De-clawing - has anyone every wondered......?

Question

....... why America is the only country (out of all the MANY countries on planet Earth) that thinks it's acceptable to declaw cats? Has no one ever considered that perhaps, given how outnumbered America is in their belief, just perhaps this practice is a little - uh - backward?

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe America alone is more advanced than the rest of the human race (that was sarcasm).

Anyone agree?

(obviously this is not directed at the millions of Americans who DON'T agree with declawing, but it's just interesting that everyone who DOES declaw IS American...)

Darn, all really nice, agreeable answers so far! I was hoping to goad some of the dolts who think it's OK to de-claw - come on, I know you're out there!! (thanks everyone so far for re-establishing some of my faith in the human race - or Americans, anyway)

So THAT'S the feeble reason people do it! 'cat's end up on the streets if they're not declawed'. Only in America would you find that attitude - people getting rid of cats because they don't like how they're made. Disgusting.

Angela has missed the point 100%, which is that you don't surgically alter animals for your own convenience. I mean what's more important, your pet or your furniture?! I guess I know some people's answer to that.

No assumption here, Betty. This was based on info from vets from other countries, including South Africa and Australia, who had no knowledge of this procedure going on in their countries. Actually it's almost heartening, in a weird way, to think that Americans aren't the only ones. Just the main ones.

Answer 1

You have a good question. Of course, when I was young I had three cats. All of which were de-clawed.Back then I think the main reason my mom de-clawed them was so they would not hurt me. But, now I have two girl cats both of which still have their claws.

Now, I decided in this case because they are mine not to de-claw them. There are advantages and disadvantages in this case. Advantages are they will not hurt your young ones and that your furniture will stay intact. Disadvantages are your taking away from their natural being. They use their claws for a lot of reason, especially an outdoor cat. Either way they need their defense mechanisms (claws) to survive.

So, I could go either way on this subject. Other countries may not have the equipment or resources to provide this procedure. But, they are more of the outdoors men and women of this world. As for us in the USA we have become so pampered to indoor activities and wanting indoor animals, to where we have came up with this procedure to make it more convenient when looking for a good pet.

Answer 2

I think it is very unfortunate that this country is so far behind on all cosmetic/convenience alterations to animals, from declawing to taildocking, ear cropping...well, I guess those are pretty much the only ones. But, realistically, since pets are so disposable to so many people, I would rather see a cat put through declawing than dumped at a shelter or on the street. I don't at all agree with the attitude of disposable pets, but I realize that I can't change everyone's views. I think it would be a huge step to at least do away with "regular" declawing and limit people to the laser surgery. Granted, you still have the effects of changing the way the cat walks and a difficult healing, but at least it's not the same level of mutilation. Course, at my house, I've got one scratched up door frame from my cat. I can live with that, pretty easily really. Not like she ruins everything in my house. Then again, it took 2 couches, 3 loveseats, 1 coffee table, 2 chairs, countless pillows...oh, make that 3 couches actually....to get through one of my dog's separation issues, but he's still here...So I'm forgiving of animals to a fault. But what do you do? Outlaw declawing and end up with more cats dying in shelters? As much as I hate it, I think a cat with a home and no claws is better than a dead cat that no one would take.

Answer 3

The US is not the only country that permits declawing of casts. Your assumption that it is shows arrogance on your part. Canada, permits declawing and is not part of the US. Asian, African and South American countries also permit it. The large number of European countries that do not is because it is an EU restriction rather than an individual country restriction.

Most people do not understand what "declawing" actually is or the damage it does to their pet. They think that since the cat does not show human style pain that the cat must be fine. I once had a 16 year old cat walk around for 2 days on a broken leg. She didn't even wince when I ran my hand down the leg after we thought it had been broken. Animals bear their pain well, something humans cannot understand and cannot do.

Answer 4

I agree that it is interesting that we are the only country that still performs this procedure. The number of (new) cats that are de-clawed has come down in recent years though.

I believe that part of the problem is people do not educate themselves on the procedure. Many people are unaware of how a cat is de-clawed and think it is simple and pain free. Some of these people are told this by their vets who try to sugar coat the truth. Some people don't do their own research and just go with whatever they are told. They are the same people who feed really bad pet food because they haven't done the research into what their animal really needs. I wish more people would make some effort and educate themselves.

I have two male cats (brothers) and both have their claws intact. Both have been trained to use their scratching posts and love them. Cats can be trained (differently from dogs of course) and usually learn the behavior very quickly. Cats are very intelligent and understand what we are asking them to do. Plus, a proper scratching post (especially with catnip in/on it) is more appealing then a couch anyway.

I hope that one day, de-clawing is a thing of the past but I honestly don't know how that will ever happen. There are plenty of greedy vets out there and plenty of people who are not willing to learn.

Great topic though!
-Brit

EDIT: Slytherinferret - I loved your answer! I agree 100%!!!

Answer 5

I am a Canadian with an African background and back home in my country of Sudan, most people do de-claw their cats for various reasons.
1. The first would be to protect their assets and belongings that are fragile.
2. To protect other animals, in this case, most people have large homes and tend to raise a bunch of animals in groups in their own backyards -chickens being some of them.

3. Our cats back home are quite aggressive, they eat anything (small animals or meat) especially mice and rats and when they chase these animals all around is usually when the cats destroy almost anything in their paths -therefore having people or their owners de claw them. I also forgot to mention that they actually break fish tanks too to get to the fishes.

So i have to say that Americans are not the only ones that de claw their cats or think it OK to do so, we just haven't been discovered yet and am sure there are other countless countries who do so.

