Do you think declawing a cat is cruel?

Its ok if you should have an indoor cat, but a real cat has claws. And the cat wont be hurt because their claws is like our nails pure nails and no nerves.

Think really hard about this decision. Let me tell you what happened to my mother's ex-boss' pet called Spunkie. He had her for like 12-15 years and always kept her inside and yes, he declawed her. A few years ago, he started letting her out. One day he left her out overnight and she got into a fight with another cat. That cat killed her. Spunkie could not defend herself because she had no claws. So think really hard about your decision--will you EVER let your pet outside? If so then DON'T declaw her/him--for she may need to defend herself if you are not around. J

Well, I'm definitely a minority here, but when my Lucky was three months old we got her declawed on her front paws only. We had it done the same day we got her fixed because our landlord wouldn't let us have her without it and she was an abused kitten. No way I was going to let her stay in that position, so my option was to get her declawed and keep her inside. She was so young when we got it done that she was up and around in no time, there was very minimal bleeding, and she didn't seem to give a hoot. She is almost five now and she is my super lovable extremely happy fur-child who doesn't want to go outside, so she doesn't even try when a door is open. I don't agree with getting an older cat declawed. My mom's boyfriend's cat was declawed when she was 10 weeks old and she's another one that was up and around quickly after it. Even my vet said we were doing good by having it done early because we'd notice very little impact on her. As I said though, I would never have it done to a cat beyond them being a small kitten because I can imagine that it would definitely impact them in a negative way after being so used to having them and in being bigger, it takes them longer to recover.

It is very cruel! That is the cats only defense if ever outside. I have never declawed any of my cats and never will. If you have problems with them scratching furniture, etc...use a spray bottle with water in it and squirt them lightly. A few times of that and they learn not to scratch what they shouldn't. The water won't hurt them and most cats don't like getting wet. I trained all my cats that way and never had torn up furniture! Providing them there own scratching post will help also.

Yes i think its cruel and i would imagine that it does hurt them. Its true thats there defense system just in case they need to use them. Lets say your cat did get out..how on earth would it survive without its claws?? Its cruel and should only be done if really neccesary.

Well, to be brutally honest, it is going to hurt the cat. Ripping nails out of your nail beds probably wouldn't feel the best either, am I right? The cat will get over it, and contrary to what others say, not hold a grudge against you. I don't think it's cruel, as much as necessary for keeping a house free of shredding and clawing.

Of course its cruel, try doing it to yourself and see how you get on with your daily life without any fingers. It unnecessary.

I dont think its cruel just unessasary. I suposse indore cats dont need them. But if you have an outside cat and get it declawed you nime as well say good buy. It wont be able to protect itself or climb a tree. And no it dosent hurt them. They are put to sleep while the claws are removed.

Yes, I think it's extremely cruel. The happiness of my cat means more to me than my furniture as it can be replaced - his happiness can't. He has been destructive, but we've also managed to train him fairly well and he loves his scratch poles. I'd say if a cat was born with claws then it was for a very very good reason. Why play god and remove them just for the sake of the furniture? How perfectly shallow.

Its not really cruel per se but it is stupid... what happens if your cat gets outside and is attacked by another animal? It will have no claws to defend his/herself! so this poor kitten will get shreaded to pieces because someone declawed him/her

i think it will hurt them but its really not that cruel... its just that, let the cats take it off or file it off by themselves, its part of their nature...

Most vets only declaw the front paws...if you do all four, it will mess up the cat's ability to function. Otherwise, I'm torn. I had my kittens declawed, but the vet did it at the same time they were being fixed, so they only had to have one surgery!

Yes, I think it's cruel. Imagine going to the Dr. and having each of your fingernails ripped out. It's cruel and seems extremely painful. You are also taking away your cats natural form of defense. Imagine if they get out of the house. How will they defend themselves? I think if a person doesn't like the fact that cats have claws then they shouldn't get a cat.

I would never declaw my cats. Yes it is cruel. Very much so. I buy scratching post and cat houses covered in carpet and rope and cover them with cat nip regularly so they know that is where they are supposed to scratch. It is the one place they do not get yelled at for clawing. I have the right and ability to defend myself and I don't think I should have the right to take that ability away from another living creature.