My ex bf has one of our cats...he is 4 (the cat) and now he wants to declaw him. Please help me provide reasons as to why this is cruel and inhumane!
2006-10-06 20:25:47 · 25 answers · asked by Stephanie R 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
My ex bf has one of our cats...he is 4 (the cat) and now he wants to declaw him. He says the reason he wants to declaw him is bc he climbs the fence. I say keep him indoors...or give him back to me. Please help me provide reasons as to why it is cruel and inhumane to declaw him this late. TYVM
2006-10-06 20:42:17 · update #1
:( your making me sad...don't do that. Please don 't do that.
2006-10-06 20:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Show him pictures of a declaw surgery! I'll put a few links under the "sources" area.
Also, ask him if you could cut off the tips of his fingers and his toes. I'm sure he'll be quick to answer "OUCH! NO!!" Then explain to him that declawing is a surgical procedure that REMOVES the first digit of a cat's toe. Most cats will have prolonged pain in their front feet, and this pain can cause them to NOT use the litter box. Declawing is unnatural and unnecessary. People that declaw their cats are lazy and don't want to clip their claws or provide safer alternatives for the cat(s) to scratch.
Notes:
-Declawing is ILLEGAL in many counties because they have gotten it through their heads that this is a form of maiming an animal.
-A 1994 study of declawing by the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine found that out of 163 cats that were declawed, 50% had one or more complications immediately after surgery including pain, hemorrhage (excessive bleeding), swelling, and non weight-bearing. Of the 121 cats whose progress was monitored after surgery, 20% had ongoing complications such as infection, claw regrowth, bone protrusion into the pad of the paw, prolonged intermittant lameness, palmagrade stance (abnormal standing posture), and joint problems such as arthritis.
2006-10-07 03:58:13 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Do an online search on this one. Many breeders and adoption centers make people sign a contract that says they will take excellent care of their cat in all ways, including not having them declawed. Getting declawed can genuinely lower a cat's self-esteem and feeling of being able to take care of him/herself, especially if the cat is already four. A cat that goes outside will also genuinely be much more in danger without claws as it can't climb up trees or fences to get away from dogs, coyotes, and other threats. We had an old cat years ago who was declawed as a kitten and one of the nail beds wasn't removed properly (the vet can't always tell it seems) so her remaining claw kept growing up through the top of her paw very painfully. It's really considered kindest to let a cat be, and if your ex won't take this into account, maybe he shouldn't have the cat. If the cat is destroying stuff, they do make cat claw covers that won't allow the cat to scratch (I've never tried them and don't know how helpful they are). The vet can put them on, and they sell them at places like drsfostersmith.com.
2006-10-07 03:36:59 · answer #3 · answered by juniperflux32 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
YES. Extremely cruel. Can cause infection, blood clots, the anaesthetic can be lethal. A lot of vets won't even do it now, it's so inhumane. My one rescued cat had a botched declawing and lost seven of his toes. They need their claws for self defense.
If the Ex is concerned about his stupid furniture, have him look into claw sheathing, where a plastic sheath is placed over the nail, or have him take the kitty to a vet or groomer where they will trim it's nails for about $2.50 per paw. That's what I charge - I'm a groomer in Ontario, Canada and I love cats so much I weep when I see a botched declawing job, with infection, gangrene, nerve damage.
Rescue yr cat B4 it's too late!
2006-10-07 03:32:45 · answer #4 · answered by Samlet 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't like declawing. It makes the cat defenseless, and that makes him neurotic. The main reason people declaw cats is to save their furniture, but the fact is, you can put up a scratching post and train a cat to use it by putting catnip inside it, or rubbing catnip oil on it. He'll get the idea if, as soon as you see him start to scratch something else, you pick him up and put him on the post.
If you do declaw a cat, then keep him indoors where he will not have to defend himself, and don't get other cats that have claws. I lived in an apartment where I had two cats who were not declawed, and my roommate had two older cats who were declawed, and my cats intimidated the older ones so much they wouldn't go near the litter box. You can imagine what a mess that made!
2006-10-07 03:32:56 · answer #5 · answered by auntb93again 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I have had 2 cats declawed. The fist one was a male cat and I tried to keep him inside but it was imposable. He would run out everytime the door opened. I have had to "save" him from other cats too. I also had my last cat declawd. I didn't want to after my last experience but I was living with my grandma and she kept on complaining about her furniture so I had it done. That cat was a female and deaf. So two defenses gone. That cat wasn't as eager to be outside but she still got out sometimes. It is hard IMO to keep a cat indoors all the time. I wouldn't recommend declawing.
2006-10-07 08:44:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
ABSOLUTELY!!! At NO TIME is proper to declaw a cat. I urge you both to go to this website - ask your vet if I am lying!
Another reason why not to is if your cat gets out and they will eventually - he cannit defend himself out there - other cats and animals will pick up on the fact that he is defenseless and attack! Please convince him to give him up if he is seriously going to declaw.
Well, if the EX were to get the operation, it would be done like this...
Contrary to most people's understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws, but the whole phalanx (up to the joint), including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated. Thus declawing is not a “simple”, single surgery but 10 separate, painful amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint of each finger.
http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm
A humane alternative to declawing Claw Caps:
What are Soft Claws?
Developed by a veterinarian, Soft Claws are vinyl nail caps that glue on to your cat's claws. It covers the claw tips so no damage occurs when your cat scratches. Each package of Soft Claws contains 40 nail caps, 2 tubes of adhesive, applicator tips and easy to follow instructions. One package contains enough nail caps for 4 applications on Kitty's front paws. Each application lasts approximately 4-6 weeks so one package lasts about 4-6 months.
http://www.softclaws.com/
The following is a partial list of countries in which declawing cats is either illegal or considered extremely inhumane and only performed under extreme medical circumstances:
England - Scotland - Wales - Northern Ireland - Germany - Austria - Switzerland - Norway - Sweden - Netherlands - Denmark - Finland - Brazil - Australia - New Zealand
Sites on declawing:
http://www.catscratching.com/
http://www.de-clawing.com/
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
I would to GOD wish that it was illegal in ALL countries!
2006-10-07 03:43:05 · answer #7 · answered by midnightlydy 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Declawing is barbaric. It is the same as cutting your finger off at the first knuckle, it's very painful and stressful to the cat. I worked for a vet for many years and the aftercare is tricky, infection is common unless the owner stays right on top of the bandages. The vet I worked for wouldn't do it unless it meant a cat going homeless or worse, and then he and all of us hated it. A pair of nail clippers and a patient and steady hand clipping claws is the best resource.
2006-10-07 03:31:43 · answer #8 · answered by missmoon_1953 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
first of all if he declaws him and keeps him outside he has absolutely no defenses...this alone is cruel but yes the actual procedure is quite cruel they totally remove the nail and the last knuckle of the claw very painful tell him to give the cat back to you
2006-10-07 04:22:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
YESSS! It is VERY cruel...so much so that MANY vets refuse to do the procedure. It is a VERY painful procedure for the cat. Tell yr bf it is like pulling out his nails with a pair of plyers...how'd he feel abt THAT?
I hope you'd take your cat back......SAVE YOUR CAT now dear.....
You may want to search on 'declawing cats' for a more scientific answer...... :-)
One thing's for sure.....IT IS INHUMANE!
2006-10-07 03:48:37 · answer #10 · answered by Luvoceanz 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
YES! It is cruel to declaw a cat of any age. How would you like to have your fingers cut off at the 1st nuckle?
2006-10-07 03:33:06 · answer #11 · answered by MeNTeddy 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