2007-04-10 15:05:27 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
It's usually to protect furniture, other animals, or small children. My parents declawed my cats when I was little so I wouldn't get scratched, but now that I have a cat and my own home, I just trim her claws. I figure trimming them myself is easy enough and doesn't put her through the operation to remove them, so I might as well do that since there's no real necessity.
2007-04-10 15:14:06 · answer #1 · answered by Maggie 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Most people declaw cats to protect their property from being scratched and damaged. I think that cats SHOULD NOT be declawed, though, because in the event thy get outside, you have taken their main form of self-defense away. Besides, how would you like it if I came over and pulled all your nails out, one by one? :)
2007-04-14 13:20:17 · answer #2 · answered by sabby 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your vet to get your best advice...
I have one of each and to tell you the truth...My younger cat is declawed (she came to me that way) and it's my first experience but I'm glad I don't have to "train" her not to claw the furniture, the wood trim on the door ways, my bedspread when she jumps on the bed, my wicker furniture,,,etc etc, etc...
So it will all depend on what you and your vet decide is best.
Just realize if you do declaw your cat, she's an indoor kitty for the rest of her life. Inhumane would be a declawed cat fighting for neighborhood territory without the proper amory.
Best wishes with you animal friend.
2007-04-10 22:20:18 · answer #3 · answered by Pinkprincess5455 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Well some people declaw cats because they don't want their furniture scratched up. Some people declaw their cats because they don't want the cat to hurt other animals. Some people have a weak immune system and are more likely to catch Cat Scratch Fever and have their cat declawed to eliminate the risk.
2007-04-10 22:17:07 · answer #4 · answered by catsrules24 1 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Honestly, I don't understand why. I have two indoor cats and would NEVER declaw. Yes, one of them gets my furniture or carpet sometimes, but big deal, it's only THINGS. They have a scratching post, and I trim their nails every 2-3 weeks. Yes, trimming can be a pain sometimes and I have gotten clawed on numerous occasions. If you take the time to trim, though, the cats will get used to it. My male cat wouldn't let me trim one nail when I first got him - now I can do pretty much all of them by myself. You just have to start early and do it frequently.
By the way - declawing is more than just "taking the nail off". It involves removing the entire last section of each toe bone because the nail is embedded in that. Some cats seem to live good lives, but many others develop behavioral and physical problems because of it. Not to mention, if an indoor only cat escapes - and it DOES happen - they have no defenses. The back claws provide little to no help in a fight as the main weapon is the front claws.
2007-04-10 23:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by J 3 · 2⤊ 6⤋
I know a lot of indoor cats are declawed to protect furniture, flooring, etc. I myself am a brittle diabetic (among other things) with a weakened immune system. The smallest infections (even from a scratch) need to be watched. So it was necessary. I would never want to attempt to trim his nails, as I would be afraid of cutting the quick.
2007-04-10 22:44:01 · answer #6 · answered by starshadowhe 1 · 3⤊ 3⤋
We had our cats front paws declawed so he wouldn't tear up our new furniture or our children. It is the same thing as a human going in and having a toe nail or finger nail taken off by a doctor. There is nothing wrong with it and they still live perfectly normal lives.
2007-04-10 22:42:28 · answer #7 · answered by Lulu 2 · 4⤊ 4⤋
So they don't destroy the furniture! I have both of my cats' front paws declawed. They're house cats, but just in case they were to ever get outside, they still have their back claws for some protection should they ever need it.
2007-04-10 22:17:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 3⤋
I only declawed my cats front claws, to prevent him from scratching my furniture. It is not cruel, they are under anesthesia when it is done, my cat is perfectly healthy, and very happy. The only thing is that he can not be an outdoor cat, which he never was to begin with. He still can defend himself with his back claws which he does very well when he plays with his brother.
2007-04-10 22:36:03 · answer #9 · answered by Mommyof3 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Mainly cats leave scratch marks on your best wooden furniture and tear up all of your upholstered furniture. If, however, they are outside cats they need to keep their claws for self protection. I have coyotes and raccoons and other predators so my indoor-outdoor cats keep their claws.
I think I have heard that the claws can be trimmed with a clipper but that would have to be done fairly often.
2007-04-10 22:17:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