Things You'll Need:
- Newspaper or non-granular litter
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Step 1
Follow all care instructions given by your vet. These are specific to your cat and his situation.
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Step 2
Give all pain medications to your cat at the times specified by your vet. Your newly declawed cat is going to be in pain for at least a few days and these medications can help her to be more comfortable.
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Step 3
Replace the cat litter with either shredded newspaper or non-granular litter during the healing process. If he won't use anything except cat litter, call your vet for advice. One option is to let him use the regular litter and then gently wash all remnants from his paws after each use. This requires you to keep a close eye on your newly declawed cat to make sure you can rinse his paws off right away.
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Step 4
Keep your cat from jumping off of furniture and high perches. The landing from these jumps can cause bleeding and pain. After healing, she should be able to jump around again like normal.
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Step 5
Hold a paper towel around her paw if bleeding does occur. Use gentle pressure for 5 to 10 minutes. If the bleeding doesn't stop or if you think she injured herself, call your vet.
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Step 6
Keep your newly declawed cat indoors for the entire healing process. It's recommended that you keep him indoors even after healing is finished. While the back claws most likely still remain and can be used in emergencies, he doesn't have the full protection that an outdoor cat should have.
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Step 7
Call your vet if the paws look swollen or if bleeding occurs frequently. Also call if your cat has problems walking after 5 days or if his general health decreases.
Comments
my10cents said
on 4/13/2009 I came across these posts rather by chance, but I would like to add that if I was a cat I would not want to have my claws amputated. I�m sure Sandfance loves her kitties very much. Years ago, like many people who have declawed their cat, I too was misinformed as to what declawing entails. These days, all aspects of this horrible procedure (which is considered inhumane, mutilation and banned in many countries.) can be researched on the internet. A cat is the wrong pet for people who worry about it damaging their furniture or scratching people. It�s a cat�s nature to bite too. Would these people also have their cat�s teeth pulled? Since becoming informed, I have not had my cats declawed and they don�t scratch the furniture at all. They love their scratch boxes, posts, special carpet piece, and use only those. I wish everyone who is considering having their pet suffer excruciating pain for
kiratrever said
on 12/20/2008 A very compassionate article, but have you heard of Laser declawing? My sister did this and the downtime/pain/healing was much faster. I think this is a more humane approach to the matter, but I like your sensible article just the same.
jdillon said
on 10/1/2008 I just got my two kittens declawed. It was a very difficult decision....especially after researching it on the internet! I called several vets and got good/positive information from them. Today is the first day after surgery and they seem to be slower than normal, but do not appear to be in great pain. My vet did not send home any pain medication and told me not to change my scoopable litter. Should I 'demand' pain meds for them for a few days? My biggest concern is possible behavior changes that I read about. Specifically litter box issues. Any advice?
sandfance said
on 3/26/2008 If a cat had pain after declawing had healed I think we'd know. They would limp around.. There is no scar tissue to speak of on any of mine.. And they do walk on the pads on the bottom of their feet not the tips of their toes like ballerinas.. All 3 of my cats are very happy specimens and they jump, run and play as though nothing had ever happened to them.. Like I already stated, Go find someone who is being inhumane to hound, not someone who spends a fortune on their animals and loves them very much...
sandfance said
on 3/26/2008 If a cat had pain after declawing had healed I think we'd know. They would limp around.. There is no scar tissue to speak of on any of mine.. And they do walk on the pads on the bottom of their feet not the tips of their toes like ballerinas.. All 3 of my cats are very happy specimens and they jump, run and play as though nothing had ever happened to them.. Like I already stated, Go find someone who is being inhumane to hound, not someone who spends a fortune on their animals and loves them very much...