I know this is a hot topic, and I know the procedure and everything-I am curious on how many people got there cat's declawed........

None of my 3 are declawed. Any other cats I've ever had have been declawed.

I didn't really know much about it until right before we got Maui- I decided to get online and read about it and that's when I realized what exactly it entails. It's been tough with them having their nails, but we're all dealing :)

I have never had one that was declawed (done by me, or gotten already done) My mother didn't believe in having it done, (cost too much, plus they were allowed out) So I have never thought about declawing, when I found out what it does, I was glad, I never have (or will) I breed cats, and the new owner has to sign a contract that they will not declaw any cat or kitten from my cattery. (I also give them info in it, so mabey they won't ever do it to any cat they have :) )

I know this is a hot topic, and I know the procedure and everything-I am curious on how many people got there cat's declawed........

Another point I never see mentioned on this is that you cannot show cats that are declawed, not that I am interested in hauling my cat around for show, but just a thought that some may have not considered.

I would never de-claw my cats. I also want to mention, that it is illegal in other countries. I am originally from Germany, where de-clawing is considered cruelty to animals.

I would never de-claw my cats. I also want to mention, that it is illegal in other countries. I am originally from Germany, where de-clawing is considered cruelty to animals.


I'd have to agree that it is cruelty. Only when the human having the declawing done is ready to have all their fingers cut off at the first knuckle should they be allowed to have their cat de-clawed IMO.

Nope, none of mine are decalwed, and my parents cats are not declawed. My step mom's cat that she had when she married my dad was declawed, and he was the perfect example of the BAD side effects of declawing, he was NASTY! She learned what the procedure entailed and when we got our next cats swore never to do it. I will never do it to any of my cats, ever.

none of mine are declawed and it is infact illegal here in Australia. I didnt even know about declawing until I joined TCS.

Even if it wasnt illegal, I would never do it

Nope, would never have my kitties declawed, and have actually never been around a cat that was declawed

I think declawing is cruel and heartless.

I am on a dog forum and tried desperately to convince a fellow member not to declaw her kitten. Shes doing it anyway because they cat is scratching her carpet. :( How vain is that?

She wont even try soft claws because the cat is too hyper and wont stay still long enough for them to be applied...whatever

I will NEVER declaw a cat. Never. I cant imagine performing such a cruel surgery.

The thing is, many vets offer a discount, or package price for speutering and declawing the same day. I dont know how they can promote that kind of stuff.

I don't think the question is quite accurate for what you want to find out. Puppy is declawed, but he wasn't declawed by us.

I don't know anyone personally that declaws, but I have met people that do so. IMO, these people are doing it because they are more concerned with their furniture than their cats welfare. People who think like this are also more likely to abandon their animal when they no longer have use for the animal or can't get their new apartment because of the animal. Puppy was abandonded by his owners.

I also have a friend that homed her two cats for a year with a family when she moved far away temporarily. She came back to find them both declawed. This was not her choice at all, and she wasn't even notified of it.

Point being, I don't think this poll will accurately what it is that you are looking for.

I advertised for a declawed cat since this was my first 'in house cat' and I owned antiques.

Gizmo was front declawed some time ago by her previous owner, and she is a happy cat with one strong grip!

2 are, 2 aren't. i voted yes, but i really needed to vote both ways.

I find it unnecessary. Both of my cats are trained to use a scratching post, their scratching rug, and a Turbo Scratcher. It was extremely easy to train them and they learned fast.

Neither of my boys are declawed. I was doing to have Harley declawed, until I joined TCS and everyone here was so helpful in showing me the facts. :heart3: I really didn't know any different until then.

You have no "other" option.
I have not had any of my cats declawed, but 4 of the 6 came to us as declaws, one of which is a 4 paw.

My cats are not and will not be declawed. That sick kitten that we found at work and gave to a co-worker, she had him declawed. I felt so badly because I feel like I gave her the cat and she didn't talk it over with me (it was her cat, she really didn't have to) before she did it, because she knew I would object.

I understand the need to keep good furniture looking great, but I have second-hand furniture because I have cats. I am willing to work around my babies, not force them into a mold that I want them in.

My cats are more important than furniture or carpeting. I do think declawing is barbaric.

My first cat, Mitten was declawed. But that was before I knew what they really did and my mom/dad told me if I wanted to keep the cat, he had to be declawed.

After declawing I cried when he attempted to get in the litter pan with bandaged feet. Mitten was an exception to most declawed cats - he never was adversly affected - he was outgoing, used the litter box and still caught birds/rabbits/squirrels when declawed.

After I found out what declawing was, NONE of my cats ever got declawed again. I usually tell people that they should try EVERY method of training the cat and leave declawing as a very last resort. HOWEVER, if they chose to have it done - then they should be responsible for the cat for its entire life - that means do not dump the cat in a shelter or give it away to another if it starts biting more or refuses to use the pan. YOU created those problems that didn't exist before the declawing, so you are responsible.

BTW I had in my kitten contacts for my rexes that they were not to be declawed.

I have 6 cats right now and none of them are declawed. All my elderly cats that passed on to the bridge have never been declawed. I will not declaw my cats.

LOL We make bets on how long a couch will last!!! I work around my cats also! They rule!!!! I do cover the nice chairs with blankets and afghans. They have lasted a long time. The couch is the sacrifice to the cats.

My cats are way more important than a material piece of furniture... The couch can be replaced!!

My cats will choose a couch over a scratch post anyday!!

I was thinking a futon maybe the next thing we try!!!:lol3:

No declaws here. It's not done over here anyway and is considered animal abuse. Like someone else said earlier - I didn't even know what declawing was until I joined here. I wouldnt have it done anyway as I could never consider my furniture more important than my cats.

I wish the US could be civilized. No declawing, no cropping, no docking...ah, to dream.

Question to the UK/overseas people. I know that you all don't crop ears, but do you dock tails? Like in the doberman and boxer breeds?

Question to the UK/overseas people. I know that you all don't crop ears, but do you dock tails? Like in the doberman and boxer breeds?

No tail docking in Australia.

My 7 cats all have their claws, I'd never heard of declawing until I came to Canada. I was horrified when I found out what it is.

I have never had a cat declawed and never will. Gryphon and Nibs (both RB now) came to us declawed -- and thankfully, they did not suffer any behavioural problems as a result of the declawing, but that would never be a justification for doing this to a cat.

