Declawing a cat using one of the two common conventional methods usually costs between $100 and $250, depending on the veterinarian and which procedure is used. The "Rescoe clipper" method is more common and usually falls at the lower end of the cost range because it is a simpler procedure and takes less time. The "Disarticulation" method, which is more involved, usually falls at the upper end of the range.
Declawing a cat using the laser method usually costs between $250 and $450, depending on the veterinarian.
Declawing a cat can be a controversial procedure, and some veterinarians do not offer the service. Other veterinarians offer it reluctantly, believing it should be a last resort. If you know you want to declaw your cat, ask about the veterinarian's stance on the procedure.
In the "Resco Clipper" method, the veterinarian uses a sterile clipper to cut off the tips of the bones in the toes, from which the claws grow. Then, the incision is closed with stitches or glue. This method usually has the fastest surgery time, but there is a slight risk the claw will re-grow, which can cause infection and require more surgery.
In the "Disarticulation" method, the veterinarian entirely removes the bones from which the claws grow, by disconnecting each of the ligaments attached to those bones. This method is more complex, and alters the cat's feet more, but eliminates the risk of re-growth.
In laser declawing, the veterinarian uses a laser, instead of a scalpel, to entirely remove the bones from which the claws grow. With this method, there is almost no bleeding and less pain.
VeterinaryPartner.com[1] offers a description of the three types of declawing procedures, as well as alternatives to declawing.
The cost of declawing includes anesthesia, pain medications, antibiotics, a two-day hospital stay and a post-surgical examination.
Additional costs:
A pre-surgery blood test, to check liver and kidney function, is recommended for all cats and often required for older cats. It costs about $40 to $50 extra.
For a few days following the surgery, most veterinarians recommend that the cat wear a patch that releases pain medication. It costs about $40 extra.
Shopping for cat declawing:
To find a good veterinarian, ask fellow cat owners, breeders or humane associations. Or, check the American Veterinary Medical Association[2] to find your state's veterinary medical association for a referral.
Ask the veterinarian how long he or she has been practicing, and how much continuing education he or she receives each year. Then, visit the clinic to look at cleanliness and attitude and ask about policies and prices.VeterinaryPartner.com offers a guide on how to find a veterinarian[3] and a list of questions to ask[4] .
Ask which type of declawing procedure the veterinarian uses. If the veterinarian uses a laser -- which requires a certain level of skill and experience -- ask how long he or she has been using it and how many laser declaws he or she has performed. Also, ask to talk to the owner of a cat the veterinarian has declawed.
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Hello all, We are having a really hard time finding someone to declaw my kitten. I have 2 other cats that are already declawed. My new Kitten, who is 5 months old, has a lot of energy and likes to play with my other cats but because of his claws he ends up hurting them. My other cat Bentley’s both eyes have been hurt by the kitten and I’m afraid as he’s getting bigger and stronger that he’s only going to hurt them more. All My cats are hundred percent indoor cats. We are a military family and has traveled all over the country. We had no issues getting them declawed in California. But we cannot find anyone in New Hampshire to do it for us. We have used Banfield in the past but no Banfield in Connecticut and Massachusetts will do it. If you guys know of anyone in New Hampshire area that will do the declaw I would really appreciate your help. Thanks, Monika
All my cats have been declawed my entire life. I keep them indoors and do not believe claws are necessary for their happiness. I also do not believe that it affects them after they heal from the surgery! My cats walk, run and jump just fine! They do not have deformed feet and I do not believe even for a second that they are still in any kind of pain. My cats are the happiest cats I've ever seen. I can tell you that I have seen what an eyeball looks like that has been scratched by a cats claw and I would much prefer to remove claws than one of my cats eyes!
due to my cancer I cannot have my body scratched with claws that have been in feces and urine. I do not want to declaw my cat - but cannot keep him otherwise. Do you think I'm being selfish?
For Pete’s sake , fixing is for owners benefit? Really? Yeah, I don’t like a male cat spraying things, true. And females going into heat repeatedly is actually painful for them. Have you ever seen one in heat? Plus, it’s scientifically proven that spaying cuts dramatically down on uterin cancer. Fixing is the responsible thing to do so they don’t breed and then have an overpopulation and have to be euthanized because the owners are not knowledgeable or just irresponsible and/or too cheap to properly care for their cats therefore shouldn’t own any. I worked at a vets and if declawing the lazer method is the least painful and heals quickly. Other methods are more painful and can get infected if not cared for properly.
If you are told to declaw your cat, keep a stiff upper lip and give your cat to someone who does not have to declaw it. It is beyond cruel to declaw a cat. It is like removing the first joint of all our fingers, from nail down to first joint. The cat needs its claws to defend itself, climb, and balance.
