I Don't Want To Declaw But I Don't Know Any Other Options

I have two cats who are about a year old now. Recently they have begun killing birds every other day or more. I looked into cat bibs to stop this but they seem to work by throwing off a cat's precision and timing- I believe my cats have been pulling young birds out of their nests, so this would not be an effective fix. Would declawing be appropriate? What other options do I have to prevent their constant killing?

The only way to stop them killing birds as far i know is to keep them inside. Please don't declaw them, it's like having part of your finger cut off and causes pain for the cats which leads to behavior problems like biting, issues with the litterbox, etc

I'm sure someone will come along with thoughts what you could do

The best way is to keep the cats indoors. If you make them wear something to interfere with their hunting precision and timing you will be interfering with their ability to escape predators - dogs, other cats (whose bites can give them fatal illnesses Felv, FIV), hawks, coyotes, raccoons, snakes.

You really can't have it both ways. If they go out they are in danger but if you 'tie their hands' you are setting them up to be killed. Therefore, if they go out accept that they will kill birds. Some cats don't, some kill mice, shrews, voles, rats, snakes. Yours go for birds. Or accept that you will hobble them and they will probably be killed. Or keep them inside. Cats can be perfectly happy inside. The main reasons they enjoy out of doors is the hunt and mating.

I mean, if I were in that situation the best option for me would be to make them indoor-only cats. It's a lot safer, and they're less likely to damage the local avian population without having to put them through declawed. Plus declawing them if they are outside could be dangerous, as it is their best defense against predators that could attack them.

So long as you provide them stimulus inside, they will live perfectly happy and healthy lives.

If you really think they would miss outside life, get them harnesses and take them for walks! I've seen a lot of successes from that.

Madison1280 said:

Would declawing be appropriate? What other options do I have to prevent their constant killing?

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Declawing will not help. In fact, it is more dangerous for your cat to be outside without claws.

I totally agree with K Kflowers and F fishkingdra to keep your cat indoors.

Here are sone articles for you to read :-

why-cats-should-not-be-declawed.22411

declawing-more-than-just-a-manicure.29668

declawing-and-alternatives.29667

I really think that keeping your cats indoors or building an wire enclosure with a roof is the solution to your problem. If you must let them out put them on a leash if an enclosure doesn't suit your needs (rental, apartment, permits etc)


I know declawing is a topic with as much controversy as abortion and hope nobody goes at anyone's throat for their beliefs.

Bringing them indoors is the only way to stop them from killing birds. Declawing, while cruel, won't stop them because claws aren't required to catch or kill. I've had a cat with no teeth gum birds to death and very rarely do I see puncture wounds on critters they catch. Even if we say no claws equal no kill, if you allow your cats outside no claws will likely mean your cats death. They won't be able to defend themselves and they won't be able to efficiently climb away from danger. Plus declawing will lead to all sorts of skeletal and behavioral problems down the road, if they survive being outside without claws.

chicken wire cat enclosure - Google Search

This is a rough idea of what an enclosure would be like

M Madison1280 welcome to TCS.

You'll find this in our forum rules:
4. This website is anti-declawing. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing

You are obviously not 'pro-claw'; just looking for options But honestly declawing is not one of them, for all the reasons expressed by members so far. It simply won't change the situation, and will have potentially dire consequences for your cats.

I had a neighbour's cat coming into my garden and lurking in places where birds where easy prey. I ended up collecting many, many pinecones and placing them in all those areas.. cats won't walk on them. In my case, though, it was at the base of a birdbath, and it may not work for you.

I agree with everything already posted here, but I wanted to add that if you can keep your cats confined to your back yard and wanted to stop them climbing trees there, something like this might work.



Plastic corrugated sheets available from garden centers and DIY stores. It's light weight and easy to attach to trees, just a couple of nails holds it in place. It won't damage the trees and it will stop your cats climbing up there.

I think a catio might be an ideal solution for you. That or a fence toppers that keep your cat in your yard and the stuff around the trees to keep your cat from climbing the trees.

Please don’t declaw your cats. 20 years ago I declawed my two cats (before I knew what it was) & I still feel guilty over it. It isn’t declawing, it is de knuckling!!!! I thought they just removed the nail, I was wrong!