Question to the UK/overseas people. I know that you all don't crop ears, but do you dock tails? Like in the doberman and boxer breeds? Sadly, tail docking is still carried out, although opposition to it seems to have increased in recent years and it's not uncommon to see spaniels, boxers etc. with undocked tails. The new animal welfare bill (2006) aimed to ban tail docking but an overall ban was narrowly voted against. Instead it looks like there will be an exemption for working dogs, although it will be illegal to dock for cosmetic purposes. I'm totally against docking. I think the situation with docking is different to the declawing of cats in that it's done at such a young age. It's therefore breeders, rather than the general public, who need to be educated about it.

to keep the first cat i ever had, my mom made me declaw, the front.
kitty was with me for 13 years, she came from the local apl and was about to be put to sleep.....howver any vet that willing does all 4 should be shoot. :onfire:

so what better a long happy life where she was loved, and still missed or to let her die?

however non of my other cats have been declawed ,and non of them ever will again.

My three are not declawed. They have ripped one chair to shreds but I bought a new scratching post and a slipcover and now all is well. I don't really even clip claws anymore. They seem to do their thing fine on the post and the scratchy box.

I would never declaw any of my cats, and kittens go under a NO DECLAW contract, or it voids a 4 year health guarantee. There is so many safe alternatives to declawing, that anyone thinking of declawing should educate themselves on the procedure and what they can do to prevent the mutilation of a kitten/cats feet.

I have an Old English Sheepdog, which is a breed that does tail docking. I have done many years of research on the breed, which included information on tail docking. IMO, which comes from facts, is that if tail docking is done approximately 3 days after birth, the puppy, has not yet developed nerve endings, so the procedure is painless. It also carries very low risk for infection. However, I do not agree with docking past the 3-4 day mark.
The origin of tail docking was never about cosmetics, but to prevent taxing on a working dog. I do feel that it is now carried out because of cosmetic reasons, as well, for ease, the owner doesn't have to worry about a tail clearing the table.:) I grew up with an Old English Sheepdog, and would love the breed just as much with or without a tail.
I don't know enough about ear cropping to comment on it. I don't know why it was originally started, and if there was a reason for it, other than cosmetic.
I would love to see declawing banned here in the US.

I had a boxer, and when he was a couple days old the tail had already been docked. I did have his ears cropped, I probley wouldn't again, I like it that way, so I would get a rescue with it already done.
I worked with a woman who told me I was cruel and shouldn't be aloud to have dogs, and on and on this lady went, and this lady had a house full of declawed cats! How can some one feel ok with ripping all of their cats toes off at the first knuckle to stop it from sratching a couch, but think taking a little flap of skin off the ears is cruel? Her explanation, I had no reason, and she did, ears are cosmetic, and declawing saved the couch, LOL!
I would have my dogs tail docked. It is done at such a young age there is no nerve ending. Plus how many have heard of dogs having behavioural issues because of a docked tail OR cropped ears? I know most do dissagree with declawing, and will probley bite my head off because they don't agree with the docking either, LOL! but, that's ok, every one has an opionin.

Oh, this may sound kind of strange but has any one ever done or even heard of docking a cats tail? My man and I have a friend and his mother used to breed persians. She knew I started breeding my ragdolls, so were talking one day about things, like giving the shots (I did that with one litter, but decided to just do it at the vets, I didn't feel satisfied knowing that a vet hadn't seen them and given them a full health exam, so I just do it all at the vets (and now I do early altering, so they just get it all at once) Well her cat jumped on the table and she had no tail, I thought it was cute, and figured she was just born that way, but she said she docked the tails, I asked her about it, I never heard of vets doing it, and she said she just did it her self! she said she did dew claws as well, I was just so surprised, I don't think I could do some thing like that my self, as far as dogs, if I raised boxers I would bring them to the vet to do. Any way, the cat is a persian, has any one ever heard of docking a persian (or any cats) tail?

Nope, Trout is fully intact...well all except her "womanly" parts:lol3:

actually, ear cropping and tail docking can interefere with dog communication. Dog's ears are cropped, usually, during that critical socialization period and they aren't allowed to play with other dogs AND their ears hurt so they may have negative associations with new things.

Dogs tails are imporant for communication (duh) and with a "nub" you just can't communicate effectively not to mention the dogs scent glands are exposed all the time and may come off as being overly assertive. Perma-erect ears can have the same effect.

Mine are not declawed, none of my families cats have ever been declawed and nor will they ever be. It is completely cruel and inhumane, right up there with tail docking and ear cropping. Ear cropping just makes the dog look ridiculous, why do something for cosmetic reasons when it could have negative effects on the dog? And tail cropping, I know it used to be done for hunting dogs I think. But why? If there is a good reason and it is done right then perhaps that is alright. I can never figure out why dogs who are shown are supposed to have cropped ears but they can't be neutered...neutering is healthier and doesn't effect their appearance too much but ear cropping is totally unnatural and changes how they naturally look and yet it is required I think in the show world.

Anyways, getting off track, all my animals have their claws, full tails if they are meant to be there and their ears!

When I was a child we had a cocker spaniel with a docked tail. He was docked by the breeder at a few days old, of course, so it wasn't our choice. Tbh, I don't think any of us actually realised it was docked - we probably just thought that's what spaniels' tails were like. Now if I was buying a spaniel I would specify to the breeder that I wanted one without a docked tail. I don't like the idea of mutilating animals for our own convinience. I've never heard of docking a cat's tail.

None of my cats have ever been declawed, plus I live in the UK now where its illegal.

When we took my first kitten Snowy (my little sister five at the time) my Mom asked if they could clip his claws the vet the Arabic vet said he would do that but he would not declaw. We asked what that was and were horrified to find out what it invloved, he said that a lot of the American expats were leaving his practise because he refused to do the procedure. He also said that cats who had been declawed were much more likely to bite children and were very unhappy.

Unfortunatly an uncle of mine got his cat (Nina a beautiful black kitty) in New Jersey declawed without knowiing what it involved. We lived with him in the states during the Gulf War and remebering Nina as a very timid cat that did not like us children (we were not rough havinmg been exposed to cats for a long time) only my uncle. She always hid under the bed until my uncle came home from work.

Lucky (the unluckiest cat in the world) is my aunts cat (who lives in Virginia) who hates everybody she is also declawed and untrusting. My aunt again did not know what declawing was but after she bought her house the HOA made her declaw her cat. She wasn't even an outoor cat before the declawing (obviously she wasn't after it as well) so I don't know how whether their cat was declawed or not effected the HOA.:(

Declawing can cause problems for the cat, and it's unnecessary surgery. So no declawing for me or my cats. And, anyway, I prefer sturdy furniture--if they claw the furniture, they're likely to be clawing metal or plastic. A scratching post should be much more attractive than that.

