Declawing.....?

Question

Im 12 years old. And in about 2-3 weeks my parents are getting my cat (Oliver) declawed. I think this is VERY appropriate because he HATES the outdoors with a passion.And about 2 months ago, Oliver scratched me on the side of the eyeball causing hemridging..I could have very well lost my sight that day and I thank God I didn't.... Anyways, I think it's appropriate to declaw him....
What do you think?

I am very responsible and he would never ever go outside...
also the vet is awesome!

Answer 1

Declawing domestic cats to prevent scratching problems is controversial.Some countries, such as Britain, and Germany, have outlawed the practice as barbaric and unnecessary.Many United States breeders, veterinarians, cat registries, and cat associations feel the same way.Declawing removes the germinal cells and some or all of the terminal bone in the toe, similar to CUTTING OFF THE HUMAN'S FINGERS AT THE FIRST JOINT!!!Declawing removes a cat's ability to DEFEND HIMSELF and to CLIMB to avoid attackers . If any time you would loose Oliver outside, he wouldn't survive.Keeping the cat's claws trimmed will help minimize the damage the cat can inflict.If nobody in your household, in pet grooming places or cet clinics, will trim Oliver's claws for about 12$.A product called SOFT PAWS NAIL CAPS for cats provides another option.These soft vinyl caps are applied over the cat trimmed nails and held in place with special skin friendly adhesive , effectively blunting the claws and making damage to belongings or even your face impossible. The caps last until the nail grows out, about 4-8 weeks.Your vet applies the first set and provides training.The initial application and training costs around 30$ and includes the supply of the nail caps.From then on, your parents can do the application.Usage can be stopped whenever you wish.Nail caps are positive, painless, and safe alternatives to declawing. The nail tips are harmless even if swallowed.See your vet for more information.Please tell your parents, don't declaw Oliver.I have a neighbour, and she did declaw her cat by the vet.Her cat was in pain for weeks, she can see the sadness in her cats' eyes, she is not the same any more, not that playful.She said me last time:"If I could just turn back time, and never ask my vet to declaw her..." Please convince your parents, and cancel Oliver's appointment at the vet.I hope my answer will help you.

Answer 2

I just found out in some states they are going to re instate the declawing law. Some Vets can turn around and say No. It is in Certain areas in California. The next cat I get I would never get that cat declawed because the cat I have now had a small problem and she had a hard time healing right.

Answer 3

At least 10 scientific studies have examined the consequences of declawing on the pet and on the pet-owner relationship. These studies show that declawing does not alter the cat’s behavior. In fact, cats may continue to scratch furniture after declawing, but cause no damage. There is no increase in behavior problems. Declawed cats are not at greater risk of getting bitten or injured in catfights. Owners of declawed cats report a higher number of good behaviors than the owners of clawed cats.
There is some speculation about whether declawed cats might be more prone to either biting or house soiling. In a study of biting frequency and intensity, declawed cats did not bite any more often or any more seriously than a control group of nondeclawed cats...
.........
The only consistently recognized effect of declawing is a few days of post-surgical discomfort. Therefore be certain to discuss pain management options with your veterinarian prior to surgery.
When owners of declawed cats are asked to assess the effects of declawing on the cat-owner relationship, declawing always met or surpassed their expectations, and more than 70% indicated an improvement in their relationship with their cat. Declawing allows people to keep their cat and stop household damage
. Also, look here: http://www.exclusivelycats.com/sites/site-3975/documents/DECLAWING.pdf

Answer 4

No, it's not at all appropriate to declaw a cat. They do not just take away the claw, they take away the entire top part of the knuckle. The reasons cats get declawed are purely selfish ones. It does not matter whether he goes outside or not.

Imagine if you said nasty things to me and upset me every day, so I decided to force you to have an operation that would take away your voice. It wouldn't be fair, would it? Just because we are humans, it doesn't mean we have the right to maim animals for our own selfish reasons. I'm very sorry about your cat scratching your eye..... I really am.... but you shouldn't get him declawed! If you are frightened of him, give him to somebody else.

You might want to know that cats who get declawed often start biting a lot more than a normal cat, because it's their only way to defend themselves.

Before your parents get his knuckles cut off permanently, I'd ask them to read the following websites:
http://www.declawing.com/
http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/
http://amby.com/cat_site/dc-wyntk.html
http://maxshouse.com/Truth%20About%20Declawing.htm

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with your parents decision. Why not look at an alternative, such as Soft Paws, which are comfortable for the cat, but reduce the risk of you being injured by Oliver again.

Emmie

Answer 5

That sounds like you are out for revenge. Keep in mind you have a cat. A better option would be to give him to someone who doesn't mind a cat, and get another softer animal. Or, teach him to use the scratching post. That kind of scratch is very rare, and unlikely to ever happen again. We also don't know the circumstances of when it happened -- he will be more mean like that ify ou keep him outside. An alternative is to keep him inside. If you do declaw him and keep himoutside, you may as well cut him up yourself since he is going to be beated up badly.

