Declawing

[Jim O.]

I am very anti-declawing.


Declawing is the surgical removal of the last joint of the toe that contains the nail, in other words amputation of the tips of cats toes. Skin, tendons, ligaments and bone are severed from the cats feed. Declawing is not just limited to house cats: http://www.pawproject.com


Why am I anti-declawing? I think it's outright wrong, and I see it as legalized animal abuse. I've witnessed declaw surgery being performed, and it was so painful to the cats that they actually sometimes screamed and moaned during surgery, while under anesthesia. Post surgery was worse, cats screaming, moaning, growling by being in so much pain. By being very druggy while coming out of anesthesia they would sometimes slam their bandaged paws against the cage, sometimes causing the bandages to fail, or would bleed massively right through them. Of all the most common surgeries peformed, declawed cats have to go home on pain medication, something virtually unheard of with neuters, and even spays.


I see declawing as no more than forced cosmetic surgery on animals, with which they will not benefit at all. I believe it is an easy way out for most owners who or are too lazy or won't consider the numerous alternatives to declawing, and owners that value inatimate objects such as furniture more than life itself. Declaw surgery complications such as permanent pain and discomfort may occur, litter box problems, nail regrowth leading to more surgery, behavioral issues such as depression and aggression, and by having lost their claws they will usually tend to bite harder since they've lost a major means of defense.


I have many more opinions on declawing, but I'm curious to hear everyone else's stance, whether they are pro or anti declaw. If you vote, please comment on why you voted pro or anti.


I'm very interested in hearing the alternatives that people have taken to avoid declaw surgery.

[Jim O.]

I did forget to mention the option of being neutral, or declawing depending on the situation.

[Michael]

I added them.

[Jim O.]

Thank you Michael :)

[jilhrt2]

I hate declawing also. I think it is unnecessary and cruel. People only do it so their furniture won't be ruined. Well, if you are so concerned about furniture don't get animals! It's taking away the cat's natural insinct and need to use their claws. What if the indoor cats got out? They have no way to defend themselves. It's very inhumane...poor kitties. I have two, and they are indoor, and I would never declaw them. They love to sharpen them on things. I let them. Who the hell cares? I do clip them once in a while though. ;)

[Jim O.]

Sorry for the typos, feed is obviously supposed to be feet and inatimate is supposed to be inanimate ;P

I forgot to mention something else about declawing. I've worked in three animal hospitals thus far, the first two did declaws and the present one will not declaw cats unless it is deemed MEDICALLY NECESSARY.

Of all the technicans that I've come across in those animal hospitals that assisted in declaw surgery, ALL of them were anti-declaw. Even the techs that didn't like cats, or hated cats said it was animal abuse and did not condone it. It makes absolute sense because the techs are the people usually assisting in surgery, and taking care of the animals right after surgery. They are exposed to the cats during that critical post-surgery and intensive pain period. In addition to that, they are the ones who have to remove the bandages that have been blood-soaked and hardened to the cats feet and freshly amputated toes, which leads to more pain. I'm positive they've all witnessed what I've mentioned, and then some.

[Flower]

Declawing should be outlawed everywhere. I'd never do that under any circumstance. To me, it's right up there with debeaking chickens. :down:

[Anya]

I'm anti-declawing too. It's painful and, in my eyes, unnecessary. I've heard of people who had their cats declawed because they want to keep their furniture in a perfect state, but I think such people shouldn't have cats at all. I just can't understand how someone could put the condition of material things above the well-being of his/her pet.

[Christy]

I voted anti-, but must admit that my three cats are front declawed. I had this done as we moved into our new house almost 7 years ago. We were having to do major repairs to the house we rented due to damage the cats and dog had done, including replacing the carpet, refinishing wood flooring, replacing door trim, repairing doors and sheetrock, etc. I was in a panic with the house buying stress and the repairs, and was afraid they'd do that in the new house. I regret doing this now, of course. How selfish and reactionary. My old lady, Baby, still limps on one front foot (I try to tell myself it's just stiff joints brought on by her advancing age). Anyway, I wouldn't do it again. There are just too many cruelty-free alternatives. (I *did* talk my husband out of having our puppy's ears and tail docked. Does that redeem any karma for me?)

[Maresche]

I voted "depends on the situation," but let me preface that by saying there are very, very few situations in which it would be okay in my book. In 97% of all declaw situations, I would vote not to declaw.

One situation where I feel it was okay: A friend had one toe on her cat declawed. The toe was deformed, a birth defect from what she said, and the claw was becoming ingrown. It had to be removed or her kitty would lose the whole toe, paw, or worse. This was the only toe that was done, even though the vet offered to "do 'em all while he was at it." Of course, this is quite an odd situtation and I'm not sure if it would be considered a declaw or a preventative medical procedure.

The only other situation I can think of where it might be okay to declaw is if the kitty would otherwise lose it's home. I've not be able to determine for myself if it would be better for the kitty to be physicially mutilated through a declaw or homeless, especially considering the fate cats who were once domesticated face when turned loose. Of course, people who would turn a cat out if it wasn't declawed shouldn't have a cat to begin with, but I can think of a couple of situations where I honestly don't know.

A person who has had a cat for several years finds themselves with a compromised immune system, where the infection from a cat scratch could do serious harm. This person has looked for a home, cannot find one and it is the middle of kitten season at the shelters (meaning there is no room at the no-kill shelters). In this situation, it might be okay, but the person faces a host of other behavioral problem having a cat declawed at this age.