But I don't agree with those people who say "NEVER adopt a declawed cat, or you are supporting declawing". Declawed cats are still cats--cats who've been hurt, mind you, but still cats--and they need homes, too. A declawed cat who's been dumped probably already has problems, and an experienced owner can be such a cat's saving grace.

It's so very mercenary to say "Don't adopt declawed cats". They're individuals--you don't ignore individuals for the sake of a cause. If you do, you lose sight of the individuals the cause is supposed to help in the first place.

Re. Tail docking: I've been told that dogs with very long, thin tails have their tails docked because when they wag them enthusiastically, they're likely to break their tails... I'm not sure whether this still applies, now that these dogs are usually pets instead of working breeds, though.

I have not had any of my cats declawed. IMO it is cruel to leave a cat defenseless. However Holly was already declawed when she came to me. It must have been done when she was a kitten and she doesn't have any problems. She is allowed to go outside, or she drives me nuts, and has been able to catch mice, birds, and even brought me a mole on Monday. Her paws aren't tender or sensitive. Even though Holly seems to have adapted well I still do not think it is something I would ever do to a cat. Holly is very trusting and loves children.

As for the docking of dogs tails. Dottie, the momma Aussie, already had her tail docked when she came to us. But since I had pick of the litter when I picked Maggie I insisted that she keep her tail. BOY! did I catch it from my husband and FIL. They are both old fashioned farmers and explained that the tail should be docked so that the dog wouldn't collect so may stickers and cockleburrs in thier tails while chasing cows from the brush. And my reply was that if God didn't have a purpose for Maggies tail then it wouldn't be there. Both dogs do just fine and it just takes a little more attention to get the stickers out of Maggie's tail. Besides the place they usually have the burrs in around thier neck.

*sick feeling* I didn't realize what it was until I read it on here. I just took our male cat in 2 days ago to have it done and to be fixed. I will never do that again. Our cat comes home tonight and I am about ready to cry after reading this. Carla :(

*sick feeling* I didn't realize what it was until I read it on here. I just took our male cat in 2 days ago to have it done and to be fixed. I will never do that again. Our cat comes home tonight and I am about ready to cry after reading this. Carla :(sweetie, don't cry :alright: i have 2 declawed cats, & have had 2 others previously - none ever had/have any problems at all. he'll probably be just fine. now you know, so your future pets will not be, like my other two. :hugs:

I am originally from Germany, where de-clawing is considered cruelty to animals.

I live in Spain....I am not sure about the law on de-clawing, but the Spanish think its weird if you have a cat-flap...............they leave cats out, my ex-boss used to go away for long weekends and leave her 4 cats to "look after themselves" :confused: she thought that was perfectly normal..........well until I came along, so now I´m the feeder, but she makes me feed them outside. So from all that I gather that they wouldnt even consider de-clawing.......and of course, it would mean spending money.............

none of my cats are declawed, never done it, never will !!

sweetie, don't cry :alright: i have 2 declawed cats, & have had 2 others previously - none ever had/have any problems at all. he'll probably be just fine. now you know, so your future pets will not be, like my other two. :hugs:

Thanks :) Makes me feel better to know be OK. I drove the vet nuts calling every hour till he was awake.

I have had neither of my girls declawed. Yes they scratch my furniture and yes they get me sometimes, but I'm willing to work and deal with that in order to keep them happy and healthy.

No, I have cats all my life and none of them have been declawed.
In fact the Vet I go to won't declaw cats.

I know this because I was in there one day and some Lady was having a fit because she wanted her cat declawed and they told her they were sorry but the Dr. didn't do that.
She told them she'd take her cats somewhere else and they told her that was up to her, but her cats would not be declawed there.

*sick feeling* I didn't realize what it was until I read it on here. I just took our male cat in 2 days ago to have it done and to be fixed. I will never do that again. Our cat comes home tonight and I am about ready to cry after reading this. Carla :(


Dont cry! We all make mistakes unfortunately :(

Im curious though, did the vet offer you a combo neuter/declaw? I HATE those type of things because they are promoting declawing to those unknowing owners. Heck, I think if I would have been offered a spay/declaw combo before Ceci, I would have said yes simply because i didnt know any better.

BTW, I would love to see Declawing banned in PR and the US. I dont so much mind cropping and docking (call me a monster but I like it). I adore a well bred pit bull with cropped ears (my dad owned a champion weight puller) or a great dane with a good crop.

A bit off topic, but I know a guy who owns a Great Dane (cropped) with 'tuxedo' (B&W) markings. He also owns a Boston Terrier and gets asked all the time if the Dane is the daddy and the Boston the daughter. He always tells them its the other way around: The boston is the mom...LOL

a link to The Top Reasons NOT to Declaw............

http://cats.about.com/od/declawing/tp/reasonsnot.htm

No, nope, never, uh-uh, not even if you paid me.

It is not that hard to re-train your cat -- if I can do it, with a brain-damaged, hyperactive cat, I think anyone can do it. ;)

Seriously, though, nothing I own is worth putting my kitties through that kind of pain. I can replace shredded furniture (not that I have any, but you get the picture); I can't replace Spike or Oz.

Reeses isn't declawed and my wife and I will never have her declawed. I always knew that it wasn't always the best idea but never knew what it "actually" was. I did some research and after finding out that basically it's amputation, I refuse.

She's been really good so far, she doesn't really scratch anything. She'll claw at closet doors trying to get in and what not but I haven't noticed any damage. We even have 2 leather couches and I haven't noticed any damage. There was one spot I thought she did, but after examination I think it was there when we moved into the house (couches came with). She doesn't even really get on them and if she does she jumps off pretty gently.

Neither of my cats are delawed, and none of my future cats will be. I consider it cruel. My mom wanted to have my cats declawed but I am soo glad we researched it first and found out how cruel it is.

*sick feeling* I didn't realize what it was until I read it on here. I just took our male cat in 2 days ago to have it done and to be fixed. I will never do that again. Our cat comes home tonight and I am about ready to cry after reading this. Carla :(

Awww you poor thing, I feel for you. It is illegal here, but I believe that in some places it is almost treated like routine surgery, along with spaying/neutering. If a vet told sold declawing to you as the right thing to do, or as a package deal, then I blame the vet, not you.

Blessings to you and your kitty, and vibes for a full and speedy recovery for him. I am sure he will be fine.

In answer to the original question, I would not even have an option of getting a cat declawed, so the answer is that my cat is fully clawed. And don't I know it when he's due for a manicure ;)

I had salem and ailey declawed before i found out what the procedure actually did and i am so sorry for putting them through that. i feel awful that i let someone hurt my babies that i love so much. i recommend to everyone that gets a cat and even suggest that they might want to get their kitty declawed that the look it up and research it before they make a decision. i have saved a couple of my friends kittys from this horrible mutilation although it doesnt change what i did. merlin was declawed when i adopted him from the humane society i sadly had to vote yes :(

I put no ... but I needed the both

Kandie was declawed over 18 yrs ago as an 11 yr old me lost the battle ... She is a hunter with a very WEIRD to MEAN disposition....

