Whats your opinion on declawing cats?

Question

i really think its cruel because the catonly has two defence mehanisms: is teeth (to bite) and is claws. And to top that off, cats only bite when all else fails so they usualy really rely on their claws. I have also heard that after operation, some cats are litteraly bouncing of the walls because it hurts so much (it the equivalent of amputating us to the furst joints of our fingers).

Answer 1

I don't believe in declawing. Seeing it done to too many cats, and seeing how defenseless they become.

Some of you mention they don't need their claws if living inside. Well, then you obviously have never seen a cat meet another pet it doesn't want near it's face. I have 4 cats, none declawed. When they are playing, and things get a little out of hand, they will swat each other. If things get really rough, then the claws come out and the fight ends there.

I also dog sat for one day, a dog that litterally tried to eat the cats. If they had no claws, then they would have been seriously injured.

Cats also use their claws when stretching their muscles, climbing, and playing. What gives me the right to take their emotional and physical well-being away from them.

For those who think it's ok because you will have them their whole lives, and they will never go outside. What happens if something bad happens? If you die and the cats are given away, if the door is left a bit open and they slip outside, if your neighbor decides to borrow a cup of sugar and the cat gets scared and bolts out the door, etc? What if some kid is harassing them, and the only way to get away is a swat or small scratch? What if you have pals over, and they bring their dog, and the dog grabs the cats and tries to play with it or kill it. The cat will scratch the dog in defence - if yuo declaw her, she can't help herself. Really, thinking you can shelter your cat from every bad thing out there is not logical.

My cat, Bo, once fell out of a second story window - took off into the bush with 4 large dogs chasing her. She ran up a tree, and was safe from the dogs. Took me several minutes to get her down, but at least she was safe. That was her first time outdoors. Had she been declawed, I hate to think what might have been.

TDK

Answer 2

I artwork in a veterinary sanatorium and human beings would desire to be knowledgeable so I make an apology ahead if it rather is image. Declawing is an AMPUTATION of the cats feet as much as the 1st knuckle. it rather is definitely very painful and a bloody surgical treatment. We needless to say decrease bleeding the terrific we are able to. Following the amputation, we positioned stress bandages around the paws that stay on over night and would get rid of those off their already sore paws the subsequent morning. in my opinion, I hate that human beings declaw their cats yet alot of folk do no longer understand the technique. frequently we deliver abode antibiotics and soreness medicine. you need to use shredded newspaper following the technique for 10-14 days to circumvent extra soreness and an infection. Your chum is very incorrect. there are thoughts to the rather declaw. it rather is beneficial to analyze tendonectomy which expenses comparable to a declaw yet no longer so painful or take different measures to circumvent issues from clawing. you could trim your cats claws each and each month or use a product called comfortable paws. in basic terms had to grant you the data and a few options. each and every so often declawed cats exchange into biters too. desire this facilitates and sturdy luck.

Answer 3

I have had three cats declawed over the years.
The first guy - tuff stuff - handled it just fine. It was done when he was a kitten. The second guy - scratch - had his done when he was 5 - 6 weeks old. Reasoning on this one.. he clawed at everything, until there was literally nothing left! He handled the declawing wonderfully! Nothing over the years seemed to bother his paws.. the third - kidders - she was 1 or 2 years old when I adopted her from the local shelter.. I had her declawed.. I swear, I will never do that to another cat for as long as I live. I believe she was too old to have had this done.. and how I regret it! If I had to do it again, it would be when they were very young kittens!! never again as an adult or older kitten.. never.. Even thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.. The vet is very good.. but I honestly shouldn't have done this to kidders.. I wish I could undo it.. :(

Answer 4

declawing is actually illegal in some contries beacsue it is inhumane and some vets will not even do it. You can clip thier nails but not too far and that will help a lot . they also sell these plastic coatings that glue on the cats nails so they cant damage your furniture but still have their claws. i am against declawing because it really is like cutting off part of their finger. its like the first knuckle. there is another method where they cut a tendent so they cannot retract or exstend their claws it just stays were it is BUT because of that you will forever have to trim them or the will grow into the cats foot since they cannot do it themsleves like they normal would.

Answer 5

This is true. I am STRONGLY against declawing. It is a major operation that only serves one purpose-to be convenient to the owner. The ONLY reason that I would allow my animal to recieve any kind of operation was if it would benefit from it. For instance, I spay and neuter every cat and dog that comes into my home. This prevent uterine and testicular cancer later on. It is also cruel to care more about your furniture than you do your cat. If you can`t stand to have your precious stuff ripped up, than perhaps you shouldnt own a cat ; )


Here are pictures from an actual declaw surgery. Look at these pictures and tell me you still believe that declawing is humane.
http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/declawpics/

Answer 6

I don't think it's cruel at all. It's better that the cat have a good home and live indoors than to have claws. We declaw cats routinely, and the pain medications that are available now make the procedure much more comfortable. I've never seen a problem with mine or any one elses cats in 20 years. They accept it and go on with life.

Answer 7

I had never owned a de-clawed cat before I got my current pet-a Maine **** cat. He was 4 years old when I got him and only his front claws are removed. I always thought it was inhumane but, over the years, I had put up with clawed furniture and ruined clothing from my cats that had their claws. I was embarassed to have guests see my couch and chairs. I should add that all my cats were always indoor/outdoor cats. This cat is an indoor only kitty and he doesn't seem to mind the loss of his front claws-funny thing though-after I brush him-he is long-haired-he digs at the rug just like my other cats used to but-no damage.

Answer 8

If it is an indoor cat, why would it need to defend itself? Declawed cats do not bounce off the walls. I have had several cats declawed, they day they came home, they were acting like themselves. It is not the equivalent of amputating our fingers. They do not have fingers, they have claws. Get it straight. And beside that, has anyone ever gotten kneaded by a declawed cat? You'll be in heaven in no time! My cats are declawed and they do not bite, they are not lazy at all.

Answer 9

I never believed in it until the cat I have now (I found her in a parking lot) began destroying things in our house simply by running wildly thru the house and across the furniture. She also got into the habit of waking us up by sticking her claws into the bottoms of our feet at the foot of the bed playing some kind of "game" at night. It was not funny at all, it was very painful. I spoke to the veterinarian about it and decided to go ahead and do it to save the relationship with the pet. The other alternative was to give her away, which I do not believe in - I think once you bring a pet into your home, it is your responsiblity to care for it properly and not just give it away when there are issues. I did not regret it and she is fine. A declawed cat should not be allowed out of the house either and our cat is never allowed to go outside.

***PS - I am not evil. I am one of the most responsible pet owners that I have ever met in my life. I have never given away a pet. I have had a dog and a cat that each lived into their early 20's due to being on top of their health needs at every point in their life. I also have several close friends in rescue and they would vouch for me in a second!

Answer 10

Before you declaw your cat ask your vet if they will allow you to observe a surgery on another cat that the owner has opted to declaw. Then tell me if you want to do that to your precious pet. My cat is declaw on all four legs because she was that way we I adopted her but just imagining the pain she went through for no reason makes me feel horrible. I love my pet more than anything and dont think she needs to be hurt or put in pain for my convenience.