Answer 6

Declawing cats is cruel and unnecessary torture. In many countries, including England, it is illegal. Have you ever seen a cats toes immediately after they have been declawed or watched them try to go into a litterbox with bloody scars and incisions? It's horrible. If the cat scratched you its because it didn't like what you were doing to it at the time so its your fault not the cats fault you got scratched. You need to learn how to deal with your cat and train it properly so it won't scratch and isn't destructive. Please read up on declawing before you go ahead and take advice from a bunch of strangers. If you do a Google search on "declawing" you will find a lot of information.

Here is some information for you to read and make sure your parents educate themselves as well before they put your poor cat through terrible pain and agony.

http://www.declawing.com/

http://www.petstation.com/declaw.html...

http://www.pawproject.com/html/faqs.asp...

Answer 7

I'm glad you're ok and your sight hasn't been comprimised.
I get why your parents want to declaw him. They are, after all looking out for you, and the haemoraging must have been scary for them.
But, if you are declawing your cat then you have to take into account you are taking away its ability to defend itself.
I know you're probobly a responsible girl, but its an issue that you cannot make light of.
Also, the procedure is well...horrible. The vet will have to rip out Olivers knuckles. It will hurt and Oliver will be in pain.

My suggestion would be to clip his claws twice a week. You get cat clippers and they work great. I use them on my cat as he loves to claw at everything, especially me.
It'll keep you safe, and isn't as drastic as declawing.

Just an opinion. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Answer 8

thank god it is illegal over here in the uk. by declawing a cat, you change the way it walks, a cat is digitigrade meaning it walks on its toes when a cat is declawed you remove the first joint or toe, this then causes back ache. you cat is more likely become aggressive because it has no way of defending itself. so the poor mite will learn to use its teeth which is worse than claws. just because oliver scratched and cut you eye you want to cause him pain back. you may have picked him or antagonised him into defending himself. i have kittens and cats which have been trained to have their claws trimmed from an early age and to use a scratching post. you can also buy something called soft claws and they come in funky colours which go over you cats claws they can not scratch you with them or well trimmed claws and the cat can still defend himself should he ever get out. it is extremely irresponsible to get a cat declawed it is also inhumane (i do wonder if americans that do this to their cats would like to have their fingers and toes cut off to the first joint which is effectively what you are doing to the cat).

Answer 9

They dont just remove the claw, they remove part of the finger. They cut it off at the knuckle. Then the cat will be in extreme pain and discomfort for a long time. You will have to have special cat litter so it does not get infected. It may not eve want to go in the litter with its fingers all cut off so it will go where ever it wants.

Some states and countries do not allow declawing as it is inhumane and considered animal cruelty.

DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT.

Answer 10

Edited to respond to this email:

If your parents write in however, I would like to tell them what I think of them.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WHAT DO U MEAN BY THAT?

Bookworm, I meant that as a young person you are not responsible for the actions of your parents. While I speak politely to you, although still stating my views, I might not be so polite to adults who would knowingly behave in a way I felt was very wrong and cruel.

Of course I would not say YOU were wrong or cruel, because you are a young person and naturally you love and respect your parents, and feel they are acting in the best way to protect you.

I am sure they feel they are doing just that, but I disagree with what they plan to do to Oliver, and would probably have been be less polite and more forceful if they had posted this question instead of you.

That's all!

~*~*~*~*~

Since you ask my opinion, I will tell you that I believe that animals are NOT toys which exist for the convenience of people.

If people don't like to take the time to learn how to discipline a cat, how ro recognise the signs it is anxious or angry, and can't be bothered keeping a simple tube of antiseptic cream handy in case of scratches, they would be better off with a stuffed toy.

In the country I live in (Australia) it is illegal to declaw cats, as it is considered to be animal cruelty, and I agree with this law.

For my whole life I have had cats, my parents had cats, most of my friends have cats, some have cats and dogs, and we have never had any of them declawed nor would we ever think of it.

I have been scratched (and also bitten) by cats, and have not died or lost my eyeball. Sometimes I've needed to wipe the bite with disinfectant or methylayed spirits, and I keep my tetanus shots current (sensible anyway).

I DID learn at a young age how to tell when a particular cat no longer wants to be mauled about by people and not to push it past that limit, or to put my face near my cat's claws when s/he was cross or anxious about something.

If you decalw your cat you will never get to know the full extent of his personality.

Additionally, as he has already experienced life with claws (as is natural), he will be very lost and find it difficult to adjust to having no claws, just as you would if someone chopped off your finger tips tomorrow.

I would be more frank about this but you say you are a young child, so I will restrain myself. If your parents write in however, I would like to tell them what I think of them.