success. I'm not using them anymore because a) I have fake nails and trying to use nail glue on them was impossible without damaging my own nails b) the cat is spoiled rotten prima donna and acts like I'm trying to kill her c) husband is useless in this area and all others that include medicine, etc. - he spoils her and she sucks right up to him.

This is the cat that acted like I had poisoned her when I tried to give her liquid medicine. Ran all over the house gagging and slobbering - all over my new furniture to boot! My cat has a personality disorder so you can't take her behavior as that of all cats.

I used to go to the Petco in Waldorf and the grooming place would put them on for me. They do work but are a maintenance issue - IMHO a much better alteranative to cutting their paws off at the knuckle - thinking about doing that to a human is just agonizing!

Why did you buy the leather furniture and put it in a room that you can't shut the door for with cats? You don't have any little kids do you? They slobber and scratch things up too you know.


:killingme

I used to go to the Petco in Waldorf and the grooming place would put them on for me. They do work but are a maintenance issue - IMHO a much better alteranative to cutting their paws off at the knuckle - thinking about doing that to a human is just agonizing!

Why did you buy the leather furniture and put it in a room that you can't shut the door for with cats? You don't have any little kids do you? They slobber and scratch things up too you know.

when I had my old cloth crap in the room, the cats had no interest in it. Who would have guessed that leather was so appealing to a cat...

No, I do not have any little kids that slobber all over things anymore. However, for those that do, did you all know that you can remove the childs slobber glands to protect the furniture?

I figure in another 10 years I should be doing enough slobbering on my own.. plan on getting another one of those nasty boxer drool machines at that time so I can blame it on him.
Boxer I had years ago would always have these slobber strings hanging out his mouth, sometimes he would get slobber bubbles, then he would shake his head and the crap would be dripping down the walls, off the tv, off peoples faces...
Beautiful dogs, but nasty.. dont even get near one if it farts.

Cats are great like that aren't they? No interest at all in something you invite them to lay on, scratch up, or whatever their little heart desires but when the good stuff comes in they are ready to "break it in" for you in a heartbeat!

Other then becoming one of those crazy people with protective plastic on their furniture, or covering when not in use - the best suggestion I can give is to get a door on that room asap. I realize you've had the front paws declawed but it makes me shudder when I think about what is really being done to them when they are declawed. Read up on it - you may change your mind - but you may not - it's still your choice here - in some countries declawing is illegal.

The furniture sounds really nice though! NO slobbery dogs EVER for me! The kids are gone too - it's SO nice! :)

when I had my old cloth crap in the room, the cats had no interest in it. Who would have guessed that leather was so appealing to a cat...

No, I do not have any little kids that slobber all over things anymore. However, for those that do, did you all know that you can remove the childs slobber glands to protect the furniture?

I figure in another 10 years I should be doing enough slobbering on my own.. plan on getting another one of those nasty boxer drool machines at that time so I can blame it on him.
Boxer I had years ago would always have these slobber strings hanging out his mouth, sometimes he would get slobber bubbles, then he would shake his head and the crap would be dripping down the walls, off the tv, off peoples faces...
Beautiful dogs, but nasty.. dont even get near one if it farts.

No, I do not have any little kids that slobber all over things anymore. However, for those that do, did you all know that you can remove the childs slobber glands to protect the furniture?:lmao: This should be copied to Parenting & Children...

cut it out before we declaw YOU .... :tap:

You hold it by the tail and I got a set of pliers.....:buddies:

They are your cats. If the vet is willing to do the surgery than it's up to you, and nobody else's business.

Personally, I've never had a declawed cat, to me that is like removing a dog's teeth, it is their primary defensive weapon... but then, all my furniture gets destroyed by dogs, so I doubt a cat would get the chance to do much, haha.

We cut off balls and scoop out uterus and ovaries to avoid having to actually control and confine... because we are lazy and irresponsible. But god forbid you clip an ear, dock a tail, or take out a nail. :rolleyes:

cut it out before we declaw YOU .... :tap:

:razz:

Declawing is not simply taking out a nail. It is amputating their "toes" at the first knuckle. Sometimes the claws try to grow back in and then a whole slew of medical problems arise. If you take a pair of pliers and pull out one of your fingernails, it will hurt like hell but a new nail will grow back in it's place. That is the same for cats so removing the nail itself won't solve your problem. In order to get the claws to stop growing, the whole mechanism has to be removed. Cat's claws are different then our fingernails in their form and function.

