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Why is it that all the cat fiends out there who are so militantly opposed to declawing cats have naught to say about the practice of docking a dog's tail? It's just as, if not more, inhumane than declawing. And don't forget that many dogs have their ears clipped so they are erect and pointy.
I'm always saddened by the site of a dog with a docked, especially when they wag it. They WANT to be so excited and their little stump wags all it can, but it just doesn't work. :-(
PS I have a cat AND a dog. They have all their claws and the entirety of their tails.

2007-01-19 01:10:29 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Other - Pets

Bess--What I meant by that statment is that when the topic of declawing comes up, no comparisons with tail-docking is ever made, though I think the practices to be similar.

2007-01-19 01:53:04 · update #1

10 answers

Where did you get the idea that all people who are against mutilating cats don't care about dogs?

I love cats AND dogs, and I believe that it's inhumane to declaw cats for our convenience, especially since it's completely unneccessary - there are humane and effective ways to prevent cats from damaging the furniture. Likewise, ear cropping and tail docking for cosmetic reasons are unnecessary mutilation of a pet - the ear flaps protect the ears from debris, and the tail provides balance. Tails and ears, like claws, are there for a reason! Sometimes, though, a dog's tail needs to be docked for medical reasons, if the tail is injured or severely deformed - that's the only time I think tail docking is OK.

2007-01-19 01:48:27 · answer #1 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 0 0

The reality is that none of those are necessary procedures, but neither are they inherantly painful or inhumane. They are done for cosmetic and convenience reasons that not everyone agrees with. I own a Boxer with a docked tail, no dew claws, and natural ears. I would not have changed anything about his appearance. My last Cocker had a docked tail, also wouldn't change anything about his appearance. My cats have their claws, but if they were a nuisance, they wouldn't. The reality is, the procedures are as comfortable and humane as possible. The tails are done when the pups are too young to have a memory of the procedure, and before they experience pain the same way you and I, or adult pets would. Not that it does not hurt, but just like little kids getting their tonsils out is less traumatic of an experience when they are young, getting tails docked at three days old is the same idea. Most vets won't do cats over a certain weight or age, or insist on laser procedures that are less invasive for adult cats because they know that the procedure is not comfortable or humane for larger, heavier adult cats.

Up until a recent injury I was planning on becoming a veterinarian. I fully planned on doing tails, ears and declaws. While they are not my favorite part of the job, people will do them at home (and frequently do) if they are not done by a vet. I think people who get all up in arms about these procedures need to remember that just like all other procedures (human and animal) that are made illegal or controversial, people are going to do it anyways, and it's better to have it done in a safe, sterile, clean manner by a professional with support than in a backyard, with scissors or rubberbands, in dirty conditions or without safety measures taken to make sure the pups or kittens are old enough and strong enough to withstand them.

2007-01-19 09:53:09 · answer #2 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 0 0

The question about declawing was the one at hand..not the tail docking. I have seen many questions about declawing but never saw one about docking. It's not that I have nothing to say about docking, it's just that I have not seen a question about it. When most people get a puppy, the docking is already done so they have no say in it anyway.

2007-01-19 09:33:44 · answer #3 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0 0

I do not agree with any alterations to animals that nature did not intend; this includes docking and declawing. Declawing is the same as removing a finger, literally, and is very painful to the animal. It also leaves them defenseless. Docking is cruel and is meant entirely for the humans involved - it does the animal no service whatsoever.

2007-01-19 09:16:17 · answer #4 · answered by Susan R 2 · 0 0

I also despise the declawing/docking of tails. As an ex-vet nurse, I have seen first hand the docking of tails. I assure you all, it is not a nice sight. It is inhumane and downright cruel.

We should accept and love our animals for 'who' they are, sharp claws and long tails included!

2007-01-19 09:52:22 · answer #5 · answered by melfromhell001 3 · 0 0

I am all against anything that involves altering an animal. At least humans when they get pierced or tatooed have a choice. People do weird things to animals and the poor things have no say in it. I am also against taking poor tiny dogs all day in purses and keeping big dogs in apartments. Animals need space and comforts like an animal not like a toy.

2007-01-19 09:24:34 · answer #6 · answered by Blue 2 · 0 0

A popular form of torture is to rip out finger and toe nails. The pain lasts for days. The alternative of using a cigar cutter to remove the entire foot would be less painful for the poor cat.

2007-01-19 09:34:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Picture someone cutting about half of your fingers off. That is exactly what happens and it doesn't sound fun. Believe me one of my cats is declawed and I regret it and feel bad for him.

2007-01-19 11:25:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I agree with you, we should stop surgically altering our pets for aesthetic purposes. They are perfect as they come.

2007-01-19 09:20:30 · answer #9 · answered by lisateric 5 · 0 0

i don't agree with either practice.

2007-01-22 10:16:24 · answer #10 · answered by sandy e 3 · 0 0

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