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All of my childhood cats were declawed (probably about 5 or 6 that I can think of) and none had crippling or were aggressive or in pain! The cat we have now was not declawed and she scratched everything from Egyptian cotton bed sheets to leather items to microfibre to even the carpet. She has numerous scratch posts (even the huge three tier $150 one) and all this still happens. We try to keep her claws cut. It's not just that she scratches but it's just because the way she stands (puts holes in things from jumping) or when she's sleepy she starts kneeding with her nails. When we get another cat they will be declawed in the front paws as from personal experience in both methods, a ton of money is spend replacing items or constantly having to stop the cat from picking at things with her claws. Also to point out - she may even appear to be more aggressive then most of my cats I had grown up with!  
Definitely a personal opinion for the op but there are people who are far too opinionated and should read responses with a grain of salt!  
Hope you come to a decision you are happy with!

Don, only some 'barn cats' live 10+ years - many die long before that, from accidents, disease, predators, cars, etc. And not all 'got along fine' before 'we started spaying/ neutering them' - some died due to birth complications, uterine infections, and from cars/ predators/ accidents when driven by hormones to find a mate and wander long distances. Not to mention the literally thousands of offspring that unfixed cats can have in their lifetime that can suffer the same fate.  
 
Also, declawing a cat is NOT the same as removing a finger or toe nail. It is the same as amputating each digit at the first knuckle, removing an entire bone from each one.

I've been in vet clinics more than a few times and every time I'm amazed at the number of pets that I see, which means without intervention by vets a whole lot of cats and dogs would likely be dead because of things that affect their health, and some of those things are things that don't affect barn cats. The final digit that you talk about is the digit that makes a cats claw retractable, but it is not something that drastically affects mobility of the cat like if a person loses a toe. We do all sorts of thing to our pets that might seem extremely cruel. If people had not developed a dental medicine program, people would likely consider it cruel to remove teeth, and yet we do it in man and beast.  
 
There are some fine lines here, we choose to remove certain parts for convience or the well being of the animal and yet other things are considered taboo. I've seen cats, which are in my opinion being treated badly because they are so obese, and that obesity may be affecting the health and life expectincy of the animal, but because it is the owners choice I won't criticize.

curlysister said "Don, only some 'barn cats' live 10+ years - many die long before that, from accidents, disease, predators, cars, etc. And not all 'got along fine' before 'we started spaying/ neutering them' - some died due to birth complications, uterine infections, and from cars/ predators/ accidents when driven by hormones to find a mate and wander long distances. Not to mention the literally thousands of offspring that unfixed cats can have in their lifetime that can suffer the same fate.     Also, declawing a cat is NOT the same as removing a finger or toe nail. It is the same as amputating each digit at the first knuckle, removing an entire bone from each one. "

it is all opinion like anything else here. The against ones keep mentioning cat pain I don't understand that human surgeries (no matter type) are pain also it seems ok by against-declaw voters.  
How do you know how painful was for Don.  
Sounds like the vet remove the entire cat paw. Again I haven't really got one person say that declaw their turn out very bad for their cat I hear opposite that the cat was fine after healed.  
I guess I should have left the kitten having no home and freeze to die. It sounds not good and fun the cat

I have tried different scratch post for my other cat and she is still not using she uses my furniture so if my new kitten does the same I will have bunch of fuzzy furniture. Maybe it works for most but doesn't it works for all.  
Might as well live in a barn. So many cats and kittens on ebrandon looking for a home and I get slam on my head taking one more and wanting to declaw.

If you're set on declawing already why bother posting? You've obviously already made up your mind am I right? We're trying to persuade you to go a less destructive route for your cat, but it's always going to be your choice.  
 
If your other cat isn't using the scratching posts, persuade it to. sprinkle some catnip or treats on and around the post. It's like training a child. Positive reinforcement.

