why is it ok to declaw a dog but cruel to declaw a cat??

Question

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AohnXmFaRuZ3Oh.ncowRntwSBgx.?qid=20061225062141AAnd0EH

here is the link to a question regarding dog declawing.. for those who havent heard of it. most people there think its totally fine!

Answer 1

I wouldn't have thought it was okay to declaw either. You take a pet as it is, or you don't have one. Thats that.

Answer 2

Totally different surgeries. In dogs the "extra" toe on the side of the leg can be removed (call a dewclaw and done at the age of 2-3 DAYS old). This has a few reasons, One... the dewclaw can be caught on things and ripped off (very painful). Two... some dogs/ breeds are shaved and it is easier and safer to shave the leg without the dewclaw. Three... sometimes that dewclaw grows differently from the other nails and can be a pain to clip.

DEclawing a cat involves cutting open the toes and removing the claws from the cat. This removes a cat's natural defense of claws (often declawed cats will bite instead). It is done at an older age and is painful to recover from. The reasons people declaw cats are so that the cat doesn't scratch the furniture, drapes etc. It is NOT done for the benefit of the cat but for the benefit of humans.

BTW I don't even have my dogs dewclaws removed as the breed I have usually has tight fitting dewclaws and doesn't require being shaved. But the nails tend to be flattened rather than round so, it is a pain to cut them.

Answer 3

I think you are confusing declawing a cat with removing the dewclaws of a dog.

Declawing a cat means that all the claws are removed, either from the front paws only or from all four paws. This is usually done to protect the owner's possessions and family from getting scratched. It serves no benefit to the cat, and can actually be detrimental.

Removing a dog's dewclaws means that only the dewclaws are removed. The dewclaws are further up on the dog's leg, and they serve no purpose for the dog (that I'm aware of, at least). But if they are left and not removed, they can get snagged on carpeting and rip off (or partially off). This can be quite painful for the dog. To prevent this suffering, the dewclaws are usually removed.

In short, declawing a cat doesn't do the cat any good. Removing a dog's dewclaws, however, does do the dog some good. That's why one is okay and the other isn't.

Answer 4

I presume you are referring to the dew claw which is situated at the back of the paw...up the leg...most dogs have this removed as it is an often cause of injury in later life..being ripped or caught on something whilst the dog is playing or exercising...if done correctly, it is a surgical procedure that prevents future accidents occuring....the declawing of a cat on the other hand is just barbaric....it is to prevent damage by the cat scratching furniture which is not only cruel it is also a terrible thing for a cat. They need their claws, their claws retract into the paw....it is horrible and needless.

Answer 5

I've never heard of declawing a dog, but it would be a different process. Cats, especially if they go outdoors, NEED their claws, not only for defense but to escape an attacker (by climbing). Here's what's done in declawing a cat: the claw is extended and the last joint of the cat's toe is amputated. It is VERY painful as well as unnecessary. You can't stop a cat from scratching as they do it instinctively: even declawed cats will go through the motions. You can, however, train them where to scratch. If you provide at least one (and preferably several with different types of surfaces) attractive scratching toys or posts, and discourage scratching elsewhere with a squirt of water, the cat will learn to use the post.

Answer 6

because unlike dogs cats claws are retractable.Whcih means the claws go in and out of there foot.So a cat has to have surgery to be declawed.Dogs on the other hand can just get there claws clipped. For a dog you though you wouldn't clip it all the way down that would be cruel and unhealty for the dog.People who declaw there cats are stupid b/c if your cat ever gets out of the house which is most likely that it will because cats are clever then it will have no way to defend itself against other cats or dogs or anything else it might run in to.If you are thinking about declawing your cat I highly advise you not to.

Answer 7

You should NOT declaw either! Alot of times the puppies dew claw might be removed at a young age but that is only one "thumb" claw located a few inches above the paw. The rest of the claws should NEVER be removed. Claws serve many purposes. Could you imagine "de-fingering" yourself?

Answer 8

most vets that I know or have worked for WOULD NEVER declaw a dog. Removing DEWclaws is different, they are the thumb-like nails that dogs have and can get caught on things. Most vets recommend having those removed at 2-3 days old.

Answer 9

Declawing a dog? I've never heard of that. We have three 100% indoor cats, and they are all declawed to keep them from scratching up furniture.

We've got two dogs, as well, but they aren't declawed. I've never even heard of declawing a dog, but declawing a cat is pretty common (as long as they never go outside...if they're outside cats, they need their front claws to defend themselves against other animals).

Answer 10

Dogs have their dewclaws removed, but I have never heard of anyone who declawed them totally. Yes, it would be just as cruel to declaw a dog as to declaw a cat.

Answer 11

I do not think it is OK to de-claw a dog as it is usually done for the convenience of the owner or for fashion and in no way benefits the dog.

There are exceptions and I have had very long dew claws removed from a dog I owned because she constantly cut her own legs with her overlong claws and she ripped them a couple of times.

It was a horrible operation which my Vet said he would never have considered unless he thought it was necessary to avoid further injury.

Cats use their claws constantly to aid climbing and balancing. Their claws are not useless appendages like our nails but are a necessary part of the cat. De-clawing a cat is depriving it of a vital part of its self.

People who do it are too lazy or stupid to be able to cope with a fully functioning animal and shouldn't own a cat if they can't deal with the odd bit of scratching of furniture.

If the cat is scratching them they should give it to someone it prefers to live with then it won't need to scratch anyone.