Zoey just gets clopped when her semi feral mind thinks it okay to have momhold and cut her nails:)

Awww you poor thing, I feel for you. It is illegal here, but I believe that in some places it is almost treated like routine surgery, along with spaying/neutering. If a vet told sold declawing to you as the right thing to do, or as a package deal, then I blame the vet, not you.

I wish it was illegal here. Unfortunetly we received no advice from the vet either way. When we asked about getting him fixed and declawed all we got was a 'yes we do that'. We assumed the declawing was a simple procedure. We will not be going back to this vet again.

My boyfriend was just as upset as I was last night when I got home with Hobbes from the vet; Hobbes is a pitiful mess. I think we slept a total of 4 hours if that much. Hobbes was hurting and he kept giving us these pitiful meows. At about 4 am Hobbes finally fell into a deep sleep in the crook of my boyfriends arm with his sore paws stretched out on my boyfriends chest. The vet told me when I picked him up that he wouldn't need any pain medicine but he sits like a rodent on his hind legs cause it hurts to much to rest the front ones on the ground.

We have one cat left who still has her claws, but we have both agreed to simply clip them with the cat nail clippers. Its suppose to be pain free. This way she won't be able to beat up on my other babies that don't have claws. Thanks for all the encouragement, Carla :heart3:

We have one cat left who still has her claws, but we have both agreed to simply clip them with the cat nail clippers. Its suppose to be pain free. This way she won't be able to beat up on my other babies that don't have claws. Thanks for all the encouragement, Carla :heart3:my 2 declaws have no trouble 'holding their own' with my 2 clawed cats. my clawed cats also wear soft claws (http://www.thecatandkittenstore.com/servlet/the-Soft-Claws-Paws-Nail-Caps-for-Cats-and-Kittens/Categories) - but that's mainly to protect me & the furniture.

my cats are declawed. but they came to me that way. they were all adopted as adults, and had been declawed by previous owners.

Since this post started I have spent the last day or so calling different vets in my area. I called about 10, and asked about cropping and declawing. every one of those vets, when I asked about cropping, said we don't do "that" any more, and kind of snorted at me. But about 5 of those vets offer a declaw disscount with a spay, and the other 5 asked if I would be having a declaw with my spay today. ALL 10 do declawing! They offer it out like it's as routine as trimming nails or getting shots! But cropping isn't done? I think if only one is banned it should be declaws, I know most people feel both should, but if a vet doesn't mind mutalating paws, it wouldn't bother them to trim the ears a little.
How can we expect people to understand how cruel declawing is when many vets still offer it, and not only offer it but treat it as a rountine proceedure and give discounts for it. When people go to a vet that do this, they are being made to think it is something that gets done together. The vet just acts like it is done together, Are we having a spay/declaw?
I guess there is more money in amputating a cats toes then trimming a little off the ears? I can't see any other reason why a vet wouldn't crop, but will declaw. (I could understand if the same vets against cropping won't declaw, but to do the declaw?) Most people won't crop either, but come on, what would you rather see banned, if only one was, you would have to say ban declaws, right?

Most people won't crop either, but come on, what would you rather see banned, if only one was, you would have to say ban declaws, right?i would consider it a more mutilating & severe surgery, since most dogs don't walk on their ears.
maybe it's because cropping is purely cosmetic, whereas declaw is done for non-cosmetic reasons?

i would consider it a more mutilating & sever surgery, since most dogs don't walk on their ears.
maybe it's because cropping is purely cosmetic, whereas declaw is done for non-cosmetic reasons?



That may be why, I guess, because it IS a cosmetic thing. But, why do people declaw, I know it's not cosmetic, but it's only for convience of owners. I think it is way crueler personally. (to declaw)

We have one cat left who still has her claws, but we have both agreed to simply clip them with the cat nail clippers. Its suppose to be pain free. This way she won't be able to beat up on my other babies that don't have claws. Thanks for all the encouragement, Carla :heart3:

We use human nail clippers and do Bijou and Mika's paws about every 10 days. We've never had an issue of them scratching furniture. We made certain they had a scratching post and knew what it was for. To get them used to having their claws clipped we would often just sit and play with their paws while they sat with us. Also it's easier to do them when they are in half-sleep/relaxed mode. Don't worry much about the cat with claws hurting the one without - kitties without claws get very good at using their teeth and can defend themselves.

I need a "both" option in the poll.

Shadow and Midnight were both front declawed over 12 years ago. At the time I didn't know what declawing entailed but now that I do I will never, ever consider doing having it done to my babies. I feel horrible for having it done to them.

Everest and Charlotte were in a foster home from a very young age and were trained very well in using scratching posts. I keep a couple of different types around the apartment. Everest likes the corrugated cardboard insert in the scratcher attached to one of the doorways. I've also seen Shadow "going through the motions" with it. Charlotte likes the scratcher with the carpet inserts in them. She also likes to use the carpeting and area rugs on my floors.

I applaud the countries where this practice is illegal. It's cruelty and I wish the US would wake up and ban it.

Bryan

I was reading an article on how a lot of cats declawed abroad when surrender to shelters they end up being PTS because there not many indoor only homes in the UK. The article was refering to army families bringing the cats over from the states.

Here is the quote:
In Britain, very few cats are declawed except on medical grounds. Some cats belonging to families on American airbases are declawed, making them difficult to rehome if the need arises as relatively few British owners are geared to keeping an indoor-only cat. The British prohibition on declawing is not an indication that animal rights activists are trying to decrease pet ownership, nor are British cats mostly barn cats. Depriving a cat of its primary means of defence is simply considered cruel by the great majority of British cat owners. In return, British cat owners find it hard to comprehend how a "cosmetic" mutilation for the sake of the furniture can be considered humane in the USA.

http://www.messybeast.com/catsusuk.htm

i would consider it a more mutilating & severe surgery, since most dogs don't walk on their ears.
maybe it's because cropping is purely cosmetic, whereas declaw is done for non-cosmetic reasons?



I'd much rather see declaws banned, rather than cropping. Declawing IS a cosmetic surgery, and much more cosmetic than a crop. Cropping actually had a purpose when the breeds were working, but declawing? Is it not cosmetic to chop off their claws because you dont want your nice new rug to get messed up. I have a nice looking rug in my living room and I could care less if Ceci puts her claws into it every once in a while. I am not going to mutilate my cat just because I dont want my furniture to get messed up!