Declawing a cat for any reason is essentially cutting off the cat's "fingertips" at the first joint knuckle. It's cruel, painful and causes hypersensitivity to their paws their entire life. Most end up with crippling, curled up paws because of years of walking on amputated nails that were cut at joint. Plastic cat claws can be used instead of declawing. Please consider. Do your research. Just because a Vet offers this procedure does not mean it's humane. Think for yourself. Horrible procedure that humans use for convenience. Please please reconsider and do not do this to your poor cat. Would you like to wake up from a surgery and have all your fingers cut off at your first knuckle? Just left with stubs? All your nails gone and most of your finger? So unnecessary.
Need to have my 2 yr old cat declawed. Unfortunately where I live they are now making it mandatory. My vet I currently use wants over $450. I really can't afford that. I'm currently dealing with medical issues myself and getting chemo etc. But I don't wanna lose my cat he's my sons best buddy and he has helped him so much with me being sick. I live in Sinking spring PA. Any ideas I would greatly appreciate it so so much. I've been making so many calls and getting nowhere. Thank u
My 6 yr old Tabby uses his paws to eat believe it or not. Does the same with his water. He's very loving & kind. How ever landlady said " Declaw or else" well I afford have fur baby declawed. I've him 8wks as I said he's on 7yrs now. What I do? I also can't afford move this time. He also ESA. Need help to have this done. : (
I had my two girls declawed when I had them spayed about 20 years ago. I don't remember the cost but whatever I spent, it was well worth it! I rented at the time and my landlady told me that they had to be declawed or out they went! The procedure was done and they recovered pretty quickly with no ill effects afterward. They both lived long, healthy, happy lives and were indoor kitties always. I just adopted two feral kitties (both under a year old) recently and when I asked my (same) vet about declawing, she said "they" are trying to move away from that practice. I adopted these kitties on the assumption that I would have them declawed. Several years ago I had breast cancer which included lymph node removal. As a results, I must be very careful to avoid injuries, scratches and infections. Let's get real, here! I think it would be more cruel to give these kitties away and have them end up ?? than to have them declawed. This area is overflowing with feral cats, as it is!
Posted by: Oh for Pete's Sake in Sioux Center, IA.
Posted: November 8th, 2016 02:11PM
Breed: Mutt
Type of Procedure: Declaw
We took in a stray many years ago. We had her declawed right away. She brought much joy to our home and we never had one lick of trouble with her. She was a very happy cat. Well adjusted. Great personality. No health problems whatsoever. She climbed trees and caught birds and mice with no trouble. I'd declaw again in a heartbeat. I don't understand how people say spaying and neutering is a good thing for the animals. It has to hurt just as much if not more than declawing and it's done for the benefit of humans - not the animals. It's become insane how off-base some folks have become about animals and what they THINK is good for them....
You're all horrible people if you get your cat declawed!!!! If you don't want to get scratched or have your furniture torn up...DON'T GET A CAT!!! It's very simple!!! I don't care if your cat didn't have any problems after...How would you like the tips of your fingers cut off??!!! I have several cats and one of them has torn up me and my furniture but I chose to have him and would never mutilate him!!! I'm so glad that N.Y.had banned it!! There is a reason there's a ban on it!!!!!
My cats are shredding the arms of my new sofa chair. I have tried soft claws from Petsmart but my Siamese kitty just rips them off. I just about called every Vet in the state of Virginia that performs cat declaws. The two most affordable telephone price quotes were from: Emporia Animal Hospital - $105 - $130 715 North Main Street, Emporia, VA Monelison Animal Clinic - $185 143 Highview Drive Madison Heights, VA
I love my cat very much and I really didn't want to do this procedure,but,she clawing up my trim,furniture and my husband.I trim her nails but, that does seem to work cause with-in no time she has them sharp again.{Please help,tell me of a place reasonable.
I recently took in a stray and it's my first time encountering a declawed cat and I think it's beyond messed up. HELLO!!! They make NAIL CAPS that you simply glue on and re-apply however often. Declawing, now thats some bull. What if your cat accidently gets outside? Like I said, **i recently took in a STRAY**. You guys are horrible. DONT GET A CAT IF YOU ARE THAT WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING GETTING IN CONTACT WITH ITS NAILS, PERIOD.
