Do you think it is inhumane to have a cat's declawed???

Question

My fiance wants to get a kitten but I'm afraid he'll scratch up our young son. I mentioned getting it declawed and he lost his mind. I could see if we let the cat go outside it would need them, but he'll be indoors. What should i do??

Answer 1

Yes, it is very inhumane.

De-clawing a cat is a serious operation. They actually remove the last bone of your cat's claw when they do it. In other words, they are amputating the last joint of your cat's toes. Recuperation is very hard on the animal.

I understand you intend for your kitten to be an indoor animal but what happens if she gets out one day? Without her claws she will be unable to defend herself or escape up a tree.

You can try trimming your kittens front claws. If you're not comfortable doing it, you can take her to someplace like Petsmart. They'll do it for pretty cheap.

Answer 2

It's not inhumane to have cats declawed. That's much better than having it euthanized merely because it acts like a cat. They do just fine without their claws. Both my cats are declawed and they're perfectly normal.
If your fiance really wants a cat, you can always get one and see how it does BEFORE having it declawed. It may not scratch up anything. It's a good idea to privide a scratching post to give it an alternative to your furniture.
Also, if the cat should go outside, they can defend themselves just fine without the front claws. They fight primarily with the back claws.
Before doing anything, you should purchase a book on cat ownership or find one at the local library. You could also contact a veterinarian, they or their staff should be able to answer some or all of your questions and relieve any fears you may have.

Answer 3

I think this is a decision your husband and you will need to reach on your own. I personally could NEVER have a cat declawed. Cats claws are their primary form of defense, and even if you don't plan on the cat being outside circumstances can change or the cat can turn into an escape artist.

I have 3 indoor cats-- one of which is declawed. The ONLY reason is because I adopted her from someone who had to get rid of her -- he had her declawed. I honestly wish I could have her reclawed -- she's getting old now and the dogs and the other two cats like to torture her. She can swipe at them all day long, but without her claws she's fighting a losing battle.

Kittens will scratch children -- I was raised with clawed cats and had many cats scratches throughout my childhood. Occasionally my cats will still get me. I love cats though and for me an occasional scratch is a small price to pay.

Answer 4

It IS cruel to declaw them, but there are certain conditions that would be best if it was declawed. I do think that you should wait and see IF it's even gonna be a problem or not. Supply the kitten with a scratching post or two, and don't let the kid HURT the cat, and I think you would probably be ok.

PS...If you DO go with the declawing, use a vet that does it with laser. It's no more expensive, and it's a LOT better and easier on the cat than surgically doing it. My vet recommends that way.

We have 12 cats.....5 are declawed, the others learned to not be a problem. They all live inside, but can go outside if they choose, and none have ever had a problem. We don't have dogs nearby, though.

Answer 5

I have two cats who both had their front paws declawed. I swore I would never declaw my cat, but they would not use the scratching posts, they preferred the door, the carpet, the couch, mattresses, and what not. My cats are strictly indoor cats, and yes they have slipped out the door, but immediately turn around and come right back in. Both cats surgeries went very well, I had many conversations with my vet before deciding to do it. They both recovered very well .They were both fixed at the same time as being declawed. And I beleive everyone has a right to their own opinion, but I think having your pet spayed or nutered is painful, but no one says anything about that. What about ppl who have their dogs tails docked off, or their dewclaws removed, or their ears surgically done so they will stand up. At least declawing isn't done for looks. Thats only my opinion.

Answer 6

IF and that is IF the kitten is going to be inside all the time I see nothing wrong with haveing it declawed. It is going to be around your young son and will scratch him at some point. But if you chose not to get it declawed it can be taught not to scratch. And not all cats use their claws right off. The best thing here is to do what ever BOTH of you decide on. Either way the cat will be fine

Answer 7

I think declawing should be the last resort. Most cats can be trained not to hurt children and to use a scratching post. They usually learn pretty quickly.
BUT, I think that if the choice is between getting rid of the cat or declawing, then declawing is the choice to make.
It really is no big deal. With today's drugs (painkillers), and the high level of veterinary care, cats bounce right back and do just fine. They live long happy lives. People will mention Arthritis, but I'm sorry, old cats get arthritis, even ones with claws. And people do just fine with out fingertips. Plenty of folks have survived accidental finger amputations and go on to have great lives.

Answer 8

It is NOT inhumane! All 3 of mine are. We were battling with them constantly about scratching up furniture, door jambs, etc. When we bought a new house and realized how many door jambs we were replacing in the old house to sell it, I had them declawed. Hubby's sister threw a fit and told me it was inhumane. I didn't note that they were THAT bothered by it at all. I believe that the cats felt that the most annoying part was the stitches afterward. This was less than a year ago, and they all still TRY to sharpen their non-existant claws on wood. If they were bothered and suffering, would they try that? No!

And by the way, I have known people that have had to have a toenail removed. THAT is the same -- not an entire finger! Geesh! I looked very carefully at my cat's paws afterward. They are NOT missing entire tows. Their paws look exactly the same, except when you push them, the claws don't pop out.

I highly recommend it. There is a greater peace in our house since we're not yelling at them to stop sharpening their claws all the time.

Answer 9

Yes, I do. Declawed cats frequently become biters. A cat bite can be dangerous, a scratch is not.

A young kitten is not neurologically mature enough to control the extension and retraction of its claws so you must trim the nails frequently to prevent scratching.

If you have a child under four it would be much better for you to get a young cat - one or two years old. Then the cat can jump out of a youngster's way if the child is annoying it.

With a young child you really don't need the hassle of training a kitten not to scratch and bite and a young cat will be more subdued and available for soft petting and purring.

Answer 10

It is a little cruel. They don't just remove their claws, they remove down to the first knuckle (look down at your hands to realize what that would do to you). However, cats can be very destructive with them.

Here's my advice: Get the cat, get it plenty of things to scratch its claws on (scratching post, etc..) because it's natural for them to do that. Train it not to scratch people, and teach your son not to torment it so it won't want to scratch him (all kittens scratch at first when they are learning to play...be patient). It may learn well enough that you won't need to have it declawed. If it is in need of declawing (and it truly is an inside only cat), then your husband will probably agree at that point. Discuss this deal with him first. So basically, get the cat, teach it to live with claws, if after a year or so it's too destructive, get it declawed.

Answer 11

Unfortunately a kitten probably will scratch up something you don't want it to -including your son. I have raised several kittens and had them all declawed, but there is no arguing with someone who is against it. They will say things like" would you want the tips of your fingers cut off?" I would suggest not getting a kitten if you can't come to terms. My best Friend is a huge animal rights supporter. She had 6 cats at one time. They destroyed a lot of things. After they all died, she got a new kitten and promptly had him declawed!