Removing thumb claw from Maine Coon, any experience?

[NameyMcNameChange1]

I have a four month old Maine Coon kitten who has thumbs on all four legs. The back two don’t bother him but the two front ones are constant getting caught in stuff. He caught one in a towel yesterday and was running round the house screaming and dragging the towel. I finally managed to get it off him but it bled a fair bit and is clearly still causing him pain. I took him to the vet this morning and she suggested declawing just the front two thumbs may be an option.

I’ve done some reading online but everything just says how cruel and unnecessary declawing is. I’m more concerned that if/ when I let him out after he’s neutered he could get completely stuck somewhere and really hurt himself. The thumb claws are far enough up his leg that he doesn’t walk on it at all, when he crouched to pounce it’s still off the ground.

Has anyone got any experience of this? Or any thoughts on other ways I could help him stop getting it caught? Thanks

[Toddlerteaplease]

I agree that de clawing is barbaric. But in this case I probably would have it done, for the reasons you mention. Is he polydactyl?

[NameyMcNameChange1]

Yes, he’s polydactyl toddler. Apparently that means he’d be considered lucky if he was a ships cat.

[Dafspunk]

You know the rules - we can’t possibly help without a pic of your kitty.

[CharlesChickens]

Absolutely, pics essential.
I had a cat with thumbs, he was a lovely boy. He would put his furry little hand on my arm.

[Grumpyoldpersonwithcats]

There's a world of difference between declawing a cat because you want to keep your furniture nice and having two claws removed from a polydactyl cat on veterinary advice because it is causing a problem for your cat.
I'd almost certainly go ahead in your position.

[NameyMcNameChange1]

I’m trying to take ones of his paws which he suddenly won’t show me.

[dementedpixie]

You are only removing 2 claws for medical reasons rather than removing all of them to stop them scratching your furniture! I would definitely do it if it will improve his quality of life

[NameyMcNameChange1]

Ooh this one shows them

[CharlesChickens]

Oh he is gorgeous. Do you think he might get used to his thumbs as he gets older ? Kittens often get their normal claws caught too.

[NameyMcNameChange1]

I’m hoping he will charleschicken but I’m concerned he’ll do himself damage before he does. The one on his front left is a particular problem because you have to trim it really close to the pink part of his claw or digs into his paw. The claw on both the front two thumbs actually points right towards his paw.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Are you in the U.K.? In which case it should be full dew claw removal.
Declawing for whatever reason can lead to chronic pain and even for treatment purposes is illegal in the U.K.

[Toddlerteaplease]

He's gorgeous. Have you seen the cravendale cats with thumbs advert. Be on your guard OP!

[chemenger]

Can I ask what the difference between declawing and removing a dew claw is Lonecatwithkitten?

[chemenger]

OP he is the cutest!

[CharlesChickens]

Declawing just takes the actual claw away, but can leave a hugely sensitive area where the claw was. Dew claw removal takes away the entire “toe” .

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Charleschickens has it correct. Dew claw removal takes the entire toe whereas declaw big removes just the claw and has been shown to leave exposed nerves.

[NameyMcNameChange1]

Ah, I see. The vet did call it dew claw removal but I’ve just been googling declawing as I thought she was saying declaw removal . Off to do some more reading now which will hopefully give me more of an idea. Thanks guys.

[TheFaerieQueene]

No help re the claw situation, but even as a doggy person, that is one cute cat.