I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw..

On Fri, 28 Sep 2007 00:10:37 -0500, "-Lost"
<maventheextrawords RemoveThis @techie.com> wrote:

>After talking with my friend at the animal hospital for the
>thousandth time today, they started mentioning some other things that
>I should have done before officially calling Gabby "good to go."
>
>1. Get her spayed - of course, this is already planned.
>2. "ridder of critters" they said. Done.
>3. Tons more general how to take care of a cat tips. Done.
>..
>19. Maybe not 19th, but the last thing they said was, "And make sure
>to get her declawed." Not so sure about...
>
>Forgive my ignorance on this one, and cat lovers please don't bounce
>something off of my head, but I thought as long as you were...
>
>1. Not in fear of your life.
>2. Your other animals got along fine with kitty.
>3. Kitty uses her abundance of play things and scratching posts,
>walls, climbs, and other assorted cat approved claw-holders.
>4. Kitty eventually stops chasing you down and attacking you from
>behind.
>
>...that you did not have to get a cat declawed. My friend made it
>out like it is a must along with spaying an animal.
>
>What's the word cat people?


Your friend is an idiot. Declawing actually takes off the last section
of the toe, is painful, and also removes their ability to do
instinctual behaviors. All you need is a godo cat tree, some patience,
and some clippers.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Response from "cybercat" <cyberpurrs.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>:

> "-Lost" <maventheextrawords.DeleteThis@techie.com> wrote in message
> news:Xns99B9C084B4E1lostthreads@216.196.97.136...
>> After talking with my friend at the animal hospital for the
>> thousandth time today, they started mentioning some other things
>> that I should have done before officially calling Gabby "good to
>> go."
>>
>
> Your friend is no friend. Do not mutilate your cat.

I figured that would be the general response. I wonder why it is
recommended at all?

The only animal refuge center we have recommended it as well, but I
would imagine it was to minimize the damage they might do to each
other at the center.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Response from Meghan Noecker <friesian.RemoveThis@zoocrewphoto.com>:

> Your friend is an idiot. Declawing actually takes off the last
> section of the toe, is painful, and also removes their ability to
> do instinctual behaviors. All you need is a godo cat tree, some
> patience, and some clippers.

Well, in their defense, I doubt they would recommend something that
the doctor themselves did not recommend.

I could be wrong though. And I am actually going to ask them today
to be sure. If they are giving me misinformation or suggestions the
doctor would not recommend then I will seriously reevaluate my
sources.

Now, for the rest of your response... um... you have to clip kitty
claws? Where in the world am I getting MY information?

I was told by many not to worry about cutting their nails. That in
fact a good scratching area (which I have provided three of) was
sufficient enough to help them shed their claws.

Assuming this is incorrect, I will explain "shed their claws" to
avoid further confusion. I was told that cats claws were similar to
dogs in that they eventually flake or grow like exoskeletons, whereby
the newer nail underneath pushes the older one off. Or in the case
of a scratching post, helps remove it.

Is that correct?

Thanks for the feedback, Meghan.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

On 28 Sep, 06:10, "-Lost" <maventheextrawo... RemoveThis @techie.com> wrote:
> After talking with my friend at the animal hospital for the
> thousandth time today, they started mentioning some other things that
> I should have done before officially calling Gabby "good to go."
>
> 1. Get her spayed - of course, this is already planned.
> 2. "ridder of critters" they said. Done.
> 3. Tons more general how to take care of a cat tips. Done.
> ..
> 19. Maybe not 19th, but the last thing they said was, "And make sure
> to get her declawed." Not so sure about...
>
> Forgive my ignorance on this one, and cat lovers please don't bounce
> something off of my head, but I thought as long as you were...
>
> 1. Not in fear of your life.
> 2. Your other animals got along fine with kitty.
> 3. Kitty uses her abundance of play things and scratching posts,
> walls, climbs, and other assorted cat approved claw-holders.
> 4. Kitty eventually stops chasing you down and attacking you from
> behind.
>
> ...that you did not have to get a cat declawed. My friend made it
> out like it is a must along with spaying an animal.
>
> What's the word cat people?
>
> --
> -Lost
> Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
> kidding. No I am not.

