I am doing a speech for my english class at school and its is a persuasive speech.. my friend and i are aponents and our topic is wheather or not it is humane to declaw a cat... i took the side where it is NOT humane to decalw a cat and i have to give my speech on it so if anyone has any input on what i can say then that would be much appreciated!
2007-02-27 11:00:56 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
www.declawing.com/
will give you all the information you need. good luck!!
2007-02-27 12:09:47 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats. This removes the dead husks from their claws, marks territory, both visually and with scent glands in their paws, and stretches their muscles. Unfortunately, what is natural behavior for a cat often is considered misbehavior by a cat's human guardian, especially when furniture or other household objects are damaged in the process.
The sensible and humane solution to undesirable scratching is to modify the cat's conduct by making changes in the environment. Many guardians, however, choose to modify their cats by having the cat's claws removed. Usually, the front claws are the only ones cut off, but some guardians also have the back claws removed.
A Painful Surgery.
Surgical claw removal or declawing is called onychectomy. By any name, it is an extreme measure in which the entire last part of the ten front toes are amputated. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint.
General anesthesia is used for this surgery, which always has a certain degree of risk of disability or death associated with it. Because declawing provides no medical benefits to cats, even slight risk can be considered unacceptable. In addition, the recovery from declawing can be painful and lengthy and may involve postoperative complications such as infections, hemorrhage, and nail regrowth. The latter may subject the cat to additional surgery.
A less invasive procedure, called tenotomy or deep digital flexor tendonectomy, sometimes is done. In this procedure, the tendons controlling the claws are severed without removing the claws. Although postoperative problems are lessened by this procedure, the risks associated with general anesthesia and the ethical question of performing surgery which does not benefit the patient still apply.
Physical and Psychological Effects
Declawing robs a cat of an integral means of movement and defense. Because they cannot defend themselves adequately against attacks by other animals, declawed cats who are allowed outdoors may be at increased risk of injury or death. Moreover, it is unknown whether declawing causes some degree of privation with respect to satisfying the instinctive impulses to climb, chase, exercise, and to mark territory by scratching.
Some declawed cats behave as they did before they were declawed, but others undergo a profound personality change. They may become extremely timid or unusually aggressive. Whether such problems develop from the trauma of surgery or the absence of claws is a matter of speculation.
Philosophic Concerns
Anesthesia and postoperative analgesics may minimize the pain and discomfort experienced by cats who are declawed. It may also be that there are no long term psychological effects, if this could be assessed adequately. But, these are not the only issues and may not even be the most important issues. A major concern that the AVAR has about declawing is the attitude that is evident in this situation. The cat is treated as if he or she is an inanimate object who can be modified, even to the point of surgical mutilation, to suit a person's perception of what a cat should be. It would seem more ethical and humane to accept that claws and scratching are inherent feline attributes, and to adjust one's life accordingly if a cat is desired as a companion. If this is unacceptable, then perhaps a different companion would be in order.
2007-02-27 19:14:55 · answer #2 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i don't declaw mine but its by choice..i don't think its inhumane because getting declawed is better then ending up in the shelter because the cat can't be stopped form sctratching chairs and curtian...lol or climbing the door ways... which mine do they have one door way that is their climbing 'tree' and scratching post.
they do remove part of the toe bone but a cats toes are not like our fingers cats can retrack their nails so they have a double hindged type toes. it can be inhumane if it is not done right...which i have seen and its not pretty.
they also make what is called SOFT PAWS which is a cap that is glued on to a cats nailsto keep them scratching stuff up. but i think it looks more painful then getting declawed as it looks like the cat can not retrack it nails and cats are not made to walk with their claws out.
it can create biters as cats relize that it can not hurt with its paws they will bite instead...and beat the crap outta ya with its back feet. some cats have tender feet the rest of their lives when it is not done right. and if the cat is the type to run outta the house it would not be as able to defend it's self....however cats adapt fast. i had a declawed cat that caught and killed a crow that got in the house....and was one of the best mousers..in house only kitty as all cats that get declawed need to be.
good luck
wolf
2007-02-27 19:27:34 · answer #3 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go here for an article on the Top Ten Reasons Not to Declaw a Cat:
http://cats.about.com/od/declawing/tp/reasonsnot.htm
It also has many links to other articles and web pages.
THIS webpage:
http://declawing.com/
is set up by a veterinarian and also explains why declawing is wrong. It has a lot of links, too.
2007-02-27 19:26:28 · answer #4 · answered by Ms. S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I look at it as VERY inhumane and just used to make it easier for humans to live the life they want to life with their perfect pets.
Would you let someone remove your first knuckles? No.
Would you let someone remove the first knuckles of someone you loved? No.
Even for convience, no animal should have to go through that suffering. When you signed on to have a cat, it wasn't for a convience. Also, cats usually change. I know many cats who were declawed and then proceeded to become demons.
Talk to some vets--they can give you some honest opinions.
2007-02-27 19:05:28 · answer #5 · answered by FaZizzle 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Try http://www.aspca.org and join aspca community. The people there will be able to help you, there are very well informed and know a lot about declawing. Try that, and way to go!
2007-02-27 22:07:59 · answer #6 · answered by sir'slady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Declawing is inhuman to cats. The cut the first joint off their little feet! Then they can't defend themselves as well as before.
2007-02-27 19:05:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
When it comes to defending themselves, declawing just guarantees that they become large breed dog food. Saw this demonstrated.
2007-02-27 19:10:40 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ask them how they would feel if someone ripped out each finger nail -- one by one. How will the cat climb a tree if it's being chased by a dog
2007-02-27 19:36:35 · answer #9 · answered by blitz1228 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I THINK CLIPPING THE SHARP ENDS REGULARLY IS THE HUMANE WAY TO DEAL WITH CLAWS. WHEN THE "CLAW" IS REMOVED SO IS THE JOINT. IT SEEMS TO CHANGE THEIR STRIDE.
2007-02-27 19:18:48 · answer #10 · answered by Bettee62 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