Declawing -The facts, Would you have it done?
By mandykaren
@mandykaren (2040)
July 16, 2008 7:18am CST
why do many people have cats if not prepared to accept all their natural actions, like the clawing..
there is many that decide to have their cats claws removed just for their own convenience to save thier furniture and carpet from being clawed up.and seems to be much an American thing (is it still? ).. some European countries have made it illegal because it is inhumane
Do you agree with it or thought about having it done? if so maybe you change your mind after you know the facts.
having a cat declawed is serous surgery.. the claw is not like a normal nail, its so close to the bone that the bone has to be removed as well so therefore its an amputation of the last joint of the cats toes :( the surgery and the recovery is a painful one. A cat still needs to use his feet, to walk, jump, play, using litter tray and obviously will still try to scratch as its natural.. Wheelchair is not an option for a cat..
Being without its front claws changes a cats personality and not for the better, can make a cat distressed and feel insecure, The front claws is a cats primary defense..
How can any cat lover put a cat through all that surgery
Have you heard of this before? i come across it some time back when i was looking up information about cats and it REALLY upset me.. Do you agree or know of anyone that has had their cat put through such surgery? is it legal in your country?
3 people like this
10 responses
@redboy1903 (8)
• Turkey
16 Jul 08
i havent got any cat... but i like cats... sometimes i hate cats.. speacially front of cam..the cats can hide somethings..but the cats nevr speak but its can do everythng... u can play with it...it can make u happy...i like cats.. i think,ing take a cat for my house...
@mandykaren (2040)
•
16 Jul 08
thanks for the response heheh.. i presume when you talking of cat in front of cam, you be referring to its big bushy cute tail wagging back n forth over the cam hahahahha.. yes you did miss much.. Was funny ;) she jealous cat you know haha
@redboy1903 (8)
• Turkey
16 Jul 08
ye i know... she didnt go anywere..she just hide u with tail... haha .. it was so funny and angry for me...but i love cats..alwasy...i ll do love her:D
@mandykaren (2040)
•
16 Jul 08
aww love her eh.. now maybe i am jealous hhahaha so anyway do you agree or disagree a owner having their cats claws totally removed by surgery for their own selfish reasons? your view on it please
@cmathias12 (1025)
• Armed Forces Canada, Europe, Middle East
1 Sep 08
I do not know of any one who has had that done but I have heard of it. We have two cats. We recently bought new leather coaches and of course our cats were very attracted to them. So I called the vet and told them that we were having this problem and I did not want them to be declawed because I know that they claw to leave their scent on things and this is their home also. I did not know how exstensive the surgery was but if I ever hear of anyone considering that operation, I will definately give them the facts! That is terrible. Anyway the vet told me I could buy soft paws for our cats. All it is, is a sort of press on nail that goes over their claws. They said some cats do not like it but my do not mind it. If they did we would find another option because our cats are apart of our family. Thanks for the extra info on the surgery.
1 person likes this
@mandykaren (2040)
•
1 Sep 08
that is great, you found an alternative to mutilating your pets 
cats need their claws for many reasons, climbing, contentment, defense (apparently with no claws as first line of defense they turn into biters) oh and balance..
My cat never damages anything anymore, she used to love the stair carpet, but i put her scratching post near it, also fixed adhesive tape to stair so was too smooth lol AND if you tick them off, with a stern NO.. after a while they learn
i found this site and it explains declawing and also the complications that can happen during or after surgery.. Seems to declaw you are putting your cat at a big health risk.. http://www.downbound.co.uk/Declawing_Cats_s/249.htm
thankyou for the response
cats need their claws for many reasons, climbing, contentment, defense (apparently with no claws as first line of defense they turn into biters) oh and balance..
My cat never damages anything anymore, she used to love the stair carpet, but i put her scratching post near it, also fixed adhesive tape to stair so was too smooth lol AND if you tick them off, with a stern NO.. after a while they learn
i found this site and it explains declawing and also the complications that can happen during or after surgery.. Seems to declaw you are putting your cat at a big health risk.. http://www.downbound.co.uk/Declawing_Cats_s/249.htm
thankyou for the response 
@applefreak (3130)
• Singapore
17 Jul 08
i will NEVER declaw a cat. it is ridiculous to declaw a cat. it is like amputated a child's fingers so that he/she won't get to mischief. who in their right mind will do that? to me, if you don't want to have your furniture/carpet scratched, don't get a cat. the cat is better off without a 'owner' like this. i read about the whole surgery before and i was really sad. 
i can't imagine the pain the cat must go through. claws are their natural defence mechanism. how are they going to cling on if they happen to lose their balance? how are they going to protect themselves if ever the need arises? it is total madness to even think about it!!!
