Re: declawed cat question

lynne6was7 · ‎03-15-2010

Cats can have a defect where they can't extend their claws. If that's her case, she won't be able to defend herself outside. (Even a cat with short-clipped nails should be able to extend them, and you would feel them although not needle-like.)

I hope you can get her to a nice, safe home. But, if it appears she is nursing, you will have to find the kittens too. Maybe if you start setting out food, she'll bring the kittens to you. (That's what happened to me many years ago. I ended up taking in mama and four kittens. They were lovely pets even though originally "feral." They immediately adapted to housecat status.) Good luck - a plus that she let you hold her.

geezerette · ‎03-16-2010

@lynne6was7 wrote:
Cats can have a defect where they can't extend their claws. If that's her case, she won't be able to defend herself outside. (Even a cat with short-clipped nails should be able to extend them, and you would feel them although not needle-like.)

I hope you can get her to a nice, safe home. But, if it appears she is nursing, you will have to find the kittens too. Maybe if you start setting out food, she'll bring the kittens to you. (That's what happened to me many years ago. I ended up taking in mama and four kittens. They were lovely pets even though originally "feral." They immediately adapted to housecat status.) Good luck - a plus that she let you hold her.

Also, some cats just don't naturally extend their claws when they're on you. I have two cats and I keep their nails trimmed on both of them. But one always curls his toes and claws while kneading, playing, or just sitting on me. The other one doesn't do that at all. He can be playing with me and I'd never know he has claws because he doesn't extend them with me.

Sushismom · ‎03-09-2010

@StylishLady wrote:
Year ago, DH picked up a stray kitten off the road, a really nice all black cat. She had the misfortune of clawing my curtains to chase flies. It was either "declaw" or SPCA. We chose the former. She lived a full life to age 21.

I'd chose DIFFERENT or NO curtains. And if your curtains were more important to you than maiming your cat, well...

candys mine · ‎08-20-2012

I just have to remember that times have changed. Years ago, declawing was 'a thing to do" with a housecat. Dogs the were lucky to be let into the livingroom let alone on the BED! TImes change, people understand more about their pets and the proceedures they are having done to them. there's more than one way to declaw a cat. the guillitine clipper method, the disection method, the laser method. all remove the nail at the first knuckle. there's even a method that cuts the tendon so they have the claw bur CAN"T extend the nail. How rediculously inhumane is that? Rarely there is a medical reason where an injury may require declawing but c'mon people, if you take the cat, you get the claws too.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Several states have now prohibited the declawing of cats. Such a heartless thing to do to an animal!

happycat · ‎09-18-2010

Well, the cat never did come back. I left food out there for her, I'm guessing maybe she does have a home, it was canned cat food, my cats gobble it right down. If she comes back, I'll take her to the vet to check for a microchip.

I really don't think she was declawed, after reading your responses. She definitely had claws, I saw them, I guess she just didn't use them when she was wanting down.

Sushismom · ‎03-09-2010

@candys mine wrote:
I just have to remember that times have changed. Years ago, declawing was 'a thing to do" with a housecat. Dogs the were lucky to be let into the livingroom let alone on the BED!

I've had cats for 64 years. Never had ANY of them declawed. Nor did anyone I knew who had cats declaw them.

candys mine · ‎08-20-2012

@SushismomI am not pointing a finger. I am just saying that Declawing USED TO BE a more accepted (Note I do not say acceptable) thing. Otherwise Veterinarians would not have been taught how to do it.

NickNack · ‎03-10-2010

Many many years ago I declawed my cat. I thought it was just something that was done to indoor cats and had no idea what was actually done. There was no internet to look up these things. When I found out much later I was very sorry.

My cat, Henry, never scratches my furniture. Before I got him I bought a nice vertical scratching post and a horizontal one. He uses the vertical one all the time.

I get his claws trimmed every four weeks. I keep track of it on my phone. I have tried to trim them myself but he squirms too much. My friend used to help me, but she won't come over now because of coronavirus. I've been taking him to have them cut since March.

The Bluebird Carries The Sky On His Back"
-Henry David Thoreau

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

@Venezia wrote:
No, it sounds like her owner just keeps her claws clipped, as s(he) should. When they're clipped, it removes the "hook" from the claw that catches on things.

There is absolutely no excuse for declawing a cat. Barbaric is the word for it, all right, and it should be banned, as it is in most European countries.

It's illegal in New York and no vet will do it in NY.