JMHO FWIW!

If you want to see the technical side of it:
DECLAWING: What You Need to Know (http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm)


They are your cats. If the vet is willing to do the surgery than it's up to you, and nobody else's business.

Personally, I've never had a declawed cat, to me that is like removing a dog's teeth, it is their primary defensive weapon... but then, all my furniture gets destroyed by dogs, so I doubt a cat would get the chance to do much, haha.

We cut off balls and scoop out uterus and ovaries to avoid having to actually control and confine... because we are lazy and irresponsible. But god forbid you clip an ear, dock a tail, or take out a nail. :rolleyes:

We cut off balls and scoop out uterus and ovaries to avoid having to actually control and confine... because we are lazy and irresponsible. But god forbid you clip an ear, dock a tail, or take out a nail. :rolleyes:

That's not at all why I spay and neuter my animals. And there's a difference in putting an animal through surgery for a health reason versus just cosmetic reasons.

.

We cut off balls and scoop out uterus and ovaries to avoid having to actually control and confine... because we are lazy and irresponsible.

I thought you were smarter than this. :shrug:

Declawing is not simply taking out a nail. It is amputating their "toes" at the first knuckle. Sometimes the claws try to grow back in and then a whole slew of medical problems arise. If you take a pair of pliers and pull out one of your fingernails, it will hurt like hell but a new nail will grow back in it's place. That is the same for cats so removing the nail itself won't solve your problem. In order to get the claws to stop growing, the whole mechanism has to be removed. Cat's claws are different then our fingernails in their form and function.

JMHO FWIW!

If you want to see the technical side of it:
DECLAWING: What You Need to Know (http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm)

The line of amputation is just anterior the third phalanx, thus removing the Ungual process completely. They will only try to 'grow' back in if the procedure is not properly done in the first place. I'm quite familiar with the procedure, thanks. If I wasn't, I would not be eliciting my opinion. As far as 'painful', as long as it is done by a qualified vet under anasthesia, I see no difference between it and any other surgery despite the rhetoric.

Here is a person with cats that live inside, and are well cared for. What would you have as an alternative? The cats dropped at the pound where they would likely wind up euthanized?

As long as an owner is putting in the effort to care properly for their animals, and sees to their welfare and security, people need to keep their noses out.

Reminds me of the great animal rights folks who jump on me for having dogs that are cropped/docked, or using an ecollar or prong collar, and later they come begging for aid because their Fido 'ran off', or 'boo hoo' because Fifi got hit by a truck. I know where my dogs are...

He knows where his cats are. They are not going to get hit by cars or get rabies or killed by stray dogs or racoons, and likely will never have to face the pound as long as busybodies stay out of his business. They have nice, comfortable little indoor lives. If he wants to declaw, that's his prerogative. I never would, but those aren't my cats. :yay:

I thought you were smarter than this. :shrug:

Um, what?

So we DON'T advocate spaying to keep dogs from having unwanted puppies?

I have had several intact dogs and b*tches. NEVER had a litter that wasn't part of a planned breeding.

My dog can't breed with another dog if it is leashed to me, or confined to my home / yard or she is in a crate when she's in heat.

And before anyone gets all into the 'health benefits', playing that card is akin to saying one should play the lottery because of the monetary benefits. Things like Pio? Completely avoidable.

Behavior? Surgery is no replacement for proper trainining.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying one should not spay / neuter, I'm an ardent supporter of owners doing so. I just see it as an elective procedure that has become necessary because OTHER people are stupid, thanks. And more than a little bit irresponsible. Cuz we all know how much a pain in the ass it is to actually control our animals and not let them run around the neighborhood right? And how tough it is to train them, or crate them, etc? :lmao:

It's a two faced argument to say you should spay / neuter but don't crop / dock / declaw.

And before anyone gets all into the 'health benefits', playing that card is akin to saying one should play the lottery because of the monetary benefits. Things like Pio? Completely avoidable.



I'm assuming you are referring to "pyo" as in pyometra? Well, that's ONE thing and not even the most common.