1 chance said "    curlysister said "Don, only some 'barn cats' live 10+ years - many die long before that, from accidents, disease, predators, cars, etc. And not all 'got along fine' before 'we started spaying/ neutering them' - some died due to birth complications, uterine infections, and from cars/ predators/ accidents when driven by hormones to find a mate and wander long distances. Not to mention the literally thousands of offspring that unfixed cats can have in their lifetime that can suffer the same fate.     Also, declawing a cat is NOT the same as removing a finger or toe nail. It is the same as amputating each digit at the first knuckle, removing an entire bone from each one. " it is all opinion like anything else here. The against ones keep mentioning cat pain I don't understand that human surgeries (no matter type) are pain also it seems ok by against-declaw voters.   How do you know how painful was for Don.   Sounds like the vet remove the entire cat paw. Again I haven't really got one person say that declaw their turn out very bad for their cat I hear opposite that the cat was fine after healed.   I guess I should have left the kitten having no home and freeze to die. It sounds not good and fun the cat "

I think the pain people are talking about is [i]phantom limb pain[/i], google this for your self.  
 
Basically the removal of a limb or digit can cause lifelong nerve sensations and pain, the missing limb or digit can even get itchy, but there's nothing there to scratch, and no way to make it go away.  
 
Don't compare amputation surgery to incision surgery.  
And at that, cat declawing isn't even a delicate procedure, the most common method utilizes a tool very similar to a cigar cutter, they just take the anaesthetised cats paws and quickly snip off the last digit of all the toes.  
 
How do people know their cat is not in pain or having nerve issues years later? Did they ask the cat? Could it not be possible that the cat could still experience the pain and sensations related to amputation but not to such a degree that it's laying there howling? It might just be quietly uncomfortable about it.  
 
Granted, not everyobe with an amputated limb or digit experiences phantom limb pain and so perhaps not every cat gets it, but considering that they're having every digit amputated, could it not be reasonable to presume that they might experience lifelong problems in at least one or 2 digits at least?

Knucklehead said "If you're set on declawing already why bother posting? You've obviously already made up your mind am I right? We're trying to persuade you to go a less destructive route for your cat, but it's always going to be your choice.     If your other cat isn't using the scratching posts, persuade it to. sprinkle some catnip or treats on and around the post. It's like training a child. Positive reinforcement. "

My mind wasn't set when I posted this subject so you are wrong Mr judge Knucklehead! I thought, read, talked with others on that subject since the beginning.  
Let me add Mr 'Mr judge' don't you think I haven't tried your suggestion to my other cat ...this cat is coming to 19 years old so do you think persuade a positive reinforcement on a 92 year old human will work good. that age they don't care much on treats or toys

I am not comparing amputation surgery to incision surgery....you are, not me.  
No I never had success talk to a cat, HAVE YOU been able talk to a cat???  

1 chance said "I am not comparing amputation surgery to incision surgery....you are, not me.   No I never had success talk to a cat, HAVE YOU been able talk to a cat???   "

You brought up human surgeries on 5 different occasions to (presumably) justify declawing, which in most surgery, a surgical incision is made through the skin to facilitate the operation or procedure, no limbs or digits are removed. (Organs and such aren't wired into the nervous system the same way)  
 
In fairness you should only be using human amputations to justify cat amputations, in human amputations phantom limb sensations occur in 60-80% of cases, and the majority of the sensations manifest as pain.  
 
No I can't talk to a cat either, that's my point.  
 
I think it's great that you brought this up for discussion to hear opinions and asked for alternatives, and did some research on it, so you can make an informed decision, kudos to that. I'm not trying to criticize you.

It's Miss not Mr thank you very much. You're asking for opinions and alternate ways to deter scratching, yet you say you're being slammed. You really don't seem open to any of the suggestions to try and help in other ways.  
 
You actually kind of sound like you want people to feel bad about your furniture, which from all the replies you've gotten is not going to happen. A cat is a cat and they have needs and instincts just like anyone else.  
 
I can't get through my head why anyone would subject a family member to such an inhumane procedure.