De-clawing a cat is like chopping each digit off @ the first knuckle.
Whoever told you it is a must, is either ignorant, or cruel, yet
handing out advice on something they are not fully informed about. We
have endless questions about declawing, & it is always a passionate
subject!

It also causes behavioural problems, & it is very painful for the cat.
Can you possibly imagine what it must be like to have the ends of your
fingers chopped off? It is almost unheard of in the UK, & rightly so
too.

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet, but if you are worride
about clawing, there are two products that will help your cat.
1: Lots of scratching posts to stretch out their full body length,
2: & also there is a new product on the market, that evades me right
now ( It will come to me @ 4 am no doubt!!), but it is like a rubber
substance that you can paint on all claws, that will stop the effect
of side swiped by your cat who might be waiting to play pounce with
you. You just paint it on like nail polish. I hear it is very
effective. Perhaps someone else could provide a link to the product I
am referring to if they can remember the name of it?
I hope this helps,
Sheelagh >"o"<
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

"-Lost" <maventheextrawords RemoveThis @techie.com> wrote
>>
>> Your friend is no friend. Do not mutilate your cat.
>
> I figured that would be the general response. I wonder why it is
> recommended at all?

It is recommended for human convenience because many people
cannot be bothered to provide things cats like to scratch better
than furniture and rugs, and so that vets can make money. Ignorance
or pure cruelty can be the only reasons anyone would recommend it.

I was a kid (maybe 23) when I took my first cat in to be
spayed, and they said, "Do you want her declawed too?"
She was a hellion, and I was thinking, just the claws themselves
taken out--I never thought surgical hacking off of the bones in
her toes. I said yes. They ruined her beautiful little feet, she
became anxious, stopped covering her poo, and became a
biter as well. It is horrible, one of the worst things I have been
responsible for in my life. I have two cats now, and provide
scratchers and trim claws--just the tips--monthly. That is all
you need to do.

Did you understand the procedure when you asked this
question?

And will you voice your opinion about it to the shelters?
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

"-Lost" <maventheextrawords.TakeThisOut@techie.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99B9529CDA631lostthreads@216.196.97.136...
> Response from Meghan Noecker <friesian.TakeThisOut@zoocrewphoto.com>:
>
>> Your friend is an idiot. Declawing actually takes off the last
>> section of the toe, is painful, and also removes their ability to
>> do instinctual behaviors. All you need is a godo cat tree, some
>> patience, and some clippers.
>
> Well, in their defense, I doubt they would recommend something that
> the doctor themselves did not recommend.

Then the doctor is cruel and disgusting.
>
> I could be wrong though. And I am actually going to ask them today
> to be sure. If they are giving me misinformation or suggestions the
> doctor would not recommend then I will seriously reevaluate my
> sources.
>
> Now, for the rest of your response... um... you have to clip kitty
> claws? Where in the world am I getting MY information?
>
> I was told by many not to worry about cutting their nails. That in
> fact a good scratching area (which I have provided three of) was
> sufficient enough to help them shed their claws.

No. They actually sharpen them on scratchers, which is fine, because
they are also working their muscles and stretching.
>
> Assuming this is incorrect, I will explain "shed their claws" to
> avoid further confusion. I was told that cats claws were similar to
> dogs in that they eventually flake or grow like exoskeletons, whereby
> the newer nail underneath pushes the older one off. Or in the case
> of a scratching post, helps remove it.
>
> Is that correct?
>

Just the sheath comes off. You want to get clippers and clip just the sharp
tip so that when you play with your cat, or he/she walks on carpet etc. the
claws don't catch you or it. It is easy and simple--if your cat does not
like
it, get a friend to help you. We used to roll Boo up in a beach towel, I
would hold her with just one foot at a time sticking out, and soothe her
while my husband clipped. Now she just lets us do it--because she gets
a treat afterward.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

"-Lost" <maventheextrawords.TakeThisOut@techie.com> wrote in
news:Xns99B9529CDA631lostthreads@216.196.97.136:

>
> Well, in their defense, I doubt they would recommend something that
> the doctor themselves did not recommend.
>

Not all vets are in it solely for the health of the animal. Some are in
it mainly for the money.


