Hi, I’m about to get my first cat. There’s a couple lovable cats I’m seeing at the shelter that are declawed... do you think that would be a challenge for a first cat?
I love to phrase declawed cats as special-need cats, because they are! Just like if you brought home ANY special needs cat, I think as long as you know that your situation is going to be a little bit different, it's a good option! Declawed cats often experience a lot of inter-cat aggression due to their inability to defend themselves in social situations, so if you currently do not have a resident cat? Well a declawed cat might actually be a great fit for your home - and it can provide a great home for a cat who otherwise may not find one! Now that being said, this obviously comes with issues. With any special needs animal, you should always assume that your veterinary costs are going to be higher. You're going to need a reliable team to help you with your new friend, and those with additional needs may need more than your average one or two vet visits a year setup. There are obviously more than a few different issues that can arise with declawed cats as they age too (spraying/marking, biting, litter box avoidance, arthritis, among many others), but if you go into it with the mindset that you very well MAY have serious issues in these areas, if not now, then possibly further down the line, I think adopting an already declawed cat is totally doable! I really think it's all about setting the expectation! If your mindset is accepting of a declawed cat as a special needs animal, and know that you'll have to tackle many common issues creatively, it's absolutely a rewarding experience. And, if it's your first cat? You've never had another to compare it to. Cats don't usually use pee pads and easy-enter boxes? Well maybe yours does! Who's to say what's "usual" when it's your first and only, right? So tl;dr - I think ANYONE in a situation who can adopt a special needs animal should DEFINITELY consider it, whether it's your first animal of that kind or not. As long as you do ample research and have a way to MEET the animal's needs! There are a ton of amazing animals who would be stellar single-pets due to their needs, and a lot of first-time pet owners have an opportunity to provide amazing homes these animals wouldn't normally get.
