I have a 15 year old cat who is not de-clawed. I didn't have the heart to do it way back when and it's too late now. I'm still not sure if it is a humane thing to do, I know there is a lot of controversy around this subject in the cat lover's world.

I heard of a new operation wherein they do not remove the claws, they just cut the nerves so the cat cannot retrack it's nails.

Has anyone heard of this or had it done to their cats? I still won't have it done to mine as she is too old, but I am thinking of getting another cat and may consider this option if it doesn't appear to be cruel.

I love my little kitty, but she has ruined my sofa which is only 4 years old and it's just so discouraging sometimes, she knows she is not supposed to stratch and she has her own scratch pad which I trained her to use she just prefers the sofa.

By Vicki on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 06:24 pm:

Hmmm.. I have never heard of it! Maybe talk to your vet and see if they do it and what all it involves??

By Paulas on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 07:50 pm:

We use soft claws and I would recommend them over any sort of operation for a cat 15 years old. You can buy them at any pet store and probably at your vet as well. They come in clear or colored (for the painted nail effect). You clip the cat's nail, place the included adhesive inside the soft claw and place them over your cat's claw. We have found that they need replaced ever 3-4 months. They really helped Taz (our 12 year old cat that died recently). We are going to get some for Tiger too as the ones we have left from Taz are too big for her yet. We will get her some kitten ones.

By Boxzgrl on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 08:18 pm:

I doubt any good vet would perform that surgery on a 15 year old cat. You not only have the surgery and recovery to worry about but how your cats old body will take the anesthesia. I personally wouldnt do it.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 08:32 pm:

I agree, I doubt any decent vet would perform other than absolutely necessary (life-saving) surgery on a 15 year old cat.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 08:37 pm:

As for the new cat, yes, declawing is controversial. All of my cats were declawed and if I got a new cat it would be declawed. My son's cat (both live with me) is not declawed and has not harmed the furniture. (on re-reading, I realized you were not contemplating declawing the old cat - but maybe the softclaws things would help.)

As for the cruelty aspect of declawing, I would think that would apply to this alternative surgery also. I think you have to make up your own mind on that. (I'm puzzled - to me retract means to pull in. Why would there be surgery to prevent retracting the claws? Is it to prevent extending them?) At any rate, if I were going to have surgery to deal with the claw issue, I'd rather have declawing than nerve surgery as I think there are more possibilities for things to go wrong with nerve surgery - personal, uninformed about the procedure, opinion.

By Agreen on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 09:11 pm:

i had the same problem with my kitty. We bought double stick tape and put it over the areas that she loves to claw! I guess cats do not like sticky things. (according to our pet shop) And she has since stop scratching the sofa. Just make sure that they have somewhere else to scratch. It is worth a try before looking into surgery. And it is much cheaper

By Heaventree on Sunday, January 30, 2005 - 09:17 pm:

Sorry for the confusion and just for the record:

I am NOT considering having surgery for my 15 year old cat.

I know that she is way too old and it's far too dangerous.

I was thinking of getting a new kitten and was looking for possible options.

Thanks for your comments.

By Paulas on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 01:41 am:

I need to apologize. I didn't read your post through to the end and I now realize I missed some important information.

I'm sorry!

By Colette on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 05:37 am:

Mine are all declawed. I had it done when they were kittens. I would not have a cat if I couldn't get it declawed.

By Cat on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 09:13 am:

Both my cats are declawed, but we didn't do it. We got one of them when she was 6yo and the other was only 4mo. Both were fixed and declawed by their previous owners. I have heard of those soft claws and they sound good, but do need to be replaced every so often. If you do choose to get a kitten declawed, it's best to do it before they're 1yo and pay the extra for the laser. Good luck!

By Paulas on Monday, January 31, 2005 - 08:23 pm:

Heaventree...when are you planning to get your new kitten? I'm just not sure how well a 15 yo cat would take to having a playful kitten around the house.

By Palmbchprincess on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 02:29 am:

Is 1 year too old to de-claw? We weren't too concerned about it earlier, but lately the cats have been tearing up my curtains at night, and leaving surface scratches all over my leather, so we're planning to declaw.

By Colette on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 05:39 am:

I don't think it's to old but the recovery may be a little longer than in a younger kitten.

By Heaventree on Tuesday, February 1, 2005 - 10:59 am:

Paula,

We did a test over the holidays, my 15 year old was just fine with my sister-in-laws cat, however, the other cat was not in my cat's territory. We got a dog about 2 years ago and she has adjusted fine to the dog and the baby. I think it might take a few weeks or even months but I'm sure she would adapt. Anyway we are just thinking of getting another cat - nothing decided yet. I'm having another baby in September so I might hold off for another year, I think I have enough on my plate for now.