We've had 3 cats; all were adopted as declawed adults. I'm not sure when they were declawed. One (our first, Sassy) had been declawed on all 4 paws. :(

Our current cats, Teddy and PJ, are absolutely wonderful, sweet, amazing cats. We feel very lucky - they haven't had litterbox issues, or other personality issues related to their declaws (we think maybe they were declawed young, though we'll never know - the people who surrendered them left little information).

We have decided that if there is a choice, we will probably try to adopt declawed cats. We've found so many in local shelters and rescue groups that were just dumped there (of course, along with intact cats), but so many people don't adopt the declaws because they hear about potential problems.

I would never declaw a cat unless it was for a medical reason - but that being said, I will probably keep giving declawed cats a home for as long as I can.

:)

When I was little, I had a cat that my parents insisted on declawing. I didn't know much about declawing until I adopted Marcie a few months ago. There was this HUGE info packet that came with her and there was a ton of info about declawing and what exactly is involved. Marcie gets her little claws clipped when I feel that they are getting too sharp, but I will never get her declawed.

As for tail docking in cats, I have seen it done when medically necessary on a tail that was beyond repair, but I think that to cosmetically dock a tail on a cat would negatively interfere with balance.

I have been a proud Aussie mommy and I know that they get their tails docked because they are ranch dogs and since they work with livestock they are likely to get their tail stepped on by cows, sheep, horses and such. Also since their tails are so long and hairy, they end up dragging through mud and poop and all sorts of other unpleasant stuff which leads to matting and skin infections.

When I was little, I had a cat that my parents insisted on declawing.

I find more often then not, that as a young child, you usually loose an arguement like that. Back years ago, people didn't understand the procedure, and it was as common as spaying, so we can't feel bad about that, all we can do now as adults is try and educate people, so they know what it is exactly that is done to them and inform them on clipping nails or products like soft paws. (My mother never declawed, but that's because we had cats that went out, so even though it's better to keep them in, they at least could defend themselves, I think she was just too cheap to declaw them LOL, but atleast we had them fixed so they weren't out populating the neighborhood!)


As for tail docking in cats, I have seen it done when medically necessary on a tail that was beyond repair, but I think that to cosmetically dock a tail on a cat would negatively interfere with balance.

I have never heard of a cat needing it done medically, and until I saw that cat, never seen one be docked! I have since asked her about it, I was curious, she didn't do it because it "looked better" but because she had one that was sickly as a kitten and got runny poops all over it from the litter box. so she docked all her kittens (or the ones she kept, mabey, I don't know if she did them all that way and sold them docked?)I think it just as lousey of an excuse myself, but I do like a dog with a docked tail, and since it is done so young, who am I to say any thing. Cat/dog, I guess it doesn't matter, It's just not common with cats so I thought it was strange, but I guess it is no different then doing a dog, when it is done right. I guess?

My Duke is not, nor will he be declawed. Same for Ares, the kitten we'll be getting in December. Duke is an absolute NIGHTMARE when my husband and I try to trim his nails. You would think we were KILLING him! He hisses, spits, growls, SCREAMS! He is such a BRAT!!! *sigh* Now we just let the vet do it.

Duke is only six months old, and he uses the scratch post and carpeted house that my husband and I built for him. He actually goes straight to it, no matter where he is in the house. Sometimes, though, he scratches the side of the bed if I don't get up right away to feed him at 5am every morning:blush:

Anyway, I read up on it, and I feel its cruel and unecessary. And I think anyone who insists on declawing to protect their furniture should rethink getting a cat. BUT, I don't think anyone should compare it to humans by saying "try getting your fingertips cut off first" or anything like that. They could just as easily say you should try spaying/neutering yourself first, and then think about doing it to your cat! I think those procedures are cruel too, but unfortunately we HUMANS have made that a necessary evil. We have been terribly irresponsible in our relationship with domestic cats and the overpopulation problem is entirely our fault.

My husband and I took on the responsibility of having a male cat (soon to be two). Many neuter because they don't want them spraying. Well, if thats your only reason then you're no better than the person who declaws to protect their furniture. (this is the main reason most vets give for neutering, btw) So whats the solution? Let them outside and they're less likely to spray AND scratch your furniture. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there are cars, dogs, possibly diseased ferals and a multitude of other things that make allowing my babies outside a big No-No. When I took Duke in, I also took on the responsibility to look after his welfare. I couldn't do that if I had not neutered him. My husband and I talked long and hard about it and we reluctantly decided that it was for the best.

Anyway, that was OT a bit... Sorry:blush:

Tiffany

Nope... Not declawed,, and never will be..

All 3 girls are soft paws fans... And thye love their pretty nails... :blush:

Many neuter because they don't want them spraying. Well, if thats your only reason then you're no better than the person who declaws to protect their furniture. (this is the main reason most vets give for neutering, btw) So whats the solution? Let them outside and they're less likely to spray AND scratch your furniture. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there are cars, dogs, possibly diseased ferals and a multitude of other things that make allowing my babies outside a big No-No. When I took Duke in, I also took on the responsibility to look after his welfare. I couldn't do that if I had not neutered him. My husband and I talked long and hard about it and we reluctantly decided that it was for the best.


Tiffany

IMO, neutering is different because it benefits the cat. If he is not neutered, then he will be left with a lot of urges, as a result of his hormones, that cannot be fulfilled. I don't think spaying and neutering is at all cruel.

IMO, neutering is different because it benefits the cat. If he is not neutered, then he will be left with a lot of urges, as a result of his hormones, that cannot be fulfilled. I don't think spaying and neutering is at all cruel.

Don't get me wrong, I agree that it has benefits. Namely, keeping them out of trouble. But that trouble that we're keeping them out of is mostly of our own creation. I'm not trying to get flamed here, and I would encourage anyone who is considering owning a cat to get them neutered/spayed and to NOT declaw them. But I think altering cats IS cruel because if it weren't for our mistakes this wouldn't be necessary. I was worried sick when I got Duke neutered. I called the vet every hour and he ended up having to stay overnight. I feel bad about it still. I wish there was a way that I didn't have to do it. But there isn't. So while I've done it, will do it again, and will encourage everyone else to do it as well, I don't have to like it... Kinda like taxes ;)

No declawing here....I too had originally planned on getting Leo declawed until I was educated...I guess I just didn't know how severe and painful the procedure was. In fact, all my sister told me was that it would make him depressed, and that was enough for me! :lol3: But then I found out everything.

