declawing cats

[julie]

I live in brick nj and I need help finding someone who is charging a whole lot less than a regular vet to have my cats declawed. The first one that HAS to be done is 4 yrs old and they are quoting me 4- 500.00 dollers per cat. There is no way being a single person I can afford that price. SO, could someone advise me to an alternative to contact! thank you

[Michael aka RAB]

Great advice pierce. But I do not think she opened a can of worms. This is the way we all can learn. If people are scared to post their questions about their pets then what will happen to those pets? No it is people like you that helps members get the answers they are seeking about their pets.

[Pierce]

Michael:
I know what you're saying. But I would be afraid to ask a question like that, Everyone would jump on me, LOL!

[diane]

First of all if you feel that declawing is necessary, don't scrimp on the fee. It is a delicate surgery and should only be done by a reputable, trusted vet, one that knows you and your little tribe.
I have three rescued cats, since kittens. Sammy, Momo, and Matilda, all declawed. I chose to have my last three rescues declawed because of the damages to my furniture, as well as my window screens. I did try everything. And, I mean everything. I refused to give up my babies or have my home trashed. My vet assured me that he would take great care with my babies and they would not suffer as long as I followed his instructions. My cats still claw at the furniture and the doors and screens. There, of course, is no damage. They are happy, loved and well adjusted cats, who are loved, kissed, and hugged daily. I also made the decision a couple of years ago to bring two Shih Tzu puppies into our growing furry family. I am now confident that declawing my cats was a good decision or my babies Noelle and Hannah would probably not have any eyes today. Although the cats tolerate Noelle and Hannah pretty well, the girls can be relentless, leaving the cats no choice then to use their natural swatting motions at the girls faces to chase them off. If anyone out there has ever had, or has a Shih Tzu, then you must know of their constant puppy like behavior. They don't give up play easily. All of my furry babies are very, very loved. I have no guilt about the declawing. I rescued them from an assured devastating fate. No one ever needs to preach to me how to care for my animals, for if I didn't love them with all my heart, I wouldn't have them.

[Michael aka RAB]

Yes I do Diane as I have a Shih Tzu and he is playing all the time. I have a cat that has claws and she has swatted him a few times and that is all it took He stays clear of her. I would add that if you do have a Shih Tzu having the cat declawed maybe a good idea as Shih Tzu are prone to having eye troubles anyway and a scratch from a cat can do a lot of harm. I guess you have to weigh it all out. Declaw a cat or have a blind dog. In this case I would declaw the cat as I would want to keep both cat and dog.

[diane]

Thank you RAB aka Michael. Believe me, one swat, claws or not, would not keep my little ones, Noelle and Hannah away. They just want to play so badly with Mo and Sammy. Mo will tolerate them for quite a while. He is a great big Orange Tabby with a ton of patients, and such an angel. Sometimes he waits to get them in a headlock and bites at their ears. I hear a loud yelp, and then the girls are back for more. So, if several bites to their ears haven't taught them, sharp claws wouldn't. Like I said in my last post, I love all my babies, but saving them from being euthianized was my first priority. PS....Is the Shih Tzu the best, or what????

[Qourtney Bauder]

I'm not trying to be rude, so please don't take offense. I'm just curious as to why you never considered capping your cat's nails or filing them down and instead decided to declaw?

[Arden F.]

How about trying the soft paws? They don't do damage and you can still pick up your kitties and love on them all you want! And they can stretch all they want without harming your furniture. =] Hope this helps a little!

And really I'm sure she didn't post this to start a debate! If you were going to just spread your own feelings, rather then some advice then don't post i n a topic when all they are asking for is meaningful advice. You wouldn't like it, and neither do they...