I however have to mention that when my country and Egypt were one back then, they had a great respect for cats and you can refer to the Pharaohs times to enrich your understanding some more. Hope that helps, take care

Answer 6

De-clawing is undesirable. they don't in basic terms take the claws, they decrease off area of the feet. Cats who've been de-clawed have discomfort while they walk for something of their lives. there are thoughts. Clip your cat's claws many times. be sure you in basic terms do away with the outer area, and puppy your cat a lot whilst doing it, when you consider which you do not desire him to sense injury with the aid of this. There additionally are little plastic booties you will get to cover a cat's ft and claws. those keep the cat from scratching issues. ideally, purchase a scratching placed up or mattress. practice your cat to apply it with compliment and treats. even though, that doesn't constantly stop the cat from scratching different issues. (If it is an incredible element to scratch here, why not there?) finally, to maintain furniture, there are cat repellents accessible at puppy shops which will stop the cat from even happening the furniture. they are not risky to the cat or the furniture.

Answer 7

I guess the cultural difference of attitude to possessions (including cats) would be a reasonable explanation, then.

However, is it only American cats who shred all the householders' stuff, then? Only we've always had cats and none of them have ever wrecked a thing...!

I also didn't realise till now that de-clawing involved more than just removing claws - which makes it all the more hideous.

This is interesting: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onychectomy

Honestly, what are the human race trying to do? Sweep through the world and adjust it ALL to suit our needs? Well, Americans, anyway.

Hm, yes, supporters of de-clawing strangely quiet...

Answer 8

I agree completely. I was very embarrassed recently when I was staying with family friends in Germany and my travel companion started telling the "hilarious" story of how the vet forgot to declaw one of her cat's claws, so now he just has the one claw and they call him Hook as a joke. It was extremely awkward as my German friends just kind of stared at her politely and changed the subject and I had to take her aside later and explain that declawing is illegal there and considered extremely inhumane and cruel. Her response was a blaise "Oh, really? Huh."

In my experience, most people who do get their cats declawed do not understand what the procedure entails and how they will be crippling their cat. And I'm sorry to vehemently disagree with the poster "jezzie" above, but the "If I didn't declaw, they'd be on the streets!" argument is crap. Saying it's okay to abuse your dog because if you couldn't you'd just get rid of it does NOT make it okay to abuse the dog! If you don't love cats with their claws, you don't love cats at all, period. It's an intrinsic part of the animal. Dogs can be just as destructive as cats - why don't we declaw them? Or just remove their teeth so they can't chew things? Declawing a cat is just as crippling as removing a dog's teeth. Not only do they need their claws for defense and survival, but they kind of need their toes so they can balance and do all the things cats like to do! And if your furniture is THAT big of an issue and is more important to you than the welfare of a living creature entrusted to your care, either don't get a pet or take five minutes out of your busy furniture-protecting life to realise there are harmless alternatives like Soft Paws that save your stuff and your cat's fingers.

I do think it is slightly hypocritical of some foreigners, who let their cats practically live outdoors all the time, to get on our backs about declawing (which I agree should DEFINITELY be illegal) without examining their own country's practices as well. Unless you're living in a bubble where there are no cars, no natural predators, no sick bastards, and no man-made poisons lying around, letting your cat go outdoors is just inviting disaster. I don't think there's anyone on earth who doesn't know SOMEONE whose cat's been hit by a car, and some close family friends are currently going through a horrible ordeal and racking up massive vet bills because their outdoor/indoor cat was just hit in the face with a bat or something similar and had massive head trauma and almost died. He's very, very lucky that he made it and gets to keep both his eyes. Now both their cats are indoor only - they've learned the hard way how dangerous the outdoors are. My mother learned this lesson for me when her beloved cat was hit by a car before she had me, so thankfully I've never had to suffer that kind of trauma myself and know to always keep my kitties indoors.

But yes, back to topic - declawing should be illegal, and I think the primary reason it's still so prevalent in this country is mass ignorance. Vets still treat it as a standard procedure, often packaging it with a spay/neuter and not bothering to explain to their clients what exactly it entails, which is highly irresponsible of them. More and more shelters and breeders are making adopters sign agreements that they won't declaw or at least inundating them with flyers on why they shouldn't, which is a start, but not every place that sells cats is that responsible. It really depresses me to think about how many cats are being maimed for no reason other than their owners' convenience. :(

Edit: Also, I think the term "de-clawing" is misleading and should be changed. It gives the impression that you're just removing the cat's claws, and you're not. You're lopping off their entire first knuckle, including all the ligaments and tendons. It should be called something more descriptive, preferably including the term "amputation," to more accurately describe what it is.

Answer 9

Hi there, very brave question plus you didn't get the backlash you were expecting, well done! Can i just say, sorry to use your piece as a sounding board, that i'm so very very glad that marianne is not a vets nurse in my country ( uk ), heartless! Why pick that job? Is it better paid than here? Wow! Sorry, thanks, back to you little brave-heart, i didn't know either that we were the only country outlawing this barbaric op! Learn something new every day on here. The practice stinks and if someone who proclaims themselves to be an animal lover, knows of a vet who de-claws kittens / cats, then they should report them to the royal college of vet surgeons!

Answer 10

I work as a vet tech, and the first thing I really understood while handling the owners was that the pet was almost entirely a commodity. The relationship is extremely selfish. When a beloved dog is sick and needs surgery the person cries so much because they don't want to lose the furry object of comfort, and it stems less from actually feeling for the animal. It gets even worse when they have pure bred pets that get expensive hair cuts. It's like the dog is their latest fashion accessory. So yeh de-clawing is cruel, but it's not so surprising since cats here are designed for human appeasement and who wants their lovely sofa ripped?