[Lila42]

I am dead set against it. However, after ruining a leather sofa, clawing up wallpaper, ruining two screens, tearing up the carpet, and tearing up my living room furniture, I may have to reconsider. There is one cat responsible for all of that and her name is Cleo. My other cat, Gracie, only scratches on the scratching post.

[Angelkiss]

I had to get rid of my blinds as my first Ragdoll Angel kept climbing them and jumping through the slats. They were ruined. She has mellowed now and does not cause any damage she was just a naughty kitten.
I am sorry to hear Cleo is being so distructive. She sounds as if she has loads of energy! Have you tried clipping her claws? They will do less damage if they are less sharp.
I am totally against declawing. I hope you find another resolution. Good luck!
Angelkiss x

[Lila42]

I am dead set against it, too. But, I also love my husband and my kids...Cleo is full of energy and has another cat to play with . Unfortunately, Gracie sleeps more than any cat I have ever seen in my life, leaving Cleo to do her "thing." She has always been a handful. My sister was going to take her to the pound, which is why I have her. I wouldn't hear of it. That was sentencing her to death. Besides all the destruction with her claws, she pees on anything left in the floor. Anything. And with two teenage boys, sometimes that's a lot of stuff. I do trim her nails. It doesn't do any good. If it comes down to a choice between the pound and declawing, I will take declawing, but I hope it doesnt' come to that. I haven't tried the little caps for the claws, because someone told me you had to glue them on. I wouldn't do that, that sounds dangerous for the cat.

[Angelkiss]

Hi Lila,
I am from the UK and declawing is not allowed here at all. Unless there is a medical reason. The claw caps are available here, though I don't know anybody who has used them. They do seem to be a good idea if a little tricky to put on. I assume you would have to re-apply them regularly. Sorry I am not much help! Good luck!
Angelkiss x

[Katie85]

Hi

I am from the UK but have tried "soft paws" on Tilly, as Missy will not let me pick her up let alone apply the nails and it is one of the best things I have ever done!

I got Tilly as a kitten and she used to be quite destructive with wallpaper, curtains and my carpet (only in the one spot though). And I bought an expensive leather sofa which she was eyeing up. My boyfriend was furious and I was constantly defending her actions. So after seeing something on telly (I think it was Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!) which recommended the claw caps I looked on the web for soft paws and went straight to their site. I bought two packs of the hot pink and they have lasted me a year and I still have enough for another application. Not only does Tilly not rip everything to shreds now but she only scratches on her huge scrathcing post I got her. I am lucky enough that she does not mind me putting them on and she doesn't try to chew them off. I think she likes them really!

You do have to glue them on but all the literature says it is safe for cats and Tilly has never had an issue. I would recommend looking at the website Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats and look at the literature before considering declawing, or even looking in to what declawing involves - as far as I am aware they remove the bone from the knuckle, it's not just like having claw clipped short. Alos I have heard that this also changes the cats behaviour and some are more prone to biting and if she is already "unsocial" by urinating this probably wouldn't help your family situation. However if you cat does not let you trim her claws you may have a problem, or at least you may need to visit a vet who will do them (mine has offered but siad he was glad when I said I like to do it myself).

This is just my opinion as a cat owner.

I tried to attach a photo of them but it was too big so will see what I can do.

I would strongly recommend them if scratching is a problem.

[MaineAngels]

there is a new product out now you could try i have seen it but not tried it, they are soft plastic claw covers that you glue into place, completely safe for the cat, you can check with your local vet.

[Joe Katz]

No way will I EVER get my cat declawed, I personally belive it's harm against nature, cats are supposed to have claws to protect themselves, climb trees, and whatever else. I'm just saying leave nature be, cats are just awsome the way they are!
P.S, my brother once said, "Whover declaws their cat should get their fingers cut off!"

[Claire Bear oO]

Instead of declawing, like Maineangel has said, I've heard of plastic claw-covers that stick to your cat's claws and won't let them scratch anything. I think that'd be a nice alternative to declawing.

[jade's_mom]

Well...I am somewhat in the middle here; in the past, when I lived with my parents, I had no choice but to declaw my indoor kitties; atleast the front claws had to go. My outdoor kitties were, of course, allowed to keep theirs.

I think if I lived in an apartment in which I couldn't have cats unless they were declawed, I would declaw, because I simply could not live without a feline in the home...home just isn't home without a purring puss on your chest every night!!!

However, my personal preference is to NOT declaw...I just provide plenty of scratch toys, that are loaded with cat nip, so they aren't inclined to scratch anywhere else...none of my furniture or carpeting has ever been ruined thus far.

[jade's_mom]

Oh, and my indoor cats claws are clipped about every other week, like my dogs; they still can protect themselves, but they aren't so 'lethal' to me, when they get scared, or are in a cranky mood when picked up. I also trim their claws, so they don't hurt little kids that come over; they might still get scritched, but they won't get that nail really dug in... And trust me, the trimming does still allow my kitties to protect themselves...just ask my poor canines!!!!

I have always thought the glue on nail caps would be something neat to try, but I would think you would have to change them quite often; my cat's nails grow like weeds...I could see myself having to change those caps every week! Plus, being a dog and cat groomer, I am not so sure that they would sit still long enough for the process!Lol!!!!! I could see Jade running off just as I am about to put a nail on and it winding up glued on ME!!Hahahahahaha!