To all those saying that declawing is only for the human, I disagree! All 3 of my boys (ages 12, 10 and 6 years old) have had their front claws out. As that was primarily for the salvation of my carpeting and furniture they are all fine. No behavior issues, backs left in case they get out. The issue is the youngest which is a newer female. She is approx 4-5 years old and mean as a snake! She was not raised in a friendly environment as a kitten prior to coming to us. And though she does use the scratching posts, she does not hesitate to use all four paws (and teeth if she feels the need) on anyone in the house. I can not brush her or clip her nails without ending up bleeding. With all the gental loving and care she has calmed quite a bit in the years we have had her. I am not turning her over to a shelter and as she has become my snuggle buddy my only option to save our flesh (and the other cats/dogs) is have all 4 sets of claws removed. Sorry for those that disagree but not your choice
I have read all the comments posted up till this date, and what I hear is a lot of cat owners who truly love their cats. I am also a cat lover/owner, and have been for the past 18 years. I have had several types of cats, both male and female. The two grown cats I have now are 8 and 14 years old. They are both totally declawed. I would not have done it any differently. They both did awesome with the procedure, each perfomed by a different Dr. They recovered in their youth, at the time of the procedure, which was before age 1. They did not have a personality change afterwards, which is uncommon anyway. They have remained healthy all these years, as I have never let them outside to wander. To all of you who say that these loving cat owners are cruel to chose declaw, I say to each his own. Do not judge others, as I have not judged you for choices of abortion, circumscision, etc to humans. You should do what you feel is best for your situation, but if you are going to keep your cat outside, remember they need to be able to defend themselves, and also their lifespan will most likely be only be 2-4 years. Hope this helps!
Hi! I'm really needing some help. I have a 3yo male cat. Although I really don't want to declaw him, he's hit a breaking point with his claws and rough housing. The last straw was him tearing fur and drawing blood from my other cat (5yo) and my roommate's cats. He's a really really sweet cat and just wants to play but I can't have him terrorizing the other cats. Every place I have called around range from $400-$800 just for the front 2 paws! As a student I just cant afford that but I also could never just give him to a shelter. Does anyone know any places that aren't so expensive even if its in another state close by I'm willing to drive. I greatly appreciate the help of this thread and hope to hear back from someone.
I got a new kitty about a month ago, who was about 7 weeks old. He has become more and more aggressive, attacking me all day long, both biting and scratching. He also always uses his claws when he jumps up on furniture or me (The feeling of claws digging into my skin? Not the best feeling ever). Of course I have tried scratching posts and what not, but the main problem is when he jumps up on me. I don't know what to do. I have scratches all over my legs (so much for going to the beach!...Not just an excuse for not getting into bathing suit shape!) While I agree that people should not declaw if there are other options that will work, I don't think declawing is wrong if it is your last resort when kitty is hurting people. Hmmm, let's think about this....Which is worse, your cat being declawed, or your FLESH AND BLOOD CHILD being mauled and scared up by the cat? I am sorry, but the choice seems clear. Yeah, also better for the cat than being sent to a shelter only to be put down.
my first cat was dew-clawed as adult and that was harsh for her due to her weight on those feet and the old style no laser the result was a much more affectionate and happy cat as I was not constantly spay with water when she was scratching my new furniture(3rd set) my next cat i dewclaw as a kitten and she dealt with it much better and no change in behavior my moms new kitty had the laser DE-clawing and the cat was walking and jumping around on day 2 like nothing happened so while it expensive it worth for the cat so while some people think it cruel I personally believe it in there best interest for an indoor cat
We found my cat 16 years ago, wounded on the side of the road. His eyes were barely open. When he was old enough, he was neutered and declawed. (Young) And he adjusted just fine. He's STILL the happiest most active kitty and a big portion of his life was spent inside/outside until 3 years ago when he became just inside due to my mother moving to a place that was no longer in the country. When he was outside, he would bring her MANY 'gifts' once even a full grown ground hog. (We're not proud of that) He was able to defend himself perfectly find with no claws and he's a lover. Sweetest kitty, ever and not going anywhere anytime soon. Still jumps onto and off of counters, tables wherever.
I had a Persian mix rescue kitten declawed who lived to age 19 with no issues after I had her declawed. I now have two Ragdoll brothers who I adore but have destroyed over 2K of furniture (yes, they have posts etc). I have decided to have them declawed as well, although it was not my first choice. Their big boys, 15lbs and growing and have the potential to do a lot of damage. They are sweet and lovable, not aggressive, but just love to claw everything! They are now clawing the screen doors and climbing them, and with their weight could tear the screen allowing them to get out of the house. This is a risk I won't allow. Our local Cat Clinic did my other cats delawing with excellent recovery. They now offer laser only surgery with 2 night stay and pain meds for $125. I hope this will make our lives all easier and safer.
I have two calico cats who are sisters. Both had ALL paws declawed, front and back. They are 13 years old now and healthy and HAPPY and LOVE life and people. They love jumping, running, and sleeping. They also still go around and "scratch" everything! But thank god for no claws! Just educate yourself people.
They have effectively saved my cat's life! She's too old to be adopted... My cat is Jekyll and Hyde. I am skilled with rehabbing problem kitties. Mine takes the cake... Save your kitty too! Monelison Animal Clinic 143 Highview Dr Madison Heights, VA 24572
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