Therefore, my cats are not and never will be declawed. If there's ever a problem with their claws or if I have kids down the line, I have no issues using SoftPaws, although at this point, those are totally unecessary as well.

If you must have a cat with no claws, definitely do adopt a cat who has already undergone the surgery. Or buy a Garfield doll.

But that trouble that we're keeping them out of is mostly of our own creation. I'm not trying to get flamed here, and I would encourage anyone who is considering owning a cat to get them neutered/spayed and to NOT declaw them. But I think altering cats IS cruel because if it weren't for our mistakes this wouldn't be necessary.

I have to admit I'm a bit confused. What trouble is our own creation? And what mistakes are we making that caused it to be necessary to neuter? Just curious.

I have to admit I'm a bit confused. What trouble is our own creation? And what mistakes are we making that caused it to be necessary to neuter? Just curious.

Well, of course this is all just my opinion... But... The overpopulation problem is caused by us. By people who want a kitten but don't want a cat. By people who wan't to make a buck off breeding their 'moggies' (BYBs). By people who think its cool to let their cats breed but don't consider the responsibility attached to birthing kittens and finding responsible owners for them. By people who throw cats away when they don't conform to their preconceived notions of cat behaivor. Etc... Other dangers include reckless driving, using poisonous chemicals and leaving them accessible, allowing pet dogs and cats to roam freely and pose a physical threat and introduce the threat of disease, not to mention the afore mentioned 'throw aways' that become diseased ferals. From my understanding, domestic cats didn't even exist in the United States until WE brought them here.

I'm guilty of a few of these things. I'll admit that. But I try to be cognizant of it and minimize the problem as much as possible. I got my Duke from a BYB. But rather than supporting her and encouraging her to do it again, I reported her to animal control. My baby was in bad shape when I first got him and I had to educate myself FAST about this kind of thing. I have quite a few neighbors who allow their cats to roam the neigborhood and they have not been altered. Two of these neighbors I've convinced to get the procedure done on their pets. I saw a cat outside the other night. I live in the midwest and it was about 30 degrees outside. I stayed out in the cold for 45 minutes trying to coax the cat into my garage. Once there, she curled up right away and went to sleep. The next morning I found her owner. They said it scratched their funiture so they didn't want it anymore. It p*sses me off that people are so careless and irresponsible:onfire: ! I don't belong to any rescue group, and yet I've "fostered" two cats since this summer. One was even pregnant, but we had it terminated. I was devastated, but she was throw away herself. Who would take her AND her babies? The vet had a waiting list for accepting new litters!!!

OK, I'm sorry about that. I love animals, and I get a little heated thinking about this stuff. Sorry again...:blush:

Tiffany

My cats all have thier claws. I would never declaw. If you start from a young age you can teach them not to scratch your furniture. I have nice furniture and don't have problems with my cats scratching it. I worry about declawed cats escaping from the house. What are they to do if a dog or other animal chases them? They can no longer climb and they have no claws for defense or catching prey. Thier screwed.

Does anyone have a link to information about how the procedure is actually done? I've heard things about it, but would like more information.

Does anyone have a link to information about how the procedure is actually done? I've heard things about it, but would like more information.

When I had my web site up, I had this link on it, I make all new kitten owners sign a "no declaw" contract, so I give them some info as to why. There may be better ones as far as the proceedure, and some one will post one if they have it, but this will help. It also has "horror stories" too, just to get an idea of what some people (and cats) have gone through with it.


http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/

This poll isn't really representative. It would be interesting to me to have a poll that asked, "Would you declaw a cat." :) I have three cats. Peaches was front declawed by her previous owners. The deed was already done when I adopted her from the Humane Society. Jazzy had all 4's declawed by his previous owner. I also got him at the humane society. Jake has all his claws in tact and he came from a cattery/breeder. I would never declaw a cat myself. Although I have had it done to a cat more then 20 years ago when I didn't know what it was all about. And it was a normal and accepted thing back then.

There is alot of people who think its cruel but i have had declawed cats and they are no different,other than they dont ruin your property. All have been just as happy as the ones with claws. My opinion is its not cruel but what is cruel is people that have cats that dont protect them from the outdoors and let them roasm free only to become hit by cars. That is cruel. Besides this is the USA and its legal here so what is not leagal doesnt really matter.

There is alot of people who think its cruel but i have had declawed cats and they are no different,other than they dont ruin your property. All have been just as happy as the ones with claws. My opinion is its not cruel but what is cruel is people that have cats that dont protect them from the outdoors and let them roasm free only to become hit by cars. That is cruel. Besides this is the USA and its legal here so what is not leagal doesnt really matter.

http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/
Please look at the pictures, read the desciption, and read just a couple of the stories in there. Then if you can honestly say after that it isn't cruel, then o.k.

Don't get me wrong, I agree that it has benefits. Namely, keeping them out of trouble. But that trouble that we're keeping them out of is mostly of our own creation. I'm not trying to get flamed here, and I would encourage anyone who is considering owning a cat to get them neutered/spayed and to NOT declaw them. But I think altering cats IS cruel because if it weren't for our mistakes this wouldn't be necessary. I was worried sick when I got Duke neutered. I called the vet every hour and he ended up having to stay overnight. I feel bad about it still. I wish there was a way that I didn't have to do it. But there isn't. So while I've done it, will do it again, and will encourage everyone else to do it as well, I don't have to like it... Kinda like taxes ;)

what about the fact that it greatly reduces their risk of getting cancer when they are older? And females from getting cancer and Pyometra? Also what about the fact that intact cats spread FeLV and FIV. There are a LOT of health benefits to spaying and neutering too, where there are very very rarely health reasons for declawing.

There is alot of people who think its cruel but i have had declawed cats and they are no different,other than they dont ruin your property. All have been just as happy as the ones with claws. My opinion is its not cruel but what is cruel is people that have cats that dont protect them from the outdoors and let them roasm free only to become hit by cars. That is cruel. Besides this is the USA and its legal here so what is not leagal doesnt really matter.

That is a real odd way of looking at it. What about the horrible pain and agony they go through during the procedure? They scream out in pain even though though they are put out for the surgery. Just because anything is legal doesn't make it ok...Just do it because it is legal who cares about the effect it has on the cat...that doesn't really make sense.

First, i dont agree with having a cat declawed,

I had one cat that had been front declaw done, i never saw any of the issue that some people talk about here.

next there is no way a vet should ever agree to doing all 4 paws.

I saw something in the paper, and on this site about how there was some talk of banning declawing here in the US. How i would sooner people take the time and effort to teach the cat wear it is ok to claw. I would also like to see a pet have a home. I would think the number of cats that get a home will go down if they pass it.