> I could be wrong though. And I am actually going to ask them today
> to be sure. If they are giving me misinformation or suggestions the
> doctor would not recommend then I will seriously reevaluate my
> sources.
>
> Now, for the rest of your response... um... you have to clip kitty
> claws? Where in the world am I getting MY information?

With a claw trimmer, just clip the tip of each claw, before the pink
part. Get kitty used to it asap my touching her paws gently every day
so she gets used to her paws being handled. Praise and talk sweetly the
whole time so it becomes a nice experience. If you don't clip the
claws, they can become very long and very sharp and will hook into
everything as they walk and play. Even our outdoor cat needs to be
clipped because walking on grass doesn't stop them from growing too
long.

>
> I was told by many not to worry about cutting their nails. That in
> fact a good scratching area (which I have provided three of) was
> sufficient enough to help them shed their claws.

They shed the outer layer, but the claws still grow and grow.
>
> Assuming this is incorrect, I will explain "shed their claws" to
> avoid further confusion. I was told that cats claws were similar to
> dogs in that they eventually flake or grow like exoskeletons, whereby
> the newer nail underneath pushes the older one off. Or in the case
> of a scratching post, helps remove it.
>
> Is that correct?
>
> Thanks for the feedback, Meghan.

PLEASE DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT. They suffer horribly, even with pain
medication.

Bobble
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Response from "cybercat" <cyberpurrs.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>:

> "-Lost" <maventheextrawords.DeleteThis@techie.com> wrote
>>>
>>> Your friend is no friend. Do not mutilate your cat.
>>
>> I figured that would be the general response. I wonder why it is
>> recommended at all?
>
> It is recommended for human convenience because many people
> cannot be bothered to provide things cats like to scratch better
> than furniture and rugs, and so that vets can make money. Ignorance
> or pure cruelty can be the only reasons anyone would recommend it.

Pfft. I have learned there is no such thing when you CARE for
animals. Either you love 'em or you do not.

I always try to make sure I pay attention to the ones who are in it
for the loot as well. That is partly why I ask so many questions. I
KNOW I need help! Hahaha!

> I was a kid (maybe 23) when I took my first cat in to be
> spayed, and they said, "Do you want her declawed too?"
> She was a hellion, and I was thinking, just the claws themselves
> taken out--I never thought surgical hacking off of the bones in
> her toes. I said yes. They ruined her beautiful little feet, she
> became anxious, stopped covering her poo, and became a
> biter as well. It is horrible, one of the worst things I have been
> responsible for in my life. I have two cats now, and provide
> scratchers and trim claws--just the tips--monthly. That is all
> you need to do.

Ugh, I am sorry you AND your kitty had to go through that.

> Did you understand the procedure when you asked this
> question?

Nope. And after reading everyone's post it almost made me cry. I
have known a few declawed kitties in my time and never knew it was
like that.

> And will you voice your opinion about it to the shelters?

Well, this is going to sound pretty dumb I am sure, but what should I
say? I mean, call back and go, "Hey by the way, the lady who runs
the refuge should stop declawing the cats! It is cruel and not only
physically scars the kitty, but does psychological damage!"

I just do not want to go to jail for threatening/stalking/whatever.
And I have got a temper so if they were to get mouthy about it
instead of talk about it, I would most likely end up cussing them
out.

Maybe I should call from a payphone...

Anyway. The choice was already made, but now it will NEVER have the
possibility to change.

Gabby keeps her claws.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Please read this before making a decision:

http://www.maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm

Hugs,

CatNipped


"-Lost" <maventheextrawords DeleteThis @techie.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99B9C084B4E1lostthreads@216.196.97.136...
> After talking with my friend at the animal hospital for the
> thousandth time today, they started mentioning some other things that
> I should have done before officially calling Gabby "good to go."
>
> 1. Get her spayed - of course, this is already planned.
> 2. "ridder of critters" they said. Done.
> 3. Tons more general how to take care of a cat tips. Done.
> ..
> 19. Maybe not 19th, but the last thing they said was, "And make sure
> to get her declawed." Not so sure about...
>
> Forgive my ignorance on this one, and cat lovers please don't bounce
> something off of my head, but I thought as long as you were...
>
> 1. Not in fear of your life.
> 2. Your other animals got along fine with kitty.
> 3. Kitty uses her abundance of play things and scratching posts,
> walls, climbs, and other assorted cat approved claw-holders.
> 4. Kitty eventually stops chasing you down and attacking you from
> behind.
>
> ...that you did not have to get a cat declawed. My friend made it
> out like it is a must along with spaying an animal.
>
> What's the word cat people?
>
> --
> -Lost
> Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
> kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Response from "cybercat" <cyberpurrs.DeleteThis@yahoo.com>:

<snip>

>> Assuming this is incorrect, I will explain "shed their claws" to
>> avoid further confusion. I was told that cats claws were similar
>> to dogs in that they eventually flake or grow like exoskeletons,
>> whereby the newer nail underneath pushes the older one off. Or
>> in the case of a scratching post, helps remove it.
>>
>> Is that correct?
>>
>
> Just the sheath comes off. You want to get clippers and clip just
> the sharp tip so that when you play with your cat, or he/she walks
> on carpet etc. the claws don't catch you or it. It is easy and
> simple--if your cat does not like
> it, get a friend to help you. We used to roll Boo up in a beach
> towel, I would hold her with just one foot at a time sticking out,
> and soothe her while my husband clipped. Now she just lets us do
> it--because she gets a treat afterward.

Ooooh, OK. Just the tips, got it.

Definitely going to try the towel method. When Gabby first came to
us we had to bathe her a time or two to rid her of paint, pests, and
poo (literally). Anyway... after the bath she would literally fall
slick out wrapped in a towel. So she definitely digs it!

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Response from bobblespin <nospam.DeleteThis@nothing.com>:

> With a claw trimmer, just clip the tip of each claw, before the
> pink part. Get kitty used to it asap my touching her paws gently
> every day so she gets used to her paws being handled. Praise and
> talk sweetly the whole time so it becomes a nice experience. If
> you don't clip the claws, they can become very long and very sharp
> and will hook into everything as they walk and play. Even our
> outdoor cat needs to be clipped because walking on grass doesn't
> stop them from growing too long.

Do you have a recommendation for one? I was recently reading an
article about using a dremel on doggy toe nails, but I imagine that
Gabby's are too small to use a dremel on.

> PLEASE DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT. They suffer horribly, even with
> pain medication.

Fine by me.

Thanks for the feedback, Bobble.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

Response from "CatNipped" <CatNipped RemoveThis @PossiblePlaces.com>:

> Please read this before making a decision:
>
> http://www.maxshouse.com/facts_about_declawing.htm

Darn you, CatNipped. I already felt like crying...

Seriously though, thanks for that information. I have already now made
the decision that my kitty keeps her claws, but now I have the reason
why to show my family and my friend who have bad news about (I am going
to post a reply to the main thread about what they said).

Thanks again, CatNipped.

--
-Lost
Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw.. 

I can't believe someone who works at an animal hospital would
recommend declawing. It's illegal in this country, considered to be
an act of animal cruelty, thank goodness.

Marcia

On 28 Sep, 06:10, "-Lost" <maventheextrawo....TakeThisOut@techie.com> wrote:
> After talking with my friend at the animal hospital for the
> thousandth time today, they started mentioning some other things that
> I should have done before officially calling Gabby "good to go."
>
> 1. Get her spayed - of course, this is already planned.
> 2. "ridder of critters" they said. Done.
> 3. Tons more general how to take care of a cat tips. Done.
> ..
> 19. Maybe not 19th, but the last thing they said was, "And make sure
> to get her declawed." Not so sure about...
>
> Forgive my ignorance on this one, and cat lovers please don't bounce
> something off of my head, but I thought as long as you were...
>
> 1. Not in fear of your life.
> 2. Your other animals got along fine with kitty.
> 3. Kitty uses her abundance of play things and scratching posts,
> walls, climbs, and other assorted cat approved claw-holders.
> 4. Kitty eventually stops chasing you down and attacking you from
> behind.
>
> ...that you did not have to get a cat declawed. My friend made it
> out like it is a must along with spaying an animal.
>
> What's the word cat people?
>
> --
> -Lost
> Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am
> kidding. No I am not.
 >> Stay informed about: I need your sagely advice and wisdom again, people. Declaw..