why are cats declawed  

I don't believe in declawing either. Fortunately where I live (Philippines) it is not done.

There are actually a few reasons that people feel the desire to have their cats declawed.

Yes, sometimes landlords will only rent to people who have cats if they are declawed in the front at least. People being such poor caregivers that they are sometimes, cats get neglected and scratch and landlords don't care for the damage they can cause. If the humans actually take care of and train their cats properly, that is not usually the case.

Some people just think that if a cat is indoors only, it does not need claws, especially in multi-cat households as they hope it will reduce any damage the cats might do to each other fighting. Proper introduction of the cat's usually solves that however.

Some are just scared of cats and their claws and they figure if the claws have no claws they will be safer (seems they forget that cats have teeth). It does sometimes make cats easier to manage and care for if you don't have to worry about the scratches, except that most only get the front declawed.. so you still have the back to worry about, kind of silly. Granted, there are some people that a cat scratch could result in serious damage (as they can anyways) such as diabetics as one example, however if you read your cat's signs and body language and your careful with them, you should not get scratched.

Some places in the world have banned cat declawing and won't allow it, personally although I think that those laws were passed for the "right" reasons (their desire to help cats), I feel it is taking away yet one more freedom we as pet owners have. I believe in the right to choose for our own bodies and our own pets, so although I semi-agree that cat's usually should not be de-clawed.. I don't agree 100% that we should not at least have that option and choice to make ourselves.

After talking to my vet about how it is done, I was informed the cat gets "patched" to drug them up a full day before the surgery. Of course they get drugs during, and then after as well. They are also watched for a couple days after to make sure they can use the litterbox and walk.

cats which are declawed often have behavioural problems as they fell they have to compensate for not being able to defend themselves so may become aggressive as a result. they can also get arthritis from thier toes being amputated.

i for one am glad that de-clawing is illegal in the uk. with so many alternatives such as clipping, training and soft paws i dont think you need to de-claw. i'm not a big fan of chopping off parts of animals unless it is really neccisary eg. a life saving amputation or sp/neutering.

saying that, thats just my opinion. as much as i disagree with de-clawing i would rather a cat was de-clawed than forced out onto the street because its owner was unable to keep it. and i'd be interested to hear cases where de-clawing was nessicary.

i *think* it's illegal in australia too.

Pretty good discussion here:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41850

Spotz

Hi & welcome to TCS!!!!

I agree, declawing just seems wrong!!! I trim Monte's nails weekly and give him lots of scratching posts around the house and I have never had a problem!

Declawing is outright banned in 27 countries, and the US is not one of them. IMO most people do it for one of three reasons:

1. They are misinformed about what it entails.
2. Their vets talk them into it as a "routine surgery" because the vets want to make more money.
3. They care more about their furniture and belongings than a life.

(That's a generalized statement. Of course there will be cases of medical necessity and a few more for other valid reasons...)

Thankfully, with more and more people getting online and doing their own research, more people are getting educated about what the surgery really involves and alternatives, including training a cat to scratch in appropriate ways. It won't get banned in the US for decades, if ever because the vets won't allow it and because pets are viewed as personal property that you can do whatever you want to (within reason, of course).

I'll move this to Care & Grooming.

Just a reminder for everyone... This is a very hot topic. Please keep your remarks as mature and educated as the ones already posted here. If we can have a civilized conversation about this, the thread will stay open. Otherwise...well...we have to abide by the rules.

Do you have a scratching post for your cats?

declawing is a procedure that removes the nails. Pretty basic, can cause pain just as any surgery. It has it's enemies, but it's up to the owners. Most people who keep thier cats indoors all the time opt to declaw thier cats, mostly only the front claws. I suggest to ANYONE thinking about declawing thier cats I recommend to learn as much as you can about it BEFORE your cat goes in for it. Ask your vet any and all questions you may have. It is better to get it does when you get the cats spayed or neutered, or when they are kittens. This is because if you wait until they are adults the weight of the cat may cause complications and aditional pain. If the cat's scratching begins to be a problem people start to look into it too.

