Declawing, your thoughts.

Hi,

in another thread, the question of declawing has come up, but since this question is bound to be buried in that long thread (and I think that it's a crucial question), I thought I would begin a thread of its own on this subject.

I am totally against declawing and I am including a few links that I posted in the other thread that explain why as well as an extract of a text found in one of these links:

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http://www.defiant.net/declaw.html
http://www.cfainc.org/health/declawing.html
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
http://www.defiant.net/declaw.html

http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/ (Beware, the first image on this site is quite heartbreaking, and there are other sections with photographs that illustrate how cruel declawing is. I have been shocked by these photographs.)

http://www.declawing.com/
Here are some extracts of this last one:

"Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period.
No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors."
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Anne-Claire

NO NO NO!! I totally disagree with declawing a cat. I think it's a form of abuse. I hate that two out of 3 of my kitties are declawed. They have turned sluggish and lazy. The one who is not, is healthy and fit. This is mainly because he is an outdoor cat, and the others are indoor. We are afraid to have them go outside because they cannot defend themselves. See, we got them declawed because my mom was tired of having them rip up the furniture. My dad and I were against it and knew that there were ways around this, since so many cats were not declawed. Well, my mom, I guess, didn't feel like putting in anymore effort to try different ways of correcting this situation, and declawed them when my dad and I were not home.

I think declawing kitties is cruel, no matter what the circumstances.

NightSoWindy,

I am glad that you agree with me. I can't bear the thought that cats still have to suffer this cruelty. And i don't understand how some vets (supposed to care - as in caring) agree to perform these surgeries.

Anne-Claire

I am most definatly against it,but here in australia it is illegal,so we dont have to worry about it. But it worrys me when you hear people say i did it because they were ripping up the furniture or what ever,you ask them if they would cut half their childrens fingers off if they were scribbling on the walls,but of course that is different.

The United States is, I believe, the only country that has NOT outlawed declawing. Veterinarians owe it to their clients to fully explain the procedure, including pictures so they can get the full effect of how cruel it is and exactly what they can possibly expect from a cat that's been declawed. I'll bet it would change minds. But the procedure is a real money maker for vets. Some vets will refuse to do it. Others just sluff it off as if it's simply a case of "taking the nail out". It's not, and people need to know this. I am totally against declawing.

I have a 5 1/2 month old kitty who loves to scratch everything. He does not listen when reprimanded. I too, am against de-clawing, but my husbnad says we may not have a choice if he doesn't start to behave. Scatching posts only seem to make the problem worse. He tells me that he read there is a new kind of de-clawing where it is done by lazer and not nearly as bad as surgery. Does anybody know anything about this? My vet says her cats are de-clawed and that it is no big dea and not to listen to bleeding hearts about how bad it is. I was really pissed when she told my husband that, because now my husband thinks it's OK. Any suggestions on how I can get my Jinxy to stop so hubby doesn't do anything drastic?? He knows I am very against it, but keeps saying that it is up to Jinxy whether or not he can behave!!

-Jacquie

I would never declaw a cat. There is no reason, as long as you clip their nails like I do.

Jacquie,

have you tried cutting the tip of his claws (there are special scissors for that) taking care of not cutting the skin that is on the claw?

When I had inside cats only, I used to do that to the three of them and although they still scratched (cats are cats, they are supposed to scratch...) they didn't do much harm to furniture after that.

I really don't know how to make your cat stop scratching completely. Why don't you try sprayimg water on him each time he scratches, maybe after a while he will understand? Oh and one another thing, try posting this question in the behavior forum, I am sure you'll get more answers there: after all, it's a behavior thing, isn't it?

Anne-Claire

I am so glad that I live in Australia and it is illegal here. I think the saddest thing about it is that I believe many people don't realise exactly what the procedure entails and the risks and possible psychological damage done to the cat.

I have read so much about declawing because I was so shocked when I found out that they remove the whole knuckle of each toe.

My cats (past, present and future) are so important to me as individual personalities. They are worth the time, money and effort it takes to train them. To physically injure a loving devoted member of your family for the sake of material possesions is not the behaviour of an animal lover. Would those same people, in a house fire rescue the beloved leather lounge, instead of their pets?

The most offensive thing about declawing is the fact that the vets still do it! Vets should be required to take a similar oath as doctors - DO NO HARM! I understand that there are many vets who do refuse to declaw cats, thi$ $hould $end alarm bell$ about the motive of vet$ who do choo$e to do it.

Jacquie, rather than reprimanding Jinxy for scratching, try a loud UH-OH or HAH! and then pick him up (everytime) place him on the scratching post. If he so much as tweaks one claw on the thing, give him a treat. It might help to have more than one scratching post, in a few different places. The more consistent you are, the easier it will be for him to learn. I am sure that many of those anti-declawing sites have detailed advice on how to train your cat and/or how to protect your furniture.

We tried several different types of scratching posts for Danielle. A sisal, and a carpeted one. she showed no interest.

Then I got a horizontal corragated cardboard one. She went right for it!! We got several, and put them around the apartment.

Only occasionally do I see her trying to scratch the doorway, I say "NO", she stops and goes to the cardboard one.

Try different types of materials.

I've just finished writing an extensive article about how to get a cat to use the scratching post. It includes lots of alternative to declawing. I hope to get it online by tomorow.

One of my cats would scratch the door frame as well (never scratched the furniture, thank goodness). I put some double-sided tape on the door frame and then after a week I removed one strip of tape at a time (so he wouldn't realize I was removing it). He never scratched the frame again...even after moving to a new house!

There's the link:
http://www.thecatsite.com/behavior/scratching.html

I'd love to get feedback here.

Absolutely NO declawing - no matter which way the old fashioned or the new laser technique - declawing is still declawing!

Jinxy shows no real interest in scratching posts either. Or he would scratch it, but also scratch the carpet as well. As for clipping his nails, that would be fine, but have you ever tried to clip a Persian's nails. It is virtually impossible as the fur is everywhere!!! Much easier on my tabby. Where can I get a horizontal cardboard one, or did you make it yourself. He only scatches the carpet. He loves to be squirted with water, and yelling at him does nothing. He's a little devil!!! I'll keep trying, but believe me, my husband is the nicest guy and absolutely loves animals, but still does not believe it is that bad to de-claw, especially if we do it by lazer!

-Jacquie

Jacquie,

have you seen Anne's article?
http://www.thecatsite.com/behavior/scratching.html

Maybe you could try the nailcaps? or try to find some noise that Jinxy hates? For example, one of my cats hates the sound of plastic bags and gets really scared. Try to find a noise that he hates when he scratches...

Anne-Claire

I must say, when I visited thew declawing site mentioned in the first thread and saw those pics, I was ill. How horrible for those poor cats!!! My kitties have all their claws and always will have. My Loco has scratched the back of my couch up a bit, but since I got him a sisal scratching post, he never uses anything else. He's even teaching his 'little sister' Missy to use the post! I think its a good idea to try the cardboard horizontal scratching pads if your kitty shows no interest in the upright posts, my oldest kitty Onyx will only scratch on horizontal surfaces. I'm considering circulating some of these pictures of the declawing surgery in my area so people won't do it. Luckily in my area, its not a common thing that pet owner's do.