Declawing vs. SoftClaws

pixel218 · 06-22-2005, 23:23

Since my new kitten will be strictly indoor, and I am somewhat attached to my clothes, furniture, and skin, I was considering having him declawed eventually. However, after reading more about the procedure on the internet, I'm wondering if the SoftClaws humane product wouldn't be better. When I first saw them, they looked horrible, but I can't see them being worse than declawing. Has anyone used them or heard anything about them? Any feedback would be great. Thanks.

Str8shootr · 06-23-2005, 06:18

I had my cat's front claws removed. I discussed with the vet, and he had 4 cats at home, and said I love cats, but I love my furnishings too.....so.

My cat (20 lbs) hates me to touch his rear paws, so I have to fight him to clip his rear claws. I have used soft claws and they so work well, but it is such a fight with him, I need two more hands.

tony4311 · 06-23-2005, 17:52

My cat was never bothered by the soft paws. She'd just watch me while I put them on then she'd act like they weren't there. She doesn't claw anything in my house except her scratching post.

funbob · 06-23-2005, 18:11

I have 3 full grown cats and 1 kitten. The 3 cats have all had their fronts declawed and the kitten will be soon. I do it at the same time get them spayed/neutered. For strictly indoor cats, I have no problem with it and my cats have suffered no ill effects from it.

tony4311 · 06-23-2005, 21:50

Have you ever watched a cat with it's front claws play with toys compared to declawed? It's a huge difference in how much more control and grip they have. Remember declawing it's just removing the claws its taking of the end of the digit. From your last knuckle up if it was your hand. Then when the wounds are still raw and open they have to dig in the cat litter with uncovered stitches.

I did some reading about it and decided against it for my cat and have had no problems from it.

pixel218 · 06-24-2005, 00:13

I really don't want to subject my sweet little baby to that, but I didn't know how effective the SoftClaws would be. Thanks for all the help.

Ender · 06-27-2005, 00:03

i wouldn't worry about either...if the cat has a tendency to try and rip things up i might go with softclaws...

i'd NEVER get a cat declawed though....very inhumane. most cats i've seen easily distinguish between what they can rip up (scratching post), and what they CAN'T rip up pretty quickly...

MrsKitty · 06-27-2005, 08:16

Quote:

Originally posted by tony4311
Have you ever watched a cat with it's front claws play with toys compared to declawed? It's a huge difference in how much more control and grip they have. Remember declawing it's just removing the claws its taking of the end of the digit. From your last knuckle up if it was your hand. Then when the wounds are still raw and open they have to dig in the cat litter with uncovered stitches.

I did some reading about it and decided against it for my cat and have had no problems from it.

There are two methods for declawing. The one you described, and the one that was done to my cats. They had the nail bed removed, not the end of the toe. Most vets prefer to remove the toe as it is faster and easier on them instead of doing which is less traumatic for the cat :(

Digging in the cat litter is NOT an issue as you take the litter away for a few days and use shredded newspaper.

I recently had my last cat done as she could go thru a set of Soft Paws in a few days. I assume she ate them as I never found them anywhere....

She had no problems adjusting to life without her claws. She was about 9 months old when she was declawed. She hasn't appeared to miss her claws once.

SouthernGal · 06-27-2005, 14:42

Quote:

Originally posted by misskitty5077
There are two methods for declawing. The one you described, and the one that was done to my cats. They had the nail bed removed, not the end of the toe. Most vets prefer to remove the toe as it is faster and easier on them instead of doing which is less traumatic for the cat :(

Digging in the cat litter is NOT an issue as you take the litter away for a few days and use shredded newspaper.

I recently had my last cat done as she could go thru a set of Soft Paws in a few days. I assume she ate them as I never found them anywhere....

She had no problems adjusting to life without her claws. She was about 9 months old when she was declawed. She hasn't appeared to miss her claws once.

Okay, forgive my ignorance here but I'm not a cat owner.