1 person likes this
@mandykaren (2040)
•
18 Jul 08
thank you for sharing your views and glad you against it also:)) i also see it on Internet, and at time i wished i hadn't looked, it was disgraceful and sickened me..
Cat must suffer a great deal afterwards, mentally also
All you said is absolutely right, thanks:)
@sassygirlanne007 (4517)
• United States
18 Jul 08
I was accualy considering getting my indoor cat declawed to save on cost when moving into a new apartment. But when I found out how expensive it is that's what made me think twice. But also what you mentioned I did not know before hand.
1 person likes this
@mandykaren (2040)
•
18 Jul 08
Well i am glad you changed your mind, (even if was only due to the cost) a cat has no say and just so unfair, cat can not say sorry for clawing furniture and dont know are doing anything wrong until you teach them, like a child.. so don't go punishing by putting it through so much pain of surgery.. There is no going back once done.. The cats personality would change a lot..
Well seems like this discussion was well worth doing if i manage to save one cat from being declawed :)) thank you for the response
@alkurishy (2068)
• Iraq
16 Jul 08
I don't have cat in my home, but there are a cats near the home and I feed them always because I love cats, but don't like the hair that they leave on the cloths and hands after they come near you.
Have a nice day, and good earning.
1 person likes this
@mandykaren (2040)
•
17 Jul 08
hehe.. feed a cat and it will keep coming back to you lool thanks for response
1 person likes this
@littlepinoy (600)
• Philippines
17 Jul 08
I dont have cats., but we used to feed cats that visit our homes. then they keep coming back and bringing friends and bear their kittens. Anyways, I never thought about declawwing or how serious it could be.
There's no legal rights for cats in our country as far as I know. [stray] Cats are shot when found stealing foods.
1 person likes this
@mandykaren (2040)
•
17 Jul 08
wow shot? gosh, cats are survivors and will get food where they can.. You can only blame the owner if needing to steal food to live -___-
1 person likes this
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I agree with you. Most pet owners don't realize exactly what they are doing to their cat when they have it declawed. Thanks for sharing this information. I have had many cats in the past but never had them declawed. It's not hard to make them a scratching post and train them to use it. Cats need their claws for balance and not being able to walk and jump naturally can be distressing for the cat.
I never understood why people would get pets and then get upset when their dog or cat would act like a dog or cat! They're like children, they need to be taught appropriate behavior. There are way too many animals in shelters because the owners got them but then didn't want to deal with natural behaviors and take time to train and socialize the animal correctly. I don't blame shelters for being so picky about who adopts their animals; they just want to find them a good home and not see them returned to the shelter by lazy owners.
@mandykaren (2040)
•
16 Jul 08
thanks very much for reading and responding to this:)) i am really glad you against it also.. and all you said is totally right.. i seen how my cat was with her only having stitches and wearing a kind of lamp on head so she wouldn't bite bite the stitches, and that made her depressed just cos she couldn't clean herself.. another natural thing of a cat.. She was so so sad i wanted to remove it..
i have scratching post where she would like to claw.. cats are habit cats and go to same place every time:)
1 person likes this
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
27 Aug 08
Hi Karen
its really a NEWS to me, i never knew that
may be coz i dont have pets
but if i look at it, its both have merits and demerits
if u look at cat point of , its deinetly not natural
but if u look at human point of view then it look ok
as other than effecting carpets, bed sofa, it can scratch ur body or kid body
and as its cannine so it got germs tooo
i am not sure its legal or not as i dont think we have some PET regulations
Take care
@cupid74 (11388)
• Pakistan
28 Aug 08
Hi Karen
i do understand what u want to say,sure dogs have clawas as well as teeth, and sure dangerous, but i think most of dogs are not THAT Mobile. but have u seen any kids hurt by pet dog
well to avoud such problem, why dont have no Pet or some golden Fish
Take care
@mandykaren (2040)
•
28 Aug 08
yes i known a pet dog to attack a child due to an illness, it was a Labrador.. we all know they the most softest of dogs... i have a cat not declawed and no problems, she nibbles with mouth but never claws at all.. and none of my cats have. the child has to be real nasty to a cat for it to lash out or il treated to use its claws.. believe me a cat keeps its claws in a lot of the time.. you obviously dont know much about animals apart from gold fish lol
@mandykaren (2040)
•
27 Aug 08
ok you are making some points here for and against and thats fine
first of all, its nice to see this discussion come back to life, as i think its a good one and all should be aware of this as i am a cat lover..
