why is it cruel to have your cat declawed????

Answer 1

Removing a cat's claws is like depriving cat owners of their fingernails. Declawing destroys the animal's ability to groom, climb, defend itself against rivals, and protect itself from enemies.

Answer 2

Declawing is not just cutting the claw. It involves amputating the digit at the first joint (knuckle). Imagine having each of your fingers and toes amputated, then being sent home with no pain medication.
It is extremely cruel, and unnecessary. There are better ways to keep a cat from clawing furniture, like scratching posts or scratch pads, or a product called "Soft Paws" (little blunt caps that are put on each claw, so they won't penetrate fabric, etc.)
If you want to spend money on an operation for your cat, please have the cat spayed or neutered. There are way too many unwanted cats and kittens in the world, and the number that are euthanized each year is horrific.

Answer 3

As others have said in response to this question, it is like cutting off the tips of your fingers, from the last knuckle on. It is important in manuvering and functioning. By declawing, you are amputating a part of them. I understand that scratching can be a problem, however there are many options available, including scratching posts, sprays for furniture (you're cat will not like the smell and be less likely to scratch) and just taking take to train you cat. Additionally, you can trim your cats nails, the front ones (the ones they most always scratch with) can be done about once a month. You can find nail trimmers for cats anywhere including the grocery store.

Answer 4

It is really cruel to have your cat declawed, it is esentially like having your fingernails removed, they help to protect your fingers. My first cat was declawed and her toes bothered her for her entire life, there's also the risk of infection, the price and watching your poor cat in pain. When I adopted my last two cats, the NAFA agency made us sign papers saying that we wouldn't declaw our cats or we they wouldn't let us take them home. They even checked up on them a few months later to make sure they still had their nails, don't do it! As long as you provide your cat with a good sisal scratching post from the day you bring it home, there should be no reason that your cat would scratch your furniture.

Answer 5

DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT!!!!!!!! ANYONE WHO SAYS OTHERWISE IS EITHER DUMB, CRUEL OR TRYING TO MAKE MONEY (a bad vet).
Declawing your cat is not like cutting off your finger nails, it's like cutting off your fingers from the middle knuckle. Not only is that extremely painful, but declawing can also lead to arthritis in the feet and spine. Cats need the ability to grip on to something to realign their spines. Why would you ever tamper with that?
If you are having problems with your cat scratching, either cut your cats nails yourself (you can buy the special little clippers at any pet store but make sure you have someone show you how to do it if you haven't before) or take them to a groomer and have them do it. They will still claw but not as much and it wont cause as much (if any) damage. You'll always know when they need re-clipping because they will begin clawing more frequently.

Answer 6

Declawing is quite a bit different than just cutting your cats nails. It's removing the first joint of their knuckles. In fact, declawing is ILLEGAL in the following countries
England
Scotland
Wales
Italy
France
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Norway
Sweden
Netherlands
Northern Ireland
Ireland
Denmark
Finland
Slovenia
Portugal
Belgium
Brazil
Australia
New Zealand
Yugoslavia
Japan

http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/declawpics/

No fun at all.

Answer 7

Even indoor cats can get out and they have no way to defend themselves. That and the fact that when they r declawed they actually cut the claw at the knuckle. And a bad vet can do lots of damage.

Answer 8

Put yourself in their position...... You are being taken against your will to a place that always makes you feel scared and nervous... then all of a sudden you are given a shot, only to wake up a while later with this terrible groggy feeling going through your body, and your toes are numb, yet throbbing...... You cant walk with out pain... Later, your mom unwraps your toes to find the whole tip of your toes have been removed down to the first joint,,,,,

I mean, geez, God forbid you as a pet owner doesnt have toys, or cat scratchers around to keep the kitty occupied... Or a little stern "NO" to teach them the difference between right & wrong...

OK, any more questions on the cruelty of declawing??

Answer 9

I helped declaw my cat when I worked in a vet clinic....yes it is a gruesome "surgery" and it requires a lot of recovery. However, I have seen no ill-effects on my cat at all and she is 4 years old now. She still acts like she has claws, "scratching" at furniture and carpet. I think you just have to decide how important your furniture is to you and if you want your cat to always be indoors.
No regrets here.

Answer 10

Yes, it is. I used to work in a vet's office, and they basically cut off the top of the cats fingers, pull out the claw and glue them back together with this sticky purple stuff. Afterwards, the poor animal has to wear these cluncky casts on its legs for three days to a week, and it will forever have itchy paws.

If scratching is a problem, then they have rubber nails in pet stores that snap on over the claw and look really nice. They come in all different colors!