My best friend got a kitten last week. The cat will HAVE to be fixed regardless of sex (we think it is a female). The kitten is very sweet so far and hasn't done a whole lot of anything other than sleeping.

She'd mentioned declawing the cat as well as it will never be allowed outside. Can you tell me what the price difference is in the manner in which you had your cat declawed and the usual one and if there is a "name difference" in the two procedures so we could ask for it by name if necessary?

tony4311 · 06-27-2005, 14:55

Quote:

Originally posted by misskitty5077
There are two methods for declawing. The one you described, and the one that was done to my cats. They had the nail bed removed, not the end of the toe.

Cool, didn't know you could use paper but that's because I didn't cut them.;c

Anyone try laser? Found a decent link while looking for a laser link.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...ernatives.html

MrsKitty · 06-28-2005, 07:51

Quote:

Originally posted by SouthernGal
Okay, forgive my ignorance here but I'm not a cat owner.

My best friend got a kitten last week. The cat will HAVE to be fixed regardless of sex (we think it is a female). The kitten is very sweet so far and hasn't done a whole lot of anything other than sleeping.

She'd mentioned declawing the cat as well as it will never be allowed outside. Can you tell me what the price difference is in the manner in which you had your cat declawed and the usual one and if there is a "name difference" in the two procedures so we could ask for it by name if necessary?

Not sure what the difference is, but it is about $75 for two feet with the method I use. I don't know what the name of the procedure is--just ask how they do it when you book the appointment.

If a new kitten is doing nothing much other than sleeping, kitty needs to be checked out! Kitties are nortorious for playing and exploring. Be sure to worm kitty too

tony4311 · 06-28-2005, 22:52

Quote:

Originally posted by misskitty5077
and exploring.

The first day I got home after ours had been home alone I couldn't find her. Checked the whole apt which is only 600 sq ft. Found her laying next to the mouse on our keyboard drawer. ;f

Ender · 06-28-2005, 23:07

Quote:

Originally posted by tony4311
The first day I got home after ours had been home alone I couldn't find her. Checked the whole apt which is only 600 sq ft. Found her laying next to the mouse on our keyboard drawer. ;f

;z ;z ;z ;z ;z

cats can be pretty cool considering that they own you...

gwalchmai · 06-29-2005, 16:45

I've lived with, let's see, I guess eight cats over the years, and one is still with us (that would be Lightnin' the Hutt). Maybe another in a week or so. I've never had one declawed (I'm horrified by the idea). And I've never had any problems with scratching. We just give them a little pop with a newspaper when they're little, or a sharp word, or sometimes a cuddle bomb

, and it's just not a problem.

I tell anyone considering it (my sister does it to her cats, btw) that it's really either an amputation or a disfigurement, and it's taking away an essential part of the cat's being. I compare it to cutting off a kid's fingers for picking his nose.

And no, I don't think y'all are bad people for doing it. I just think you're wrong.

ATL Peach Girl · 06-30-2005, 00:44

Well you know, I am the biggest user of Softclaws here........

BOTH my boys are in them, and Max, the older adoptee of mine chewed his off for the first 6 months of wearing them. I got discouraged MANY times with Max. I have remained steadfast and he no longer tries to chew them off. My departed dear boy Joshua was in SoftClaws and was started as a young kitten too. He had no probs.

Milo the 10 month old kitten has always been in them since he was about 3 months old and so he has never tried to chew his. I can always tell when one falls off on the boys because they start scratching things......ugh!!

I now know Softclaws will work with any cat, you just have to be patient.....they will eventually get over the urge of trying to chew them off.

I have found them on E-Bay brand new and cheaper.........just do a search for SoftClaws........

Medium fits most cats, but both my boys are in LARGE........

Here is the website: www.SoftClaws.com

pixel218 · 06-30-2005, 01:25

Thanks for all the responses! So far Aragorn is doing ok with his scratching post, so I'm not going to worry about the SoftClaws yet. But if he starts destroying furniture, I think he's getting some.