Declawing Cats And Kitten Videos

Question: How do you feel about declawing cats?

(Posted by: on 2012-02-01 13:27:34)

I know some people think its ok and some think its cruel...i don't like it but i just want to hear your opinion

Posted by: Bonnie Angel on 2012-02-01, 13:40:55

I would never in a million years declaw my cat. If they scratch furniture or walls there are easy solutions to this without declawing. It is inhumane and cruel. In Europe it is illegal and considered animal abuse. Many vets in America now refuse to do it and some states have laws against it. Read the link I am giving you. Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes ". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat. No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly. Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors. I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect. from the first link.

Posted by: Billy on 2012-02-01, 13:28:25

It should be required by law to have your cat declawed. Little bastardds...

Posted by: scorpio on 2012-02-01, 13:28:45

How do you feel about someone cuting your fingers without even asking you?

Posted by: Rainstorm on 2012-02-01, 13:29:28

If your cat is an outside cat I can understand not declawing it due to it being outside. But if it is an indoor cat then you should. I mean you do not want your furniture to be ruined.

Posted by: Harsh on 2012-02-01, 13:32:04

It is in no way good for the cat. It is the equivalent of chopping of your fingers up to the first nail. If you've ever had the misfortune of watching a declawing surgery video, you'll see how bad it is. there are other ways to prevent cats from scratching and declawing unnecessarily painful.

Posted by: Vicki on 2012-02-01, 13:32:54

I don't like it. Especially when people get them declawed and then abandon them - basically killing them because without claws they can't hunt. You can always just trim their claws every so often or just get untextured furniture so they don't shred it. There's always other options!

Posted by: Kaitlyn on 2012-02-01, 13:35:10

I guess that it is your personal preference. If it is an outside cat I probably wouldn't declaw him/ her in case they need to defend themselves. If it is an inside cat I guess you could declaw them but I personally like the way that my cat claws my stomach. But it's your opinion what to do with your cat.

Posted by: Pandora on 2012-02-01, 13:37:44

I think it's unnatural and cruel. However, I could see the justification for it if the cat never went outside. But if the cat DOES go outside, taking its claws away will be removing its defenses.

Posted by: Andile on 2012-02-01, 13:38:41

I think it's cruel too, they can't play games with you like you try and make your cat chase the string and all that and it would be difficult for them to jump on something that is fabric because they might fall and they can't dig their nails also they can't catch their pray then because they dig their's claws on it but they can't since SOMEONE has declawed it -.- It's cruel D:

Posted by: Renee on 2012-02-01, 13:39:52

Outdoor cats, NO. Indoor/ outdoor cats, maybe under certain circumstances. Indoor cats, if there are elderly or children that live with the cat.

Posted by: Rella on 2012-02-02, 09:40:32

I think it's cruel and would never declaw any of my cats. For one thing, I have a dog, so they need to be able to teach the dog respect if need be. But even if I didn't have a dog, I would always want my cats to have their claws. It is a natural part of their defenses and I wouldn't want to take that away. All my cats are indoor-only, but I would rather have slightly shredded furniture than cause my cats pain and harm and potentially put them in danger by removing their claws. What if there was a natural disaster, God forbid, that left them outside? They would be defenseless without their claws, unable to even climb trees. Having said all that, even though I strongly disapprove of declawing, I would rather see people declaw cats IF that's the only way they would adopt them, rather than having them not go without a cat if the claws are that much of an issue for the person. It is tragic how many cats are put to death each year because irresponsible people don't spay and neuter their pets, and then there are not enough homes for all of them. So the best thing would be to not declaw under any circumstances. But it's better to declaw a cat than let it be put to death in a shelter, IF the person refuses to adopt a cat otherwise.