Should cats be declawed?

Question

I really want to know other peoples opinions...

PLEASE LET ME SAY THAT I THINK IT'S HORRABLY WRONG!!! Don't attac me. I just really want to know other people's opinions.

And by the way, I know all about what declawing is... I just want people's personal opinions...

Answer 1

No. Basically the declawing process is chopping off the outermost knuckle on each "finger." It can lead to many problems later in life due to the sensitiveness of the paws. Many stop using litter boxes because it hurts too much to dig in the litter. A lot of cats that are declawed also turn into "biters."

If you have to declaw, make sure you only get the front ones removed.

Answer 2

I'm a veterinary technician & the general thinking on this these days is that if you can avoid it DO SO. It is a mutilation. The last digit of the toes is cut off -not just the nail. Sometimes cats experience pain forever more, just as some amputees do. (In fact, that is what they are, an amputee.) Almost always declawed cats become biters. Also, in many cases in which cats that are in their teens or olders (not kittens) are declawed it adversely affects their disposition & personality.
Also, since you never know what the future may bring, you can not garauntee 100% that your kitty willl be with YOU for it's entire life; you could die, it could be stolen or lost, etc. And if it ended up being an outdoor kitty or an I/O kitty (indoor/outdoor) or if it is put among other animals it has absolutely no way to escape (by climbing) or to protect itself if the need arises.
For the most part, a reputable & responsible vet would strongly urge you to NOT declaw your cat. This procedure is rightfully avoided except in cases where only after exhausting every other option the cat remains a constant destroyer of furniture, etc and the next option for the owner is to have it put down... this is the only time that declawing is acceptable.
And remember, EVERY declawed cat MUST be 100% an indoor cat ONLY.

Answer 3

I can't say yes or no on this one, but I will say this...my best friend had a cat that was declawed (on all four paws) for many years and I never once seen any negative issues that the so-called experts said would happen when a cat is declawed. I believe he was declawed as a kitten...can't say for sure, however in the ten years I was around that cat, never once was he aggressive, a biter (he nibbles, but my kitten does that and it's not declawed), he could still jump and climb as good as any cat with claws, in fact without claws...his paw strength got stronger to compensate for it.

Basically her declawed cat was just as well adjusted as any cat that had claws. I think people want to put the worse fear into others to prevent them from doing something they see as morally wrong. I'm not a vet so I'm not going to tell people one way or another...this is just from my own first hand experience.

If you're going to declaw, get the facts, the real facts first. Talk to people who actually had this procedure done to their cats and ask them how their cats behaved or reacted afterward. Don't depend on just the advice of vets and tree huggers because they are almost always going to say no. Get information from both sides of the debate then make an informed decision that's best for you and your cat/kitten.

Answer 4

If a person takes on the responsibilty of owning a cat then that individual has presumably considered the various issues surrounding the ownership of a feline pet. Hence they are surely aware that cats have things called claws! These devices are a cat's natural defence mechanism, a major aid to climbing/descending and a help in grooming. If a person is so bothered about their furniture, etc., then there is a simple answer... do not get a cat! The issue of declawing will not then arise, and thus the babaric act (banned or highly discouraged in more enlightened countries) will not be perpetrated, and the cat will be saved from the frequently adverse medical and psychological effects. [It's quite heartening to see from the answers on this page, that the majority of people disagree with this unnecessary surgery.]

Answer 5

In my opinion there is NO GOOD REASON to declaw a cat EVER.

It's cruel and inhumane.
I would never take one of my human children to the Doctor and request that they amputate the first knuckle on all of their fingers and I would never take my fur children to the Vet and ask that they amputated the first knuckle on their fingers either.

Cats that are declawed go through a horrible, painful operation just because the human didn't bother to buy and teach the cat to use a scratching post.
Some cats stop using a litter box after they are declawed because scratching the litter is to painful for them.
Some resort to biting,,,what are they supposed to do, they have no other way to defend themselves.
Then the human decides the cat is mean and has it put to sleep, when in reality the cat is not mean at all and the cat would have never started biting if the human had left the cats claws where they belong...ON THE CAT.

The best line I've ever heard when it comes to declawing a cat was made by my Vet.
He DOES NOT declaw cats.
A Woman came in and wanted to have her cat declawed because she didn't have time to teach it how to use a scratching post and he had clawed her couch.
The Vet looked at her and said...."If you don't have the time and you don't want an animal that claws then get a hamster."

Answer 6

Interesting question. I used to think yes, always, but since I've seen it done, I'm leaning towards no. There are several factors to be taken into account when declawing. My cats were always declawed but that's because there were always kids in the house and my parents didn't want to take a chance. If cats are declawed, only the fronts should be done. Some people will argue that a cat needs its claws outside. These people are stupid. Cats should NEVER be outside except if it's been harness trained and it's on a leash.

Answer 7

First, lets think about why we would want to declaw them, then think about how much u really love your cat. Personally, I believe its totally selfish on the owners part. You love your cat, but you love your furniture more. There are ways to deterre your cat from clawing furniture, declawing isn't the answer.
Not to mention how painful it is afterwards for them, if you're cat ever got outside accidentally, they would have no means of protecting themselves against another animal. And even if you have an indoor cat, there is always the possibility of them escaping (unless you're in an apartment building)
Why not try trimming your kitty's nails every 6 weeks, and investing in a multi level cat scratcher. I have 4 cats, and none of them are declawed, and I have beautiful furniture, it just requires some patience and the right tools. Can you imagine how it would feel to have your fingernails and toenails all removed and then being expected to walk on them? Ouch!!

Answer 8

In the majority of cases, no. More and more veterinarians are advising against it - some even refuse to perform the operation. Even many breeders of purebred cats will require new owners sign a document promising they will not declaw the cat after purchase. Scratching is an instinctual, natural behavior for cats. There are many humane, effective alternatives to declawing. I don't believe any piece of furniture is worth a cat's health and happiness, and declawing can have serious physical, as well as psychological, impacts on a cat's life.

Answer 9

I have had two of my cats declawed for various reasons, They both had it done by laser my vet kept them on pain medications over night and when i took them home they played and jumped like nothing ever happened. It has been a few years and they have no problems with there feet in fact they still try to scratch on the walls and chairs as if they have claws. I belive if they are declawed young enough it does not effect them as much. I am for it.

Answer 10

Well we have 4 cats only one of them has been declawed. The only one that has been declawed is the one that we found abandoned on the street. She's a total sweetheart too.

Answer 11

I think it's wrong because if the cat ever gets outside accidentally, it can't defend itself from predators. Also, if you know what declawing is about, I agree that it is horribly cruel, as it removes some of the bone in the cat's paws.

Spray water bottles work well enough to deter cats from mischevious behavior.