:( however i do understand that declawing a kitty does not promise it good home for life.

anyway, that is just what i think when this subject comes up.

There is alot of people who think its cruel but i have had declawed cats and they are no different,other than they dont ruin your property. All have been just as happy as the ones with claws. My opinion is its not cruel but what is cruel is people that have cats that dont protect them from the outdoors and let them roasm free only to become hit by cars. That is cruel. Besides this is the USA and its legal here so what is not leagal doesnt really matter.

It's not just a matter of whether they behave normally or are happy afterwards. To me it's just morally wrong to amputate part of a cat purely for one's own convenience.

Letting a cat go outside is a totally different situation because, unlike declawing, going outside does offer some benefits for a cat. It also has risks but most people who allow their cat outdoors don't do it for their own benefit, they do it because they have weighed up the risks and benefits and decided that going outside is in the cat's best interests.

what about the fact that it greatly reduces their risk of getting cancer when they are older? And females from getting cancer and Pyometra? Also what about the fact that intact cats spread FeLV and FIV. There are a LOT of health benefits to spaying and neutering too, where there are very very rarely health reasons for declawing.


Hi Jen,

I'm not comparing declawing to altering. I just said I think they are BOTH cruel. I do believe that declawing is MUCH worse then altering though. And again, I encourage people to alter their cats (and to NOT declaw them). Most of us really can't handle the responsibility of keeping an altered cat and I hate seeing cats being thrown out because they spray or howl or something worse happening because they roam.

I'm also aware of the health benefits of altering cats. I never denied that there were benefits. But the fact that there are so many diseased cats out there is at least partly our fault. Saying that intact cats spread disease is a little misleading, I think. I might use the word feral instead, as those that are caught and altered and then released will often still roam and fight and spread disease. I know this was not your intent, but it almost sounds like you are demonizing unaltered cats. This is what I disagree with and why I say most of the problems are our fault. Its not the cats fault.

As for the health benefits, I don't think there are a lot, as you put it. More benefits in female cats, yes, but for male cats its almost negligible. The risk of testicular ailments in male cats doesn't decrease by that much when comparing neutered males to intact males. In fact, in the several sites that I've searched on the pro's and con's of neutering, not one said anything about a reduced risk of cancer in male cats.

While they do mention it in females, I'd like to see a legitimate study (unbiased) that shows the actual percentage of altered vs. whole cats that go on to have cancer. That kind of information is hard to come by. I think this is because people who don't alter their cats are maybe not as likely to take them to the vet as often either and no one wants to give a person any more reason to hesitate on having this procedure done on their cats. I don't totally blame them, because the second someone knowledgeable and who has done the necessary research (i.e. not me;) ) says the health benefits are negligible then some people will start to think its OK not to alter their cats. If anyone has any information on this, I would very much like to know about it.

K, thats my take. Thanks for allowing me to express my opinions and I hope no one is offended by what I have said. (I tried very hard to not be unintentionally offensive:) )

Tiffany

http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/
Please look at the pictures, read the desciption, and read just a couple of the stories in there. Then if you can honestly say after that it isn't cruel, then o.k.

Thank you for posting this. I forced myself to look at the pictures. It made me cry, but its something I think anyone who is considering declawing or has friends/family that are considering it should see. This breaks my heart...

Well, of course this is all just my opinion... But... The overpopulation problem is caused by us. By people who want a kitten but don't want a cat. By people who wan't to make a buck off breeding their 'moggies' (BYBs). By people who think its cool to let their cats breed but don't consider the responsibility attached to birthing kittens and finding responsible owners for them. By people who throw cats away when they don't conform to their preconceived notions of cat behaivor. Etc... Other dangers include reckless driving, using poisonous chemicals and leaving them accessible, allowing pet dogs and cats to roam freely and pose a physical threat and introduce the threat of disease, not to mention the afore mentioned 'throw aways' that become diseased ferals. From my understanding, domestic cats didn't even exist in the United States until WE brought them here.

I'm guilty of a few of these things. I'll admit that. But I try to be cognizant of it and minimize the problem as much as possible. I got my Duke from a BYB. But rather than supporting her and encouraging her to do it again, I reported her to animal control. My baby was in bad shape when I first got him and I had to educate myself FAST about this kind of thing. I have quite a few neighbors who allow their cats to roam the neigborhood and they have not been altered. Two of these neighbors I've convinced to get the procedure done on their pets. I saw a cat outside the other night. I live in the midwest and it was about 30 degrees outside. I stayed out in the cold for 45 minutes trying to coax the cat into my garage. Once there, she curled up right away and went to sleep. The next morning I found her owner. They said it scratched their funiture so they didn't want it anymore. It p*sses me off that people are so careless and irresponsible:onfire: ! I don't belong to any rescue group, and yet I've "fostered" two cats since this summer. One was even pregnant, but we had it terminated. I was devastated, but she was throw away herself. Who would take her AND her babies? The vet had a waiting list for accepting new litters!!!

OK, I'm sorry about that. I love animals, and I get a little heated thinking about this stuff. Sorry again...:blush:

Tiffany

I understand the above, but I still don't see the answer to why you think altering an animal is cruel. I must be having a senior's day.

I understand the above, but I still don't see the answer to why you think altering an animal is cruel. I must be having a senior's day.


Sorry, all that talk and no substance! The short answer? I think its cruel because its unnatural...

Tiffany (my middle name should be 'Loquacious')

Hi Jen,

I'm not comparing declawing to altering. I just said I think they are BOTH cruel. I do believe that declawing is MUCH worse then altering though. And again, I encourage people to alter their cats (and to NOT declaw them). Most of us really can't handle the responsibility of keeping an altered cat and I hate seeing cats being thrown out because they spray or howl or something worse happening because they roam.

I'm also aware of the health benefits of altering cats. I never denied that there were benefits. But the fact that there are so many diseased cats out there is at least partly our fault. Saying that intact cats spread disease is a little misleading, I think. I might use the word feral instead, as those that are caught and altered and then released will often still roam and fight and spread disease. I know this was not your intent, but it almost sounds like you are demonizing unaltered cats. This is what I disagree with and why I say most of the problems are our fault. Its not the cats fault.

As for the health benefits, I don't think there are a lot, as you put it. More benefits in female cats, yes, but for male cats its almost negligible. The risk of testicular ailments in male cats doesn't decrease by that much when comparing neutered males to intact males. In fact, in the several sites that I've searched on the pro's and con's of neutering, not one said anything about a reduced risk of cancer in male cats.