I'm assuming you are referring to "pyo" as in pyometra? Well, that's ONE thing and not even the most common.

I wouldnt say "not common"..... We see a few of these a week :shrug:

....more common than you think. And the sad thing is .. owner will then put their dogs to sleep because they cant pay for the surgery. .... and this could have been prevented :banghead:

now with that said... some pyo's are worse than others.. meaning a close is worse than an open pyo. .... not saying that either is good to have or the dog can wait for vet care.... thats a large pus filled uterus just sitting there..and yep...:dead:

I wouldnt say "not common"..... We see a few of these a week :shrug:


I didn't say that.

I'm assuming you are referring to "pyo" as in pyometra? Well, that's ONE thing and not even the most common.



I'm 'that stupid' remember? :dork: Wasn't aware that a typo would be my deth knell. :rolleyes:

The point should be, does one take responsible care of their animals or not?

IMHO,

If your dogs / cats are running loose outside, no.

If you have frequent escapes, no.

If you don't have regular vet/med care done, no.

If they have parasites that are preventable through regular care, no.

Declawing a cat doesn't even come close the above.

I mean come on. What do you think kills more cats? Cars and dogs when they are loose outside, or declawing surgery when they are inside? That SHOULD be the point. Of course, when one shouts and yells about how cruel and painful things are that they themselves have no need for or would personally never do, it sure makes one feel good I guess. Perhaps they could have planned better on furniture and doors. Well boo hoo. Hindsight is 20/20. We see people on here giving pets away for less reasons. At least they want to keep theirs. :yay:

I'm 'that stupid' remember? :dork:

There again..I did not say that.

Ya'll enjoy yourselves. :lol:

There again..I did not say that.

Ya'll enjoy yourselves. :lol:

"I thought you were smarter than this."

Fine, I shouldn't have used the quotes.

The implication is the same.

:shrug:

That's not at all why I spay and neuter my animals. And there's a difference in putting an animal through surgery for a health reason versus just cosmetic reasons.

Not that I disagree, but curious which health issue you refer to.

Not that I disagree, but curious which health issue you refer to.

Spayed and neutered pets live longer..it prevents several types of fairly common cancers. Testicular cancer is the leading cancer in intact males :shrug:

Not that I disagree, but curious which health issue you refer to.

If you spay a dog before the first heat I know you virtually eliminate the risk of breast cancer. Males can't get testicular cancer if they don't have nuts.

I'm not opposed to declawing cats if they're inside pets. The declaws today are not what they were 20 years ago. Hell, 10 years ago they weren't what they were 20 years ago. I've seen hundreds of them done with a lazer and the cats are up and walking as soon as they wake up. No bleeding or pain meds either.

If you spay a dog before the first heat I know you virtually eliminate the risk of breast cancer. Males can't get testicular cancer if they don't have nuts.

I'm not opposed to declawing cats if they're inside pets. The declaws today are not what they were 20 years ago. Hell, 10 years ago they weren't what they were 20 years ago. I've seen hundreds of them done with a lazer and the cats are up and walking as soon as they wake up. No bleeding or pain meds either.

I was specifically asking cowgirl, I know there are cancer issues, etc I was curious what she was specifically concerned about.

:yay:

NEVER spay / neuter before one year. Doing so can drastically increase the risk of bone cancer, particularly in females. See that? an added risk to spaying. :yay:

OK, honestly? Here's my whole issue with THAT topic... LOL. First, both my current dogs are "fixed". However, if I ever choose NOT to "fix", does that make me an irresponsible owner?

Consider that. We berate people who do not spay / nueter... why? If I have an intact male or female, that by no means means they will contribute to unwanted pups. No dog of mine would have the opportunity, spayed / neutered or not.

As far as health goes, well, that's a bit of give / take. 40+ years ago, dogs lived longer. It's documented. Mainly due to diet, pre-kibble, pre-corn based crap, pre- breeding by ruler and protracter. There was also NO push for spaying and neutering, male dogs were not having cancerous testicles exploding in the street, females were not in constant phantom pregnancy, etc.

So what's the deal? How much is propoganda and how much it truth? There of course is an element of truth to the health issues, but how about hard numbers? Does anyone really know?

