Does neutering/declawing a male cat change his personality?

[GNICETRY]

My wife got a cat for her birthday (I know, please don't start with the cat thread). Do these things alter his personality in any way? Less energetic, more standoffish, etc???

 

[Pat Adkins]

Once you take their claws out they sometimes become biters because its their only self defense. If you get them a scratching post and make them use it they won't tear up your furniture.I have 2 large cats and they don't scratch the furniture. My wife also worked at a vet. for 6 years and said its awful how they remove the claws.

 

[John Larkin]

Mine got more agile. Now that they don't have the added grip, they learned to jump higher and grab things with their paws instead of snaring them. They can grab a string and hold on pretty darn tight. As for personality, I haven't seen a difference but we had them done young so they probably don't remember having them. They still "sharpen" them on the couch, etc and I just sit back and smile knowing the damage has been reduced. Don't let them outdoors; they are basically defenseless against other predators.

 

[turbojimmy]

They say the neutering makes 'em fat. Less aggressive. When we had our cat neutered, he was still the rotten bastard he was before we had him "fixed". No change in personality as far as I could tell. He died of a bone marrow disease. I'm not a cat person but I liked him because he didn't put up with my crap, nor did I put up with his. We had this love/hate thing going on. His ashes are on the mantle. I wanted to have him stuffed in some really fierce pose, but the wife wouldn't have it.

But I digress......

Our current cat was recently declawed. She became a biter. It's a natural reaction to their realization that they no longer have their front claws for defense. She only bites when she's cornered by the dog or my son. Both the dog and my son have learned to stay away from the cat - and they both still have their eyeballs. If the cat still had her claws I think I'd have a one-eyed dog or son. And my furniture is in much better shape than it would have been had we not had her declawed.

The recovery is tough for the cat. Critics say that the declawing is inhumane - like having the tips of your fingers removed down to the first knuckle. I'm not sure about that, but the cat was pretty PO'd about it for a couple of weeks. She's totally fine now - no personality change (except for the biting).

Jim

 

[qwknuf6]

Try Claw Caps ,they work great , they are plastic caps that you glue on ,no kidding .Work great ,cat will still scatch but the claws will not dig in or damage anything .

Cuting a tomcats nuts will make him a nicer kitty
Mark

 

[Quick6'n'-K.C.]

my last 2 male cats were neutered when they were young, and never declawed-

all the furniture in the house still looks new, the carpet doesnt stink, and they never crapped on the floor-

let the cats outside when they want, let them in when they want, and at night pet them till you fall asleep-


i never could teach them to stay off the cars

one day i found my tabby cat sleeping in the back seat of my TTA- i didnt do anything cause i figured i would do more damage by waking him up and scaring him

 

[metal-box]

My male cat is still a pesky guy, yet still very affectionate. He gained some weight, but still ikes to play a lot. I don't think de-clawing and de-balling changed him much.

 

[GN One Day...]

We had a male and female. Had both fixed when they started spraying--that was the main reason. They were both strictly inside cats. Leash laws don't just apply to dogs, IMO. They were both extremely happy animals. We kept a good rope (not carpet) scratch post, and they used that. Didn't want them trained to scratch on carpet. Rope, to them, was preferable, so they just used it. No problems with scratching furniture. They both got fatter and more relaxed after "the fix". Didn't seem to bother them at all. Still hunted bugs that got in the house or whatever. Didn't change their personalities, just seemed to be more relaxed. Otherwise, we learned, their behaviour is very much influenced by those hormones. They seemed to stay as "themselves" all the time. I've never been a cat person, but these were very good pets. Even better than the dog. They knew how to be around, but stay out of the way, and knew just when was right to come around. They both died of kidney problems last year. Doubt we'll get any more, these seemed too much better than my regular opinion of cats.

 

[WFO]

i had my cat fixed as soon as he was old enough.never sprayed or crapped on anything.

i'd never have him declawed,his claws are part of his personality.he has opposable thumbs(6 toe) and this massive extra claw that clicks on the linoleum.the only things he ever scratches are his scratching post and the root of the tree that sticks out of the ground in the front yard.

my opinion on indoor cats:cat sh!t is gross.cats know this,that's why they go outside and bury it in the barkmulch.

another thing:if you like your cat feed him good food.my cat has only eaten science diet since day one.he's happy and healthy and he weighs 25 friggin pounds!

later,sean

 

[dhauser]

I found my male cat after he was already neutered. He is the biggest sissy girl wuss lover cat in the world. I cannot piss him off, no matter how hard I try.