Clawing, Spading, and the Great Outdoors

Question
I got the kitten a year ago when she was 5 weeks old.  He has been indoors all her life (except the 2 times she got out this past winter).  She sits in the open window and slams her body against the screen.  She has successfully punched out 2 screens that I have had to replace.  She wants to be a killing machine.

We want to get her declawed, and we also want to get her fixed.  

1) Would it be inhumane to declaw her -- we want her to be a strictly indoor cat, but she keeps attempting to get outside to kill the birds, rabbits, squirrels, bugs, etc.?
2) Will the vet declaw and fix her in the same visit?
3) If we let her go outside when she's not in heat, can she get pregnant?

Answer
Connie,

I read your comments and would suggest trying catnip spray (available from most pet supermarkets) on the scratching post.  Another option you might want to check out is a product called Soft Paws.

BTW, I have never seen a cat repellent spray that really worked.

However, I would rather see a cat declawed than on the streets, if all other options have been exhausted.

Connie,

By all means have her fixed!!!!!

To answer your questions:

(1)  Yes, in my opinion, declawing is inhumane. Sometimes these cats turn into biters.  Unless the surgery is done with a laser scalpel, recovery time is a longer and more painful affair than most of us would want to go through.  Read up on how the surgery is done and decide if you would want that done to your fingers.

(2)  Most vets will both spay and declaw at the same time as it prevents a needless surgery under full anaesthetic.

(3)  How do you know she is not in heat?  Most people can tell when a cat is in roaring season, but not when she is just coming in or going out, at which times she would still accept a male and become pregnant.  Spaying is the surest way to prevent pregnancy in a female cat.

As to the screens, have you investigated getting heavier duty screens for the windows she likes to "punch" out?  If she is declawed and gets out, she will be absolutely defenseless in the great outdoors.

Best regards... Norm.