I ask, because next time you do a spay to a pet, read the consent form. I mean, REALLY read it. :yay: Death is not as uncommon during spaying as some may think.

I'd be curious to see hard statistics weighing both 'sides'.

As I said, I DO spay / neuter. Gotta be an example for the unwashed masses and all :lmao: but something to think about...

I was specifically asking cowgirl, I know there are cancer issues, etc I was curious what she was specifically concerned about.

:yay:

NEVER spay / neuter before one year. Doing so can drastically increase the risk of bone cancer, particularly in females. See that? an added risk to spaying. :yay:



I was talking about increased risk for cancers. And my Scooter who is going on 15 years was neutered incredibly early. SMAWL neutered him at ~7 weeks right before I adopted him at 8 weeks. He (knock on wood) hasn't had any issues.

As far as health goes, well, that's a bit of give / take. 40+ years ago, dogs lived longer. It's documented. Mainly due to diet, pre-kibble, pre-corn based crap, pre- breeding by ruler and protracter.

I'd be curious to read more about dogs living longer 40+ years ago. Can you provide a link or something?

I'd be curious to read more about dogs living longer 40+ years ago. Can you provide a link or something?

I'll look around, see if there is anything hard out there. Otherwise, a lot of literary references are out there, explorers and other key peoles that have been written about that had dogs... you can get a pretty good idea how long the pet lived even if they don't specify.

I know this doesn't really count, but as a matter of trivia, the record of longevity amongst dogs belongs to Adjutant, a black Labrador. It lived 37 years and 3 months (August 1936 - November 1973) and belonged to James Hawkes of Lincolnshire (England).

I was talking about increased risk for cancers. And my Scooter who is going on 15 years was neutered incredibly early. SMAWL neutered him at ~7 weeks right before I adopted him at 8 weeks. He (knock on wood) hasn't had any issues.

Oh geeze why'd they do that? 7 weeks? Seriously?

Oh geeze why'd they do that? 7 weeks? Seriously?

:shrug: My middle dog was neutered early, at around 11 weeks I think. Most groups spay/neuter before they adopt out. Our puppy isn't neutered yet, but will be relatively soon.

:shrug: My middle dog was neutered early, at around 11 weeks I think. Most groups spay/neuter before they adopt out. Our puppy isn't neutered yet, but will be relatively soon.

Neutersol. :yay:

Well, there's still studying to be done regarding the benefit / risk of early neutering... For me, it has more to do with hormones and behavior. I WANT a bit of natural aggression and strong natural drives. Neutering too early can really whack that up, I suppose for most people they actually seek that... But for me, a dog without strong defense drive just isn't any fun. :yay:

:shrug: My middle dog was neutered early, at around 11 weeks I think. Most groups spay/neuter before they adopt out. Our puppy isn't neutered yet, but will be relatively soon.

:yay:
I didnt do my one GSD till 9 months, my female till she was over a year (but that a whole other story LOL) she was pexied at the same time, my BH was done AS soon as I got him due to my Female was not spayed yet..so he was done at 4 1/2 months ... I do wish I had waited longer if I could have... maybe he would have found some smarts LOL, and my other female BH was spayed at 9 months because I wanted her pexied and her growth plates had to be closed or close to closing so we knew she was as big as she was getting to pexi her without doing damage to her.

If you spay a dog before the first heat I know you virtually eliminate the risk of breast cancer. Males can't get testicular cancer if they don't have nuts.

I'm not opposed to declawing cats if they're inside pets. The declaws today are not what they were 20 years ago. Hell, 10 years ago they weren't what they were 20 years ago. I've seen hundreds of them done with a lazer and the cats are up and walking as soon as they wake up. No bleeding or pain meds either.

I agree with the front claws, but Im not real sure about the backs, thats why I asked on this thread.
Im getting the nailes clipped as short as they can be clipped and see if that solves the problem.
My first choice is not to do the de claw on the back.

I agree with the front claws, but Im not real sure about the backs, thats why I asked on this thread.
Im getting the nailes clipped as short as they can be clipped and see if that solves the problem.
My first choice is not to do the de claw on the back.

Well, I do know that a cat with back claws can still climb pretty well, without, well, they are SOL. But since they are indoor cats... :shrug: