help trying to get info on declawing ????

[Des]

Question for declawing my GRACIE in the front I already have a cat who is done In the front . I have a sister with special needs and I find our cats crawl up her legs so I need to declaw her in the front has anyone did this to their sphynxs cats yet she's almost 5 months ..

 

[BluesMummy]

I understand why you are thinking of declawing but is it really necessary ?? We live in the UK where it is illegal & we also have family & friends with special needs, in fact my best friend has a 7yr old son born with severe brain damage, cerable palsy, ADHD, Autism & other problems, he can't speak & can only bum shuffle & he loves our babies & he has never been scratched, if you teach Gracie from young not to climb on your sister she should be fine, clip her nails short every 10 days or so & teach her to scratch on the cat tree Please read what your cat will go through before you go through with this surgery & decide if its in Gracie's best interest Please don't take this as me lecturing you as you are entitled to your own opinion I'm not disputing that, just saying that in England we have the same situations & no baby is declawed

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Declawing can be a pretty hot button here in The Lair. Many breeders even have a clause in their contracts forbidding it. Many feel it is inhumane and can cause litter box issues and behavioral issues. I am sure many members will make comments...I hope everyone does so in a respectful manner.

Patti

 

[BluesMummy]

Declawing can be a pretty hot button here in The Lair. Many breeders even have a clause in their contracts forbidding it. Many feel it is inhumane and can cause litter box issues and behavioral issues. I am sure many members will make comments...I hope everyone does so in a respectful manner.

Patti

Well said patti xxx

 

[Des]

Thanks yall I don't mind the comments rude or not I'm a big girl and I can handle it lol that's why I'm asking cause we had my older cat done 8 years ago and now that we have GRACIE we are second guessing it lol even if her but messes up my stuff . GRACIE climbs up from the bottom of my pants leg all the way up to my shoulder is this normal lol I love it.... Re: contract I never has to sign one ..... My sister has Rett syndrome which is non verbal she can't talk or feed her self she is a wheel chair. Sense GRACIE has been her her little legs are getting messed up but GRACIE just wants to snuggle with her & that's her way of getting up their I guess . Well thanks for you opinion I just wanted to see if anyone had their sphynxs done that's all

 

[GizmosMommy]

I personaly think its cruel...and would never do it to my pet. I have a dsh who came to me already declawed as a rescue. She is 14 now and for the past 4 years has joint pain in her front paws as a result and will often poop on the floor by her litter box instead of going in it. I'm sure that's because it hurts her to dig and bury. Please do a lot of research before you declaw Gracie.

 

[Des]

I understand why you are thinking of declawing but is it really necessary ?? We live in the UK where it is illegal & we also have family & friends with special needs, in fact my best friend has a 7yr old son born with severe brain damage, cerable palsy, ADHD, Autism & other problems, he can't speak & can only bum shuffle & he loves our babies & he has never been scratched, if you teach Gracie from young not to climb on your sister she should be fine, clip her nails short every 10 days or so & teach her to scratch on the cat tree Please read what your cat will go through before you go through with this surgery & decide if its in Gracie's best interest Please don't take this as me lecturing you as you are entitled to your own opinion I'm not disputing that, just saying that in England we have the same situations & no baby is declawed

I worked for a vet so yes I did see the pain they go through . And it sucks . But here in Louisiana it's not illegal . But thanks for your help I know that our final decision will not have her getting it done I just wanted to see if anyone did before ....

 

[BluesMummy]

Thanks yall I don't mind the comments rude or not I'm a big girl and I can handle it lol that's why I'm asking cause we had my older cat done 8 years ago and now that we have GRACIE we are second guessing it lol even if her but messes up my stuff . GRACIE climbs up from the bottom of my pants leg all the way up to my shoulder is this normal lol I love it.... Re: contract I never has to sign one ..... My sister has Rett syndrome which is non verbal she can't talk or feed her self she is a wheel chair. Sense GRACIE has been her her little legs are getting messed up but GRACIE just wants to snuggle with her & that's her way of getting up their I guess . Well thanks for you opinion I just wanted to see if anyone had their sphynxs done that's all

I'm sorry if you took my comment as rude I didn't intend it to be read that way, my friends son is unable to speak or feed himself & Blue is great with him Please don't put Gracie through this, she may start to bite your sister & it could totally ruin her little personality, she will have no defense if she ever gets out & that would only be the start of her problems , I really don't like to hear of babies being declawed it's so sad, Gracie sounds like a typical little sphynx is climbing your legs, Blue used to do that a lot but these days he'd much rather ride on our shoulders, they have such amazing personalities, they are so loving you will just have to teach her if she wants to cuddle not to climb on your sister, your baby is very beautiful btw

 

[Des]

I personaly think its cruel...and would never do it to my pet. I have a dsh who came to me already declawed as a rescue. She is 14 now and for the past 4 years has joint pain in her front paws as a result and will often poop on the floor by her litter box instead of going in it. I'm sure that's because it hurts her to dig and bury. Please do a lot of research before you declaw Gracie.

see I don't have any problems with my other cat at all . Thank god . Thanks for your help and info

 

[GizmosMommy]

Giz used to do all that stuff too..typical crazy kitten behavior. I found that canned air worked really well. I would give it a spray when he was acting up and he would stop right away. Now alls I have to do it grab it and he stops.

 

[Des]

No that comment was for what patty said ppl may come off as rude & she hopes they don't lol that's why I wanted to ask other ppl with these cats because if u ask a person with a regular cat 75o/o say go ahead declaw them & your right I don't want her to bite or change her beautiful personality at all lol .. Thanks for helping

 

[Des]

Giz used to do all that stuff too..typical crazy kitten behavior. I found that canned air worked really well. I would give it a spray when he was acting up and he would stop right away. Now alls I have to do it grab it and he stops.

Lol ok I will try that for sure

 

[Des]

Declawing can be a pretty hot button here in The Lair. Many breeders even have a clause in their contracts forbidding it. Many feel it is inhumane and can cause litter box issues and behavioral issues. I am sure many members will make comments...I hope everyone does so in a respectful manner.

Patti

Thanks patty

 

[Lickleone]

Why don't you put those cap thingies on soft paws that way she can't scratch and you don't have to declaw?

 

[Des]

Why don't you put those cap thingies on soft paws that way she can't scratch and you don't have to declaw?

I seen those I will get those for when she comes over thanks

 

[Lickleone]

Worth a try before making an irreversible decision

 

[Des]

True
:happy:

 

[Yoda mom]

@Des , she is adorable! And full of kitten young energy!
I give you credit for asking a hot button topic because you really want to learn ...
And have gotten great alternative suggestions to try-

Train her like a dog! Be consistent and firm- Redirect with a pole toy, treats, claw caps, canned air, time outs if too rambunctious-

Be sure your sister has something covering her legs- a nice warm blanket from the dryer to encourage Gracie to cuddle calm with your sister.

I grew up with rehomed adopted declawed Siamese cats that had various issues - biting , attacking, and some no issues to be honest-

Then, my mom got a Siamese kitten years later and automatically declawed her fronts
The poor cat was never the same- Sandy cat walked with a gimp for life. for 14 years still licked at the paw because it hurt and lay on top of it coddling it...so sad

Like people surgery- you never know the end result-

**I am glad you reached out for advice- we should never feel apprehensive about asking anything about Sphynx on the lair. We learn and grow together

IMHO, I would invest the time to train Gracie with lots of positive reinforcement- I would stop allowing her to climb up you or anyone else- you want good consistent training and you will see results! You can't allow sometimes and not other times- kinda like training a dog not to go lay the couch or eat / beg for, the table-

Give a Sphynx am inch and they will take a few miles!

Because of your sisters needs, I would seriously be firm on the training- light and fun redirecting and only reward the behavior you want- teach her commands "off" " "come" "place" like a warm cuddly blanket on your sisters lap etc
I do this with my fresh young Toby

You see cats learn in cat agility this is how I train, redirect young Toby-
Yu can teach tricks too , tunnel, sit, fetch, etc that I am sure your sister would love to see!

** Gracie will mature and do what she was taught or allowed to get away with

Hope to hear good news updates on the things you're willing to trying before the guillotine surgery that can never be undone and don't know how it may change her.

Give Gracie lovin from me!

ps: really encourage and give verbal praise and treats when she uses a scratching post!
I have various types, turbo cat scratcher toy they like! , ultimate cat scratches with perch Macie loves, a regular sisal scratcher turned omits side like a tree limb

I have a party! Scratch on it my self calling kitties over and giving a treat if they even touch it! A big party with praise talk and treats if they scratch it!

I sound like am idiot talking like a baby saying" get it Macie" amd she runs to the scratcher like a nut ! We don't have to use treats now just lots of praise and surprise treats!
I always give verbal praise when I see them use scratchers

A big plus is having a tall cat tree that they can race up the sides to the top like a jungle tree and scratch and bite the cat tree on the way up I tell them "get it " and they run to it!

