declawing my cats,

[cat9841]

how old is to old to declaw a cat, I have 4 cats ages 5, 4, 3 and 6 months. also we are planning a long move from CA to WA, what is the best way to move them?

[lmls22]

I had a car wreck two years ago while moving with my pets.  My Tahoe rolled twice in the median and the 21 foot long trailer rolled with us.  I had my 3 cats separated and in their own carriers.  I lost one of my cats because the carrier she was in was not sturdy enough.  It was the kind that had plastic nuts and bolts to close it on all sides.  Oddly enough, the bolts held but the plastic around them broke.  The carrier with locking tabs held up, and even the duffle bag style carrier did well.  I think I would still have my cat today if I would have padded around the carriers.  She was about 15 lbs, so while upside down, her weight broke the plastic.  I still don't know whether she was was thrown from the vehicle or just took off.  I never could find her.  EMTs and Police will not help you look.  They are more concerned about you and your welfare.  They will pressure you to go to the hospital in an ambulance even if there is nothing wrong.  I only had scratches (praise to Chevrolet engineers!) but my $40K SUV was totalled.

Sorry about the tangent.  I'm still tore up.  Here is what I suggest:
1.  Drive slower than you would normally - don't add any unnecceary risk to the drive
2.  If you pack anything in the vehicle make sure it is not something that could become a dangerous projectile.  Use clothes, towels, or linens.
3.  Check with your vet on what type of carrier he/she recommends
4.  Put them in separate carriers
5.  Do not place them where they can see out of the windows - this will add to the meowing and may cause motion sickness
6.  Keep the car cool - you don't want the kitties to get overheated.  The stress will cause them to pant enough as it is.  
7.  DO NOT give them "kitty-valium".  It stresses them more because they do not have control over themselves.  Plus, you want them to have their wits about them if there is an accident.  It may save their life.

Good luck!

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

You can get away with out declawing your cats by purchasing "Soft Paws".  Soft Paws are little false nails that you glue over your cats claws as you would with fake human fingernails.  They do not come off once glued on and come off when the nails grow out.  Application consists of cutting the cats nails short, applying the glue and placine a Soft Paw in place over the nail.  The can be used over and over again.  The are soft rubber so that a cat can still use its covered claws with out causing damage to others or furniture.  

As far as safe carriers goes please check with an airline to find out which carriers they recommend.  If they can withstand air travel they should be strong enough for car travel.  All the other comments have been great.  I just wanted to tell you that your should also strap in the carrier using the seat belt.  There are carrier seat belt attachments available on line or at the larger pet supply stores.

[dcu]

Hi,
I am completely against declawing. My EX boyfriend had his cats declawed behind my back. Their personalities changed...I have heard that it changes them. It is unnatural. Please, really consider not doing this to them. It is soooo painful! They rip them out from the root and it is way up inside their toes! Imagine if someone pulled our fingernails off....his cats couldn't walk and bled for a week after and then didn't jump up or down on things for a long time. When they did, they are used to having claws to grab...so I saw them fall alot, and this really embarrassed them! They don't seem happy to me.

Anyway! Sorry to go on and on, but you can see how I feel about it! NOW, my two boys are not declawed and one of them was a terror on my furnature! He was destroying it! My other boy is just so sweet natured and doesn't like being in trouble, so if he did it, it wasn't while I was home...he won't even use his claws to kill bigs..he just taps them with his paws...he is sooo sweet! ANYWAY, I bought this thing..it is called SUPERSCRATCHER. It comes in a cardboard  box, like the size of a gift box that you would put a shirt...you take the top off and they give you catnap in it to sprinkle on it, but that is just to get them to investigate it....my cats love it, I have gone thru two in the last 6 months. They last for awhile..cuz both of my cats are hell on this thing! It is made like out of cardboard...but my cats scratch on that all the time. As soon as they get up they go straight to it. I got new furnature about 3 months ago, and nothing! I have caught my terror thinking about it, but I just put him on his SuperScratcher, and he starts clawiing
The box is purple, walmart usually has them..I think 10.00, but WELL WORTH IT!

Good Luck!

[ireneo]

I own an abyssinian and for some reason that breed just doesn't use claws when playing. No matter how much we play tag around the house, she won't grab with her claws. She just "tags" us by batting at our legs. Just a random bit of information.

What about those little things to slip on the claws that are sold now? I guess they slip over the tip and stick in place for quite awhile. Or keep the claws trimmed. I do that with my cat just so she doesn't snag on things. When we first adopted her, the hind claws were so long she kept snagging on the carpet as she walked. Ouch.

And. . .it would be nice to keep the cat inside. No need to defend herself and will be much safer. Not to mention keeping all the little wild critters (baby birds and such) safer too.

[Jaybay]

I am completely against declawing cats.  Their claws are one of the few defenses they have, and declawed cats will generally turn into big-time biters because their teeth are the only thing they have left to fight with.  The surgery is extremely painful, and in my opinion, downright cruel.  If you're having problems with your cats clawing furniture, you can try different toys for them to sharpen their claws on rather than resorting to surgery.  Neutering and spaying at an early age helps to avoid spraying and other unwanted behavior as well.