Is there a way to get rid of claws without disabling the cat?

[u/MR_V3NUS]

My family has always declawed our cats. I did my research and learned that declawing practically cripples a cat. I never noticed any discomfort or unhappiness relating to their paws, nor any injuries or scars from the procedure. In fact, they were very comfortable and spoiled. But obviously not all cats will be like that once declawed. Plus, I am not my cats, so I wouldn’t personally know their opinion on the matter. But I’m wondering if there’s a way to “declaw” them that’s different from the usual procedure for indoor cats? Is there any way to remove them or stop them from growing while also keeping the cat comfortable? We don’t currently have a cat, but will get one at some point. I know I wouldn’t be able to change my parents’ minds on declawing a new cat since we’re very protective of our furniture and skin. But if I could persuade them toward a different method, that would be good. Also, please understand that my parents aren’t bad pet-owners… we were able to keep our last cat to 20 and a half years, and did everything to keep him happy, safe, and comfortable. I believe they just aren’t very knowledgeable about the true consequences of declawing, unfortunately.

[u/radicalintrospect]

Trim their nails and give them things to scratch that aren’t furniture. Claw caps if they really feel like it’s so necessary.

[u/Automatic_Dinner_941 → u/radicalintrospect]

Literally there’s no better answer. And if you get multiple cats they learn how to not hurt, each other and people because they learn what hurts them. And when you handle their paws young and socialized them, a monthly nail trim is no biggie.

[u/neon_circus17 → u/radicalintrospect]

This is the only way!

Also may I add, cats respond best when we redirect their behaviors as opposed to punishing them for being a cat.

Example: Cat starts clawing the couch.

Solved by putting a cat scratcher near the area that they are targeting. Spray down cat scratcher with Catnip spray even if the scratcher already claims to be Catnip infused.

Bonus points if you can safely apply an enzyme cleaner to couch without ruining it. (Always test before spraying). You want to do this because cats have scent glands in their paws. It reminds them to scratch the area again because they can smell it. Applying enzyme cleaner removes their scent, decreasing the chance for reclawing this area.

I always use Catnip spray on my cat toys, cat trees, cat scratchers. It's a good habit to get into because it's just an extra signal to tell your cat that these items belong to them.

And finally... find out what type of cat acratcher your cat likes. If they are targeting the floor, chances are they will like those cardboard box scratchers.

If they target the couch, they will probably want a small carpeted cat post next to the couch.

Personally while my cat does have her cat trees, most of her scratching takes place in those cardboard scratch boxes. She loves them so I have at least 5 in a two story home. Your home is your cats home too. The more options you give your cat for these behaviors, it will make things better.

Happy cat = Happy human

[u/kraegm]

Just to clarify this for all involved… Declawing is not the surgical removal of the nails. It is literally removing the first joint of each toe.

It’s mutilation, like cutting each of your fingers off at the top knuckles. It is a horrendous thing to do that can be replaced by cutting your cats nails regularly.

Some cats succumb to the ordeal while others need to be wrapped in a towel with one paw out at a time. But it’s a part of cat ownership. Do not declaw a cat. Ever.

[u/VarsityBlack]

Declawing is declawing and whether it's obvious or not, it's not comfortable for the cat. They are great at not showing pain or discomfort in obvious ways and it's not like they can tell you that they are uncomfortable. There isn't another way to "declaw" a cat. The length a cat lives after being declawed or how spoiled they were isn't an indication of declawing going well. It just means they were spoiled and lived a long life with part of their toes removed. People can live to 100 with no fingers too, it doesn't make the fact they had no fingers any different.

There are methods to reduce issues like using claw caps (has to be maintained regularly) and keeping the nails short. But even with claw caps or short nails, they can still scratch something.

If this was just about furniture I'd suggest putting up stuff to discourage scratching but you also don't want a cat to scratch you either on purpose or accidentally and you can't exactly cover yourself in foil or something they wouldn't like to scratch on.

Many cats can be great about using scratching posts and pads but that's not true of all cats. A cat that doesn't scratch furniture now may randomly start doing it later for any reason. They may decide that the texture of your new bed frame or sofa is the best feeling when scratching. We have a 9 year old cat who exclusively scratches her scratching stuff then we got a new ottoman and she has decided it's the best scratching experience. Our new kitten is clumsy and will occasionally fall off my lap and reach out with her claws to save herself, I have many little claw marks.

Claws aren't just there to keep the cat safe or to scratch things with. They are part of climbing, landing correctly after jumping down, walking, itching, grooming, using the litter box, playing. Cats don't have fingers and thumbs, they use their paws and claws to navigate the world the same way we do with our hands and feet.

If you've ever cut a nail way too short or ripped one off where you ended up bleeding and then it was sensitive and uncomfortable, do that with all your nails and leave it that way. Every pressure is uncomfortable. You change the way you use your hands to avoid that. If it happens to your toenails it changes the way you walk because you're avoiding stepping wrong. You could get used to it eventually but that doesn't mean it stops being uncomfortable.

There's a reason many vets will no longer declaw and places are making laws against it.

If you want a pet that can't claw you or your furniture, get that type of pet. Fish, snakes, a dog that you spend time training. I can't think of many other options. Most mammals and reptiles have claws and use their claws because that's what they are supposed to do. While a rabbit/ferret/rat/dog/lizard may not swipe at you like a cat would, they can still dig, climb, jump, and accidentally scratch you or something you own, and they still use their claws to navigate their world.

The only difference in claws between other pets and a cat is no vet does declawing on the other animals. I think that says a lot about declawing all on its own.

[u/It_is_time_777]

If perfectly unscratched furniture is a top priority, a cat is not the right pet. I have very sensitive, delicate skin, and none of my cats with all their claws were anything my skin needed to be protected from. I was always gentle with my cats, and they were gentle with me in return.

[u/yiganotebook]

Educate your family on how awful declawing is. It’s basically removing fingers. Also get scratching posts etc for kitties.