I needed a tall, small foot print cat tree with scratching sisal post sides and got a
Kitty mansions redwood cat tree that is a huge hit-any will do to encourage scratching and kitty zoomies elsewhere- they can climb and kick the snot out of it!

I use it to train like its a kitty agility platform

 

[MollysMom]

@Des - my nephew got tested for Rett Syndrome.

Does your sister live with you, or just visit sometimes?

If she is only visiting sometimes, it would be easier to supervise Gracie around her then.

I would try as hard as you can to train Gracie not to climb. Keeping nails trimmed or using claw caps are great ideas as well.

As Gracie gets bigger she will get better at jumping, and may not be trying to climb up legs at all. Leg climbing is a bit of a kitten behaviour, I think.

Good luck, I hope that you can find a solution!

 

[lolvo]

Thanks yall I don't mind the comments rude or not I'm a big girl and I can handle it lol that's why I'm asking cause we had my older cat done 8 years ago and now that we have GRACIE we are second guessing it lol even if her but messes up my stuff . GRACIE climbs up from the bottom of my pants leg all the way up to my shoulder is this normal lol I love it.... Re: contract I never has to sign one ..... My sister has Rett syndrome which is non verbal she can't talk or feed her self she is a wheel chair. Sense GRACIE has been her her little legs are getting messed up but GRACIE just wants to snuggle with her & that's her way of getting up their I guess . Well thanks for you opinion I just wanted to see if anyone had their sphynxs done that's all

First of all, like pretty much everyone in this thread, I would say that you should definitely try every alternative to both protect your sister and little Gracie. An immediate solution would be to provide something protective that Gracie could use to climb up onto the chair instead of your sister's legs until she gets old enough to make it up there in one hop. This, combined with regular claw-trimming and positive training is the best way to get a cat to be aware and considerate of the damage they are capable of doing to the human body if they don't use their claws wisely. Nail caps are a good tool to use while Gracie is learning; they're inexpensive, easy to apply once you get the hang of it, and they can be pretty too! As you said, all little Gracie wants to do is get up there and snuggle with your sister... and she will want to do that for the rest of her life. I think both your sister and Gracie would enjoy her being able to do that just as well years down the road when she's an old kitty too, without the paw pain or arthritis that tends to disproportionately affect older declawed cats. Some of them hide it better than others, but the vast majority of declawed cats experience pain for the rest of their lives. If you want to learn more, you can look up Jackson Galaxy's video regarding declawing. He comes from a bit of an extreme rejection viewpoint, but all his reasons are very real and valid.

Thank you for coming to the Lair to ask this question in good faith, instead of just doing the procedure without considering all the repercussions and options available to you. I do hope that you make choices which benefit both your sister and Gracie in the long run, even if they involve some trial-and-error in the short run.

 

[Trisha]

I think everyone has given you some really good advice.

Years and years ago my parents declawed one of our cats (front and back) and she was never the same. More recently (well, like 10 years ago) they had their cat Jack declawed (just the front) and there are still times when he shakes his paws or jerks them around funny and I thinks it's from being declawed - didn't heal right or something.
As for my cats, I'd never ever have them declawed. I make sure their nails are always cut short and they have plenty of scratching posts. I actually wrapped a pole in my basement with sisal rope and they love clawing it and climbing up the pole.

 

[BrianT]

In my opinion, declawing a cat is like cutting the thumbs off of a person. They need their claws for so many reasons! May I suggest a great alternative called softpaws. They are soft vinyl covers that are glued to your cats claws, and will save your furniture. You can visit their website at softpaws.com for more info.

 

[Crinkuls]

I'm glad it's illegal in UK too!., I always visualise having my fingers and toes chopped off to the first joint and then being told " off you go!! " go dig in that tray of sharp cat litter!! We would be laid up in bed converlessing ( ?)

 

[NinaGato]

I understand why you would consider getting her done. My vet only does laser declaws now and also cuts the ligament that tightens up and creates shoulder pain and arthritis in declawed cats. She hates to do it but says if she has to she tries to think about the cats needs down the road also.
My 14 year old cat that just passed came to me as a four foot declaw. I watched her suffer in her later years from arthritis from the declaw. And we always had to make allowances to help make sure she had access to the cat trees and ways for her to get to high things. I vowed to never do this to a cat after watching her be disabled by her declaw.
I just want you to have a perspective from someone who has lived with an older declawed cat.

 

[Yoda mom]

@Des, checking in on you and Gracie
@NinaGato , gave a very honest perspective
How are the visits going? Did you try the alternatives?

Hope all well!