De-Clawing?

Question

How do you feel about de-clawing a cat?
My dad said it's like cutting you finger nails, only it's a cat's nail. But alot of people I know including one of my old neighboors say it is very mean to do that to your cat. Someone else told me it is like rmoving the first knuckle off of your finger.

What does de-clawing really do?
How do you feel about de-clawing?

Just so you people know... I think it is totally wrong... and shouldn't be legal anywhere in the world.

Answer 1

It's cruel and unnecessary
http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/
Let your dad read this website-it tells all about declawing and what happens and has pictures too. Declawing is for lazy people who don't want to take time to properly train their cats to a post. It is illegal almost everywhere except the US. The Humane Society, ASPCA, & Cat Fancier's Association all frown on it. Lots of cats develop behaviorial problems after declawing- they bite or quit using the litter box. People who would mutilate a pet to save their sofa don't need a pet-they need a stuffed animal.

Answer 2

Declawing is not simply "cutting off the fingernail". What it is exactly is cutting the toe off at the first knuckle. Your neighbors are correct. Declawing often has negative side affects on cats. Typically, cats suffer from a slow and painful recovery, balance disfunction, bad temperment, and most important, if they ever get outside, they cannot defend themselves. Declawing is illegal in numerous countries due to the cruelty. You have to understand that having claws and being able to climb and scratch (on a scratch post or designated area of course) is beneficial to cat's well being. There are a lot of alternatives to declawing a cat including putting on "softpaws" which is a cap that you glue over the claw. They are inexpensive, not painful, and still allow the cat to retract their claws and "scratch" without harming furnature or skin. Here is a good website that is neither pro nor con, just facts.

Answer 3

De clawing is the removal of the bone that lets the nail go in and out so a cat can scratch furniture etc. The surgery is not just removing the nail, the vet uses a laser to cut thru the bone to remove the nail so it will not grow back. It is like for us cutting the ends of our fingertips off. It is a painful surgery and I am against de clawing.

Answer 4

Declawing is horrible. It is illegal in California and I hope other states will follow. Get a dog if you don't like claws or put "soft claws" on the cat.
When I was 6 years old my parents had our cat's front claws removed. It was so sad her paws were all bandaged & the blood had soaked through. It hurt her to walk and she couldn't jump for weeks. It broke my heart. What a savage and barbaric mutilation.

Answer 5

if you must declaw a cat do it when they are young under a year it is less painful for them. When they declaw the vet removes the 1th phalanx which is the finger tip, other wise the claw would grow back wrong. if you only declaw the front the cant still has its teeth and hind claws for protection, if you declaw all four paws keep the cat inside only, because then they will have trouble defending its self, people have cats declawed so they dont scratch up furniture and floors, there is an alternative to declawing you can get caps glued on the cats nails ( but the do grow out of them) or you can just trim the nails down, declawing is fine just as long as it is done at a young age.

Answer 6

you don't have to de-claw your cat.. and no, it's more than just cutting your finger nails. but you can clip your cats claws!

just go out to a pet store and buy some clippers and styptic powder. the powder you will need in case you clip the claw too short. if your cat has white or clear nails then it'll be really easy, just hold the cat's paw like in this picture,
" http://www.catscratching.com/images/trim_hold_paw.jpg "
but be sure not to press too hard. you want to cut right below the quick (pink part) so kitty doesn't bleed.
" http://www.catscratching.com/images/Claw-trim-quick-1.jpg "
you will probably want to do this once a week.. and have your vet show you how. they shouldn't charge you for that.

there are also nail caps! they're only temporary (4-6 weeks) but they come in all kinds of fun colors! look! ^_^
" http://www.softpaws.com/colors.html "
they only come in clear for kittens and are non-toxic so if your cat manages to eat one it wont get sick or anything.

it's a lot nicer than declawing, less painful, and your kitty still has some sort of defense if it gets out.

Answer 7

Declawing is removing the first joint of each toe. It is a surgery and so there is some pain and recovery time. I have never declawed any of my cats, but I know lots of people that do. One friend has a cat that will attack you for no reason and for that she had her declawed, which has been the best for that cat, if not for declawing, she would have been put to sleep. It is a personal choice, one I have decided against, but if it mean keeping a cat or getting rid of it, I guess I would. If you decide to declaw your cat, please never let it outside, it will have no defense.

Answer 8

declawing actually is like cutting off a knuckle. The first bone segment is removed so that the nail does not grow back. It is a painful procedure but it done when the cat is young it isn't a big deal. If your cat is destructive with it's nails then it might be good idea for you to have done but if the cat does not destroy or scratch then it isn't necessary

Answer 9

De-Clawing does remove the first knuckle. Most De-Clawed cats are more aggressive than cats with their claws because they have no way to defend themselves. I think de-clawing is immoral and mean. I think there is no reason to de-claw your cat, besides saving your furnature. My cat has all of it's claws and is a perfectly sweet, cuddly kitty. She only scratches me when I deserve it.

Answer 10

To declaw a cat, you must cut off the toe up to the first knuckle, which is very wrong.