While they do mention it in females, I'd like to see a legitimate study (unbiased) that shows the actual percentage of altered vs. whole cats that go on to have cancer. That kind of information is hard to come by. I think this is because people who don't alter their cats are maybe not as likely to take them to the vet as often either and no one wants to give a person any more reason to hesitate on having this procedure done on their cats. I don't totally blame them, because the second someone knowledgeable and who has done the necessary research (i.e. not me;) ) says the health benefits are negligible then some people will start to think its OK not to alter their cats. If anyone has any information on this, I would very much like to know about it.

K, thats my take. Thanks for allowing me to express my opinions and I hope no one is offended by what I have said. (I tried very hard to not be unintentionally offensive:) )

Tiffany

I totally understand most of what you are saying. I agree, and I am glad we can have nice conversations about this :) But I guess I don't see how spaying and neutering can possibly be considered cruel at all? I am just not seeing it that way. Which is fine, I am happy you are still doing it and getting others to. But I am just not understanding that :) I accept the fact that is what you think and it's fine, i don't think either one of us is going to convince otherwise hehe and we don't have to either :)

There is alot of people who think its cruel but i have had declawed cats and they are no different,other than they dont ruin your property. All have been just as happy as the ones with claws. My opinion is its not cruel but what is cruel is people that have cats that dont protect them from the outdoors and let them roasm free only to become hit by cars. That is cruel. Besides this is the USA and its legal here so what is not leagal doesnt really matter.

I respectfully differ. I have adopted cats that had previously been declawed and they ARE different then other cats. And I've heard these stories from many people who have had the same experiences. I've got one cat that was going to be put down because she was a biter. This is their new way of defense. And even indoor kitties still need a means of defense. Think of the child that gets too rough with a cat or who is yanking the cats tail. Of course you don't want the child to get scratched either. But it is much worse for the child to be bitten. Cats who have been declawed are more likely (not always but more likely) to be biters. They are more likely to have litter box issues. Again... not always but much more likely. More likely to be less affectionate and more likely to have balance problems. These are well known problems of declawed cats. My cat, Peaches, who was front paw declawed before I adopted her, has trouble jumping up on the cat tree or jumping up on anything. Sometimes she loses her balance and falls down to the floor. One of my other cats is a male who had all 4 paws declawed by his previous owner. He never even attempted to jump on the cat tree or window perch. He just doesn't have the balance at all. My thrid cat is not declawed at all and has none of these problems. And he doesn't scratch at furniture either. He has the cat tree and another scratching post and he leaves the furniture alone.

Declawing is nothing less then mutilation. If we did this to humans, there would be a huge deal made of it. In my opinion and especially after seeing these pictures, declawing is just as much mutilation as female circumcision is in some Asian or MIddle Eastern countries. I'm sure people could justify that as well by saying it decreases the female desire for sex so there will be less sexually transmitted disease, less out of wedlock and teen pregnancy etc. Just because declawing isn't illegal in the USA doesn't mean it is right. We are definately not the moral authority in the world. Take a look at these pictures taken at different stages of declawing surgery. http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/declawpics/

Just because declawing isn't illegal in the USA doesn't mean it is right. We are definately not the moral authority in the world.

Thank you for saying this. I started to type something along the same line as this, but I felt I had already said too much in this particular thread. I agree with you 100%!

Tiffany

I'm sorry to hear about the troubles your kitties are having. Give them extra scritches behind the ears for me! :^)

I totally understand most of what you are saying. I agree, and I am glad we can have nice conversations about this :) But I guess I don't see how spaying and neutering can possibly be considered cruel at all? I am just not seeing it that way. Which is fine, I am happy you are still doing it and getting others to. But I am just not understanding that :) I accept the fact that is what you think and it's fine, i don't think either one of us is going to convince otherwise hehe and we don't have to either :)

Thank you for understanding, and I too understand that I have a minority opinion on this. I'm not trying to convince anyone to think like I do (how boring!) just wanted to share my point of view and I'm grateful that I can do that here.

Basically, like I responded to Yosemite, I feel its cruel because its unnatural. But I don't believe that cruelty is black and white. Some things are more cruel than others. For example, I feel it is more cruel to leave Duke intact and allow him to roam (with all the dangers that entails) than to just neuter him and eliminate that natural urge. To me, neutering was the lesser of two evils (not that its evil, just a figure of speech):)

Thanks for listening/reading!

Tiffany

Thank you for posting this. I forced myself to look at the pictures. It made me cry, but its something I think anyone who is considering declawing or has friends/family that are considering it should see. This breaks my heart...

Thank-you for looking at it, I still cry every time I go to the site, and re-read the stories of people who "if they would have known then what they know now" I am not into making ANYONE feel bad for some thing they have already done, it can't be changed and they probley feel bad enough they unknowingly hurt their cat, but, I want people to see what it did do so they will never do it AGAIN. You can't take it back, so what's done is done. I wish I could Make every one (especially those who don't think declaws are cruel) look at it. I hope that the poster, pinkpanther66 will look at it too, I know that most people only see what they want and will look the other way, so they don't see the truth. But, fact of the matter is declaws are cruel, even if a cat is lucky enough not to have the problems many cats do have ei, litter issues, bitting, issues, balance issues, ect. It is still a very painful surgury and doesn't belong in the vet practise, there is NO need of it, or for it. I am going to be a little unoriginal here and say, if you are worried about your "property" being ruined, then you have NO bussiness having a cat.
I will say though, I don't see that altering is cruel, but, we don't always have to agree. I don't think it is cruel, at all, I think they are happier, and healthier, but, that's my oppinion, and it's not like I am argueing declaws, I will try to make the point VERY clear when it comes to that, LOL!
Did you read any of the stories? They have a vet tech discription, from when she /he gets to work, until you pick your cat up, I cry every time I read it. The vet tech talks about how the cat will cry out in pain while under, it must be so painful, I can't imagine doing it to my babies:bawling:

pinkpanther66 PLEASE read the stories from the link I posted, if you don't feel declaws are cruel, then what will it hurt to check it out? Here is the link again, just incase you didn't see my last post.
http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/

Kirra is not declawed, she is pretty in green and red nail covers. My last two cats were NOT declawed. My cat back 6 years ago sadly was. I didnt know about nail covers than and didnt realise how bad declawing was, she tore my skin so bad i had (what i thought) was no choice. I regretted it after it was done. My baby was in pain for days and than she went from being a lovey dovey who wanted to be petted all the time to a cat that , while she loved me and followed me, would snap at me occasionally (after all i was the one who did that to her). I swore i would never declaw again, it was hard with the next to but i managed, with Kirra i am greatful for nail covers and promote them. My husband's aunt just got two kittens and a brand new leather couch, she was talking about declawing them and my mother in law told her about the covers i use on Kirra and had me email her info.