Declawing

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luvmy2cats

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I'm not saying you are wrong about your beliefs that declawing is inhumane but I witnessed a declawing once and all the vet did was clip the claw way down at it's base and remove the thing that causes them to grow. It didn't look all that bad to me.
 

twstychik

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Was this suposed to be in an existing thread?

But it is inhumane. What you watched the vet do that "wasn't that bad" is the equivelent of us having our fingers amputated at the first knuckle!
 

ping

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Originally Posted by twstychik

But it is inhumane. What you watched the vet do that "wasn't that bad" is the equivelent of us having our fingers amputated at the first knuckle!


What she said. IMO its inhumane no matter what spin someone puts on it.
 
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luvmy2cats

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Originally Posted by twstychik

Was this suposed to be in an existing thread?

But it is inhumane. What you watched the vet do that "wasn't that bad" is the equivelent of us having our fingers amputated at the first knuckle!
It really didnt' appear that they were cutting the bone though. It was quite some time ago when I saw this so I really can't remember. My cat was declawed at eight weeks. I was only ten years old so I didn't have a say but if I got another cat I'm not sure if I would declaw or not.
 

goldenkitty45

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Well considering the consquenses both physically and emotionally, would you like to be taken into the doctor's office and cut your fingers off because you're parents would not take the time to train you properly?

Some cats survive declawing without too much problems; but many do not. Why ruin your cat?
 
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luvmy2cats

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Well considering the consquenses both physically and emotionally, would you like to be taken into the doctor's office and cut your fingers off because you're parents would not take the time to train you properly?

Some cats survive declawing without too much problems; but many do not. Why ruin your cat?
I see the point. It would be like someone taking us against our will and doing that. Plus purposely putting your cat through pain is wrong. Like I said when my cat was declawed I was a kid plus I never knew much about it untill now. I think it's crazy how vets make it sound like it's no big deal.
 

rockcat

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Originally Posted by luvmycat1

I see the point. It would be like someone taking us against our will and doing that. Plus purposely putting your cat through pain is wrong. Like I said when my cat was declawed I was a kid plus I never knew much about it untill now. I think it's crazy how vets make it sound like it's no big deal.
Yeah.
"I came to get my cat spayed."
"Ok, want a declaw with that"?
kinda like
"I'll have a Big Mac."
"Want fries with that?"
 

twstychik

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Frankie is lucky that she survived her declaw ok (like you I had no say in it). Just a few of the problems from declawing including biting (since they can't defend with claws), litter box problems, infection... to name a few.

The claw is essentially the tip of their "finger". When they are declawed it's done at what would be the joint so no, they didn't cut bone but they did cut connective tissue, muscle, cartilage and LOTS of nerves. If you want to refresh your memory of what you saw look here ***Warning*** graphis content***
 

paulena

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My Sassy is 4/paw declawed only because that is the way she was when I got her, my other two are not and will not be. Black and Katie know what they can scratch on and they don't bother a thing. (even my new leather furniture) IMO I would never, ever have a cat declawed, because they can be taught properly. Alittle time and patience, that is all that it takes.
 
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luvmy2cats

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Originally Posted by twstychik

Frankie is lucky that she survived her declaw ok (like you I had no say in it). Just a few of the problems from declawing including biting (since they can't defend with claws), litter box problems, infection... to name a few.

The claw is essentially the tip of their "finger". When they are declawed it's done at what would be the joint so no, they didn't cut bone but they did cut connective tissue, muscle, cartilage and LOTS of nerves. If you want to refresh your memory of what you saw look here ***Warning*** graphis content***
Oh, that's horrible. That is exactly what I saw. Only, I was young. What I was doing was shadowing a vet clinic for school. I guess it didn't seem bad because I really didn't understand what they were doing. Now I know.
 

AbbysMom

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Just a reminder on TCS's official stance on declawing -

3. This website considers declawing a drastic way to curb cat behavior. A painful ordeal for your kitty we would suggest that declawing never be considered for any behavioral issue. Health issues are entirely different. It is up to you as a responsible pet owner to explore all the different options available instead of declawing. Your cat is dependant on you to make wise choices for her, and not put her into any more stress or discomfort. Please be a responsible pet owner and research this subject thoroughly. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing here in our forums as well as on our website itself. Declaw - More than Just a Manicure. Hopefully those of you with claw-related problems will find solutions by spending time in our Behavior Forum.
Here are a few links as well -

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41954

http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/34/De...-Manicure.html

http://www.thecatsite.com/Care/33/De...ernatives.html
 

katz4life

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Declawing is taking away something that is natural for a cat - the ability to sharpen their claws...