now, have you seen the damage a dog can do to a child?? it is not pretty and child is deformed for life... But, you don't have a dogs teeth removed.. dogs can make much damage in a home also
as i see it.. before buying any pet, you should consider everything..claws is part of a cats character and its only defense against other animals that may attack it.. it needs its claws like we need fingers.. my kids were brought up with cats, and i always taught them to not put their faces near a cat and always wash hands afterwords and so on.. There is many methods that can be used rather then putting a cat through such a awful operation and the mental effects it must have on cat, i hate to think.
thanks for sharing your view
first of all, its nice to see this discussion come back to life, as i think its a good one and all should be aware of this as i am a cat lover..
now, have you seen the damage a dog can do to a child?? it is not pretty and child is deformed for life... But, you don't have a dogs teeth removed.. dogs can make much damage in a home also
as i see it.. before buying any pet, you should consider everything..claws is part of a cats character and its only defense against other animals that may attack it.. it needs its claws like we need fingers.. my kids were brought up with cats, and i always taught them to not put their faces near a cat and always wash hands afterwords and so on.. There is many methods that can be used rather then putting a cat through such a awful operation and the mental effects it must have on cat, i hate to think.
thanks for sharing your view 
@TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
30 Aug 08
It's illegal in Israel. Even before it was illegal my vet didn't do it. He's even reluctant to remove a damaged or funky claw unless it's causing the cat discomfort and there is no solution or other choice.
@mandykaren (2040)
•
1 Sep 08
i am glad to hear it is illegal even where it is legal many vets refuse to declaw a cat, it is insane and i just can not believe how many can even consider it..
This what i read recently
'Declawing involves 10 separate, painful amputations. It is a serious surgery, not just a manicure. The British Veterinary Associations calls declawing an “unnecessary mutilation. Indeed, it is illegal in Germany and other parts of Europe.
And also if think it makes a cat mellow and safer around babies, it is far from true, as loosing their first line of defense, makes them biters..
I wonder if people would declaw a pedigree cat? unlikely since it would loose its value
thanks very much for your responses here
even where it is legal many vets refuse to declaw a cat, it is insane and i just can not believe how many can even consider it..
This what i read recently
'Declawing involves 10 separate, painful amputations. It is a serious surgery, not just a manicure. The British Veterinary Associations calls declawing an “unnecessary mutilation. Indeed, it is illegal in Germany and other parts of Europe.
And also if think it makes a cat mellow and safer around babies, it is far from true, as loosing their first line of defense, makes them biters..
I wonder if people would declaw a pedigree cat? unlikely since it would loose its value
thanks very much for your responses here @TheCatLady (4691)
• Israel
1 Sep 08
I love giving my cats foot massages. They stick their little claws out and wrap them around my finger and act like they are in heaven.
@mandykaren (2040)
•
1 Sep 08
that is so sad.. I have Persian, and she never claws anywhere anymore.. she did get to love the upright edge of the bottom stair for a while, id put the scratching post there, then also tried sticky smooth tape, also a good firm NO RUBY, BAD RUBY.. she would go away with her ears back haha, after a while she stopped doing it.. Strange but she has NEVER ever clawed at the furniture..
Anyway there is far safer alternative methods to mutilation.. And no way you could have declawed cats with your other cats..
BTW, i love my cats claws lol, when touch her paws and she brings them out, its cute and when she has a good ole contented stretch and claws come out hehe
@ivy999 (1)
• United States
26 Aug 08
I have had two cats declawed and the cats had no side effects and lived long, healthy lives.
People writing against declawing never mention the large number of cats that are tossed out of their owner's house or given up for adoption (and then maybe put to sleep if they can't find a home) because the pets were destroying the furniture and carpeting. Also, what about the cats that are spanked each and every day because they don't use their scratching post and instead scratch the furniture. I would say their quality of life is lacking, wouldn't you?
A declawed cat doesn't have to worry about being given away or spanked and yelled at constantly but can instead live a comfortable and happy life. That is well worth a little pain for a day.
@mandykaren (2040)
•
27 Aug 08
hmm well in the cases of people that do that to a cat because of its behavior should never have cats in the first place.. they were given the claws for a reason, same as we are given fingers.. Would you have a childs fingers amputated because he/she kept drawing all over your walls and furniture???
i have a cat, and yes she would claw at the carpet, my mums did the same thing, but we would try to use other methods then either declawing or spanking the cat.. Anyway spanking dont last a life time, unlike declawing..
If don't like the way cats are then why have one? why not have a dog instead, a small one
thanks for responding
@mandykaren (2040)
•
27 Aug 08
why dont you watch this about declawing why shouldnt it be done and alternative methods to declawing a cat..
http://www.videojug.com/film/feline-de-clawing-alternatives
