Question: Our cat is about 2 YO and still acts quite kittenish. He’s quite playful and doesn’t mean to tear up the house, but with his enthusiasm, playfulness, and sharp claws, the hardwood floors are suffering, as are various pieces of furniture and drapes in the house. He’s been diagnosed with an eye condition that prevents him from being let outside. Can you please speak to the issue of our possibly declawing him? I know claws can be removed by lasers, but this seems to be out of our budget. Is the cheaper alternative much more painful to cats, especially to an adult cat?
Answer: While declawing would be the easy answer, it is the most costly. I would not recommend having your cat declawed with anything other than the laser. We have been using it for almost 12 years and will not perform this surgery any other way. The recovery is much quicker and the pain is much less-especially in an adult cat. If you chose this option your cat cannot be allowed outdoors as he will not be able to protect himself or climb as well.
Keeping the cat’s nails trimmed frequently (maybe weekly) could definitely help. This is something you can do at home for only the minimal cost of the nail trimmers.
Another option is using soft paws. These are rubber “claws” that are glued on over top of your cat’s real claws. Theses are availble on line and can be applied at home. They do have to be replaced periodically depending on the activity level of the cat. Most cats tolerate them well so this is another option for you.
Dr Chip Cooney
Animal Hospital of Statesville