Instead of using the money to declaw - use it to get something the cat can scratch on. Thats where some people make the mistake - of course a cat is going to scratch your furniture if they don't have a scratching post or something similar. Our cats have never scratched any of our furniture - they have too much stuff of their own to scratch on.

At least think about it before declawing your cat...
 
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luvmy2cats

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Well, like I said my cat is already declawed. My parents wanted done and I was a kid. The next cat I get will not be it's toes cut off. I've seen a few links and it's just terrible.
 

ddcats

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Anyone who would do this to a cat's paws deserves...
(I cannot say because this is a family site)


Bad_Declaw_post-op_WEB_ZDO2.jpg


Does this look like it was a simple procedure? Declawing is cruel, degrading, it is a sick procedure for human convenience only. Declawing is a dirty word that should never be mentioned anywhere by anyone.

Declawing is vile and evil. It is a procedure made up by man for man's convenience. There is no if's, and's or but's when it comes to declawing.

Whoever even thinks about declawing their cat should GET EDUCATED. Just because the product or procedure or food or item or whatever is advertised out there does not mean it's good.

DUH-Does anyone have any common sense anymore? Has it been dulled by commercialism?
 
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luvmy2cats

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I'm educated now. I wont be declawing any future cats. Sorry to get everyone in a tizzy over this topic. Declawing is cruel. So, is it hard to teach a cat to only scratch on specific things? It seems like they would just scratch on whatever they felt like.
 

sharky

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NO it is not hard to teach a cat where to scratch... It took my semi feral about a week
 

siggav

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Originally Posted by luvmycat1

So, is it hard to teach a cat to only scratch on specific things? It seems like they would just scratch on whatever they felt like.
Basically the trick is to find what the cat wants to scratch on and then give them a constructive way to scratch in that way.

Cats don't scratch just to scratch, they scratch to get claw sheathes off their claws when the claws are growing and to stretch. They usually like material that has some give in it but they can also really dig into and tear up. Unfortunately carpet and upholstering on chairs and sofas qualify.

However you can usually find things that the cats like scratching better than the stuff they're not allowed to. Most cats like scratching on sisal fabric or sisal rope scratching posts better than on sofas. My cat goes nuts over cardboard scratching squares I put on the floor, since I got those she's left my sofa completely alone.

You can then put double sided sticky tape on the places they had started to scratch and put a scratching post next to that. There are some other tricks but I didn't have to use any of those, simply providing enough scratching posts was enough. I'm probably lucky but definitely not unique with that.
 

dragoriana

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Originally Posted by luvmycat1

I'm educated now. I wont be declawing any future cats. Sorry to get everyone in a tizzy over this topic. Declawing is cruel. So, is it hard to teach a cat to only scratch on specific things? It seems like they would just scratch on whatever they felt like.
Some of the newer members don't know. But we've had alot of threads on this subject, and i think it's safe to say we all oppose declawing. I'm glad you've now been educated on this subject, so that any further kitties you get can live a happy life with all their toes whole.
 

coaster

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Originally Posted by luvmycat1

... It was quite some time ago when I saw this so I really can't remember. My cat was declawed at eight weeks. I was only ten years old .....
Well, now, to be fair about your impression that it wasn't all that bad, you were very young and it was a long time ago. Memory has a way of clouding over the bad things so we don't remember them all that well.
 

gloriajh

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Declawing is an on-going, never-ending topic, and has the possibility to get people "screaming".


Since I've posted some thoughts about declawing - my ideas mostly in the minority of the opinions on this website - I thought I'd direct you to another thread under "Care & Grooming, entitled "Declawing". There's some feisty conversation in that thread, and, I imagine if you just did a search on "declawing", you'd spend the next couple of days sorting out, and reading through all this site has to offer in opinions.


My posts in that thread are #11, 21, and 33. I would have copied them here, but then, that would take the comments out of context.

If you declaw your cat, he must never be allowed outside - you must become extra protective, because you have taken away one of his key defenses to protect himself. Declawing is an added responsibility for you, the caregiver - if you don't think you'll be successful keeping him indoors, and you're not prepared to go the "extra mile" to protect and defend him, then - don't declaw.

People on this forum will talk about the surgery, the pain, the possible after effects, or perceived health issues - the experience depends on the cat, the medical professionals, and the cat's "guardians".

My experience of the surgery has been that our cats were given pain medication before surgery, and after - they've never showed any tenderness in their feet (even after surgery - had to put them in a place where they couldn't be jumping off things).

They had all their surgeries done at the same time - the neutering, the declawing, and the chip - and, surgery was done at as young an age as possible which was about 4 months. (Just like human surgery - the older you are when you have surgery, the more difficult the recovery - ask any adult that's had his/her tonsils out.)


So, the decision to declaw is sobering - but each person must evaluate this decision for him/herself - a decision, hopefully, with no regrets.

Gloria
 
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