The only time I would say that it's something that could be done is when immuno-compromised people adopt cats. (ie. People with cancer, AIDS, and other disease, and people with transplants.) It really is the only way for them to safely keep cats and not have to be overtly worried about becoming ill from them from accidents. I'd rather see a cat get a good home, and see these people get a wonderful companion than the cat get put to sleep due to overcrowding in shelters.

But the others are right. People declaw because it's the easiest thing for them to do. With a little work, there's no need to do it. But this is the US of A, and I'm afraid to admit that as a nation we're rather lazy.

Even though I'm a strong supporter of the procedure, I rarely would reccomend it as anything but a last resort solution. There are indeed plenty of veterinarians who will push the procedure simply because it generates income rather than because it is absolutely necessary, but there are also those that keep an open mind. [I reccomend the latter ]

Also, many people that either have declawed cats, or that consider declawing as a 'standard' practice, don't know that there are other options available. Most of these alternatives are extremely successful, and pose less risk to the animal. Slowly but steadily, more and more veterinarians are at the very least, starting to discuss the surgery in a more open fashion.

The only caution that I would offer to anyone looking into this procedure, is that there is a large amount of misinformation around regarding declawing. There are numerous organizations and websites that take some of the worst case scenarios, namely making an example of the complications of an incorrect procedure and portraying such an uncommon occurrances as if they were routine occurrances. As with anything concerning your animals health, the best resource on this topic is a veterinarian, ideally who is very familiar with the procedure and is patient enough to discuss the procedure with you.

I would venture to say that a large amount of cats who are declawed, were declawed by owners that simply didn't understand that they have a choice. Yet at the same time, the vast majority of cats that are declawed live long, healthy, happy lives. For the most part, cats are declawed, not because they have to be, but because they can be.

Declawing is a practice that is very misunderstood, I wouldn't classify it as either "Right" or "Wrong". It's merely one of many choices available to a cat owner, a choice to be heavily considered, but nonetheless still a choice.

Spotz

Don't forget chronically misinformed

Spotz

I'm glad I live in a country- Australia where it is illegal apart for medical reason for the cat- so cats have claws- they scratch- you deal with it by behavioural means, trim their claws, live with it- or don't have a cat.
Its a matter of community attitude- I live in a country where such a procedure would be regarded as animal cruelty- so if it suddenly became legal- doubt many people would ask for it or that any vets would do it.
I was shocked when I first started visiting US cat sites and heard of the procedure.
I have a number of different scratching surfaces for my cats- never had a problem with furniture over many years of cat ownership

It is not actually just the nails that are removed, but the top joint of the toes - like us having our fingers amputated to the first joint. So it is a fairly major procedure. Having said that, I have US friends who have always declawed, and their cats have led long and healthy and happy lives. I just think it should not be done lightly, and personally I am glad the UK has banned it, not that I would ever consider it for my cats unless there was a pressing medical reason. As well as scratching posts, I put out mats and with a bit of training, there is rarely a problem.

I'm going to disagree with you many of the point you have made. No vet would push any procedure on anyone. and anyone who would blindly do anything vet says without research is, in my mind, stupid. You wouldn't let yourself go under the knife without knowing any and all risks and benifits of the procedure, why would you dothat to your pets!! Just b/c people get thier cats declawed does not mean they are irresponcible pet owners. They get it done b/c they feel it is nesscary NOT because they are "saving" the couch. If a cat is indoors all the time, I don't see why the owners should not be aloud to consider it. I didn't get Limerick declawed b/c it was an added expense and his scratching is not a problem.
The bottom line is the choice of to delcaw or not to delcaw should be left to the owner. Each cat is different and each situation is different. Find a vet you can trust, do your homework, know what is going to happen, then make your dission.

I don't know about that. I know that when I was making an appointment to get Baylee spayed, they assumed I would want her declawed as well. And honestly I think a lot of people will take what their doctors say seriously, same as with vets... thinking, oh well he went to school for this, he should know better. If the vet says, we have to pull his tooth out, would you not believe him?

I dont personally agree with declawing. And no one will ever convince me too. But i respect peoples wishes as well. I have MANY scracthing posts..but mine still think