RC123 said "So a few years down the road when the cat has clawed all the furniture, carpet, etc and the family has had enough and then get rid of it, abandon it, euthanize it....that sounds more pleasant for the cat?? "

I've had many cats in my 27 years and I don't declaw them non of them. People who want a cat should do some research. If you want a cat that's great but like any pet their can be issues. Dogs chew furniture should we remove their teeth? No we get them chew toys we figure it out so why is a cat any different if they scratch your things get them a scratch post and some soft paws. Yes soft paws come off cause cats nails grow so there is some maintenance. Honestly do you think there are no declawed cats at the pound that have been gotten rid of, abandoned or ones that ended up euthanized? It's not more pleasant for a cat do you even know the process of getting their claws removed? How much physical pain there is? How much they can suffer mentally for it or the infections they can get and the crippling it can do? Those who say they did it and there cat is happy that's great your one of the lucky ones. Just imagen how many cats ended up not so happy and how awful their owners felt? Seriously watch the documentary "The Paw Project" and educate yourself for your cat's sake!

When my two kittens were first brought home they loved to scratch the bed. They never bothered with anything else. So we have a cat tree in the living room and a scratching post in the bedroom for them to scratch. It took them a little bit of time to realize what they were allowed to scratch and what they were not allowed to scratch. Just be patient and work with them.

 
 
Edited by Katherine., 2015-12-07 17:20:02

 
 
In case anyone doesn't have Netflix!  
 
FYI declawing is BANNED in 22 countries... Just because we haven't made that list doesn't mean you shouldn't see the message in the fact that 22 countries realise how wrong it is!  
 
Edited by Katherine., 2015-12-07 17:24:47

I was looking at the soft paws again, for $18.95 online you get 40 caps, enough for 4 applications on the front paws, each application lasts 4-6 weeks, meaning each $20 kit lasts 4-6 months.  
 
The declaw surgery costs $300 which is equal to up to 7.5 years of nailcaps.  
For the same price of declawing, you can buy yourself a 7 year training window, but if the cat hasn't learned not to scratch on furniture after a year it probably won't ever learn, giving you 6 more years of time to find it a barn to live in, no need to ever euthanize it.  
(Edit, seen another website selling 3packs(120 caps) for $40US, and another selling single kits(40caps) for $14CAN)  
 
Edited by Enfyre, 2015-12-07 17:29:49

People may not know all the signs cats show due to being declawed. When i was younger my parents declawed him, and yes when he was a kitten it was all fine and dandy, but as he got older he would never poop in his litter box, he would always poop beside it, then he started peeing beside it as well.. And it was blamed on him being a "bad cat" which now researching it, that is one of the most common things cats do after being delcawed. it is a big decision. But remember its your cats toes your cutting off, not the nails alone.

I think if you check into some of the sites that deal with problems that cats have as they age, you will find that cats are very prone to arthritis in their feet and toes from a very early age, the pain from arthritis seems to be one of the main reason that cats quit using litter boxes. There was the mention of phantom pain from being declawed, and don't doubt that this does happen, but judging pain and attributing it to a cause is sort of difficult to do.  
 
There was a comment about doing something cruel to a family member, and that causes me to pause a bit and just think about how we do treat members of our human family as they age or if they suffer from a medical condition that causes them much pain, some people suffer greatly at times from both emotional or medical conditions and sometimes it is family members that cause or fail to recognize the pain that people go through. This may seem to be off topic, but if I treated animals on our farm the way some people are treated by family or even the medical system, I would be in jail.  
 
Just my opinion, but the idea of a pain free life from birth till death just doesn't exist, neither for man nor beast, and judging that pain or even quality of life is impossible to do  
 
We had a cat dropped of here once who just didn't seem normal in some ways, kept him around for about six months and he ate,slept in the sun, and in general enjoyed life and would purr if you picked him up. We finally took him to the vet who knew who the cat belonged to, and had figured he had long since passed away from a know medical problem that was supposed to be very painful. We were convinced to put this cat down, which in hindsight I consider a big mistake. There is a point where a person does know that it is time but many animals adapt to pain and seem to live and enjoy life, similar to what many people do. Sometimes pain seems to be a subjective thing in both people and animals.

I just watched the whole thing. Thanks for posting, this is a well done documentary.  
 
Why anyone would consider amputation of the last joint of a cats paws is beyond me. I have seen cats that have been handed over to shelters because of the problems that declawing causes, its pretty sad.  
 
I hope more countries follow along with bans.  
 
 
 
 
Edited by on-second-thought, 2015-12-07 21:14:41

Always willing to change my mind, explain the problems that these cats have, maybe excluding infections following surgery, which is something that can happen with any surgery. List some of the problems, and I'll check with a few vets to see if they will verify that the problems where the direct result of declawing.  
 
Also a question about neutering , why do people neutering male cats, I keep hearing that it is to prevent unwanted kittens, but male cats don't have kittens, so it must being done for other reasons, and it is well documented the bad results, health wise, that can happen because of low testosterone.  
 
Just for the record, we have cats, lots of cats, and I like cats, and not a single one has been declawed, and in this debate we assuming many things without proof one way or another, which is why I believe it is up to the owner to decide.  
 
I could also say that some people know of cat scratch disease, and the severity of this disease, and if the medical field felt that there were to many instances of this disease happening and put forth a recommendation for declawing it would likely not be well accepted but might add a different dimension to the topic. Before people say that this is a silly idea just look at cities that put bans in place on certain breeds of dogs, public perception can sway our attitudes on many topics.

Do not reply if it is to bashing/criticize me. I visited couple vet clinics so just to let some people know there is a clinic that they will do only one method of declaw surgery which the laser way that is better for the cats. If anyone were undecided and debating what to do also.  
All single responses received from here and others I had talked, all said their cat was fine after surgery, cat is happy and no limping whatsoever and my declaw cat I lost did 10 happy years and walking, jumping fine. I had one cat and a dog walking cripple a bit which was due to AGING not declaw because there both weren't declawed.  
You can have different opinion but no need to push me down to the ground with your comment words to make me feel a mean, bad,dirt, butcher, or poacher person because I am not.  

1 chance said "Do not reply if it is to bashing/criticize me. I visited couple vet clinics so just to let some people know there is a clinic that they will do only one method of declaw surgery which the laser way that is better for the cats. If anyone were undecided and debating what to do also.   All single responses received from here and others I had talked, all said their cat was fine after surgery, cat is happy and no limping whatsoever and my declaw cat I lost did 10 happy years and walking, jumping fine. I had one cat and a dog walking cripple a bit which was due to AGING not declaw because there both weren't declawed.   You can have different opinion but no need to push me down to the ground with your comment words to make me feel a mean, bad,dirt, butcher, or poacher person because I am not.   "

I don't know why you even started this thread, seems like you already had your mind made up. Did you really think you could start a thread like this with no backlash?

NO I did not have my mind set up when I posted it that is how you took it or read it. I said was debating on the subject. I searched on line, posted the question, read all comments, did some thinking, and as said earlier I talked to people in person also, one had suggested me to talk to a clinic.  
So your assumption about me is wrong there.

few years ago I posted (actually my 1st question) a question on ebrandon about cat training using a human toilet and one replied to me of laziness and is like getting a robot to get a beer. What answer is that! 1st I am not lazy, 2nd I do not like beer, 3rd my question wasn't about who will train my cat or clean up my cat, it was how to train the cat. Some how the answer to you on ebrandon is insulting and madning. Let me tell me that me got up and walk in the kitchen back and forth for a while. Was upsetting get that answer of laziness when that day I biked almost 3 hours, ran 1 hour and rollerblade 45 minutes.  
So I do not ask question because i have nothing to do so ebrandon repliers be polite when giving you answer

Get your kitten used to you handling his/her paws and clip their nails like you would if you had a dog. My 3 year old boy is a stray rescue and I have been clipping his claws since he was a kitten. He dislikes the process but puts up with it. LOL I even had another cat come and use the scratching posts I have around the house to show him and have the scent of a cat on the posts to encourage him to use them.  
 
Since then, I have never had any problems with him scratching furniture or drapery. Mind you I have been diligent about scolding him about those types of behaviours. Training cats is possible, it just takes a little longer and requires a bit more patience and perseverance.  
 
There is no humane quick fix! You must be willing to put in the time and effort into training, as with any pet, otherwise maybe a pet is not an option for you or your family. I would encourage you to try other options.

If it were me, I'd explore some of the great suggestions before making the decision to declaw a feline friend, which the OP is doing and deserves credit for.  
 
The Turbo Scratcher purchase saved our furniture. Our guy loves it and has been diverted from the furniture. You can get it locally at PetValu and other stores. Here it is on Amazon so you can read the reviews.  
 
http://www.amazon.com/Bergan-Turbo-Scratcher-Colors-Vary/dp/B000IYSAIW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1449679627&sr=8-2&keywords=turbo+scratcher  
 
Also, Feliway pheremone spray (it goes on the places you don't want clawed, not the cat). It was a great purchase and is available at any vet clinic.  
 
http://www.feliway.com/us/  
 
Good luck with the little one. I'd certainly try other options before the declaw surgery.  
 
 
 
 
 

My question was not "should I get a pet". I made a lady happy to take a kitten off her hands that she was trying to take care because the barn mother cat abandoned her babies in the cold. My kitten is always around me, happy and purrs every second with me.  
A whole bunch of cats at the building humane society on 17th street east that have no homes and also on ebrandon people getting rid of their cats.  
The lady was nice to care and nurse for 7 kittens, I think was nice I gave shelter to a kitten, also less one cat to end up in a shelter place/or cage. My cats are indoors and on a leash for going outside because I give respect to neigbours that do no wish having pets in their backyard. Why not see something good in it.  
A cat isn't a dog. I live alone and I do not see many people clipping cat nails for 20 years of the cat life.  
My house, my furnitures, my time, my money.

Your question was whether to declaw or not, and you asked for alternatives - seeking opinions. Many people have given their opinions that a cat should not be decalwed. I (as well as others) have posted links to alternatives, and to informative websites. I (as well as others) have explained the difference between incision surgery and amputations. I (as well as others) have explained pain responses (ie- behavior changes/ issues) in pets. Yes, cats can be trained at any age. Yes, people (including myself) cut their cats nails for 20+ years.  
Yet you have then yelled at people (including telling someone to SHUT UP), have used saracasm (Mr Judgemental), and have basically told us that you don't want to hear any criticisms. This is what has led me (as well as others) to the conclusion that your mind was already made up before starting this thread.

I asked and read alternatives. Thank you.

1 chance said "My question was not "should I get a pet". I made a lady happy to take a kitten off her hands that she was trying to take care because the barn mother cat abandoned her babies in the cold. My kitten is always around me, happy and purrs every second with me.   A whole bunch of cats at the building humane society on 17th street east that have no homes and also on ebrandon people getting rid of their cats.   The lady was nice to care and nurse for 7 kittens, I think was nice I gave shelter to a kitten, also less one cat to end up in a shelter place/or cage. My cats are indoors and on a leash for going outside because I give respect to neigbours that do no wish having pets in their backyard. Why not see something good in it.   A cat isn't a dog. I live alone and I do not see many people clipping cat nails for 20 years of the cat life.   My house, my furnitures, my time, my money. "

We have cut and continue to cut our cats nail every couple of weeks. A big difference after they are cut....although they never scratch our furniture as it is leather and they don't like it.  
 
We started clipping nails as soon as we got them as kittens and now they don't even fight when we do it.