I know I've thought of other such situations in the past, but I can't remember them at this point (it is Friday) after all. If I do remember them, I'll add them to this thread.

[Jim O.]

I just have to note that a lot of declawed cats are found on the streets, well, declawed. Meaning they could have been dumped for some reason even after having their feet mutilated. Maybe because of behavioral issues?


The toe was deformed, a birth defect from what she said, and the claw was becoming ingrown. It had to be removed or her kitty would lose the whole toe, paw, or worse. This was the only toe that was done, even though the vet offered to "do 'em all while he was at it."

I would deem that as being medically necessary. That is if the Dr was telling the truth, and not just wanting to declaw all the cats toes because of it

Even with a compromised immune system, a person can become scratched by the cat's back legs, or bitten because of increased aggression (which is worse since the cats mouth harbors so much bacteria). Nail caps could be an option, or trying to find rescue groups, not necessarily animal shelters. A bunch of rescue groups out there are anti-declaw and might jump at the chance to help out in a situation like that.

[Gracie]

It's cruel. I think most people don't understand what is involved in the procedure, or the long-term effects on the cat.

[mountainvegan]

Hmmm...I don't have a cat, but I was not aware that declawing was that bad. I don't think many people are aware of the negative side of it. I'm glad I read this thread - very informative. When I read the question, I was neutral. After reading this thread, I voted anti. Thanks for the info! :)

[VeggiTash]

I didn't realise this happened (at least not a great deal, anyway). Here's my opinion...

A cat is a cat, and nothing else. A cat has eyes, ears, a tail and fur. And of course claws. If people don't want an animal with claws don't have a cat. It's selfish to change an animal for your personal benefit. It's like shaving off an animal's fur because it molts too much.

Some people de-voice parrots, too <*insert annoyed / angry smiley here*> if they can't handle the loudness of a parrot, don't have one!!

[epski]

I declawed cats when I was younger and didn't know better. My current feline companion has all of her claws, thank you very much. Maybe vets shouldn't allow it as an option.

[vegankittykat]

I agree with Flower that it should be outlawed. How any respectable vet could purposely cause lifetime pain and suffering to a cat is beyond me. I guess $$$$ is the bottom line, as usual.

[kirkjobsluder]

In general, I'm anti with one exception. Somehow my grandmother's sweet little cat turned into 17 lbs. of muscle-packed aggression. And I'm not kidding here, this was a cat that was more aggressive than any cat any of us had ever seen or heard of in a combined family memory of 100 years of cats. After doing a really great job of tearing open her leg (and we are not talking a play scatch here, this cat was going for a serious mauling) we were left with a set of uncomfortable choices. Declawing was an uncomfortable compromise between euthanizing it or living in fear of it.

[SilverC]

I'm against declawing, for all the reasons already mentioned. Declawing is extremely painful. Jim O is right, the pain associated with spays/neuters is nothing compared to what declaws have to go through. I had two cats in today that had had declaws 2 days ago. They were in really bad shape, trembling, hunched over, paws bleeding. It's not pretty.

Every one at my clinic is anti-declawing, and we try to convince owners not to have it done. What really pisses me off is people who haven't even tried any behaviour modification, or clipping the nails once a month, or even buying a frigging scratching post. Furniture should not be more important that your cat!

[grain_girl]

My kitty did a number on our doors and carpets before we finally got around to getting him a scratching post. (our fault for waiting so long to get him one) But, who cares? It's called life. Cats claw your furniture, your kids spill cereal all over the floor, your in-laws bug you... Life, life, life.

So, yeah, I'm definitely against declawing. What a horrible thing to do to another living being! And for the sake of an inanimate object. (i.e., furniture) :rolleyes:

[SuicideBlonde]

I said "depends on the situation,". I know a great one. My mother in law(who is wonerful) Adopted a kitten that was used in animal abuse and thrown at someones door (horriable story). The poor baby was only a few weeks old when that happened and was not certin to live. Well it lived but is blind, has brain dammage and has sezuries(sp). She had to be declawed and her teeth filed down because of that.

[Muzicfan]

my first cat is declawed, cause 10 years ago, it was kinda necessary for the place I was living in. I did not want to be without my companion, just cause he had claws. When I got my youngest kitty, the vet shied away from it, stating they only do it if the cat can not be trained to change certain behaviors. Some apt. complexes dont necessarily specify that the cat needs to be declawed. If they do ask.. who says I need to tell them one way or the other.. I know that is bad, but I would rather tell a fib about my kitty then lose her cause of the apt complex rules.

I think it depends on the situation, I would try not too, but I know there are times when you need to think about it.

[*sprout*]

im very anti declawish
its totally unnessesary
i hate when people say that they declawed their cat because it was ruining the furniture
AAHH THEN DONT GET A CAT :mad:

[barelysaidhello]

I am also anti Declaw! I have two cats. Both we adopted from the Humane society. Both were 6 months old when we got them. One has claws and the other we did not get until 2 days after they declawed and neutered him. I wish we would have been there sooner to find our dear love because his paws looked HORRIBLE. They were still bleeding days after the declawing. Students in training did the declawing. After seeing our kitty with swollen paws and in pain I would NEVER think about doing that to a cat. I knew I wouldn't before but that reinforced my feelings on it. After much babying our sweet cat healed but it was horrible.

[Hollywood]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by epski
[B]I declawed cats when I was younger and didn't know better.

OMG!!!! are you a vet. :(

[1vegan]

I am very, very anti declawing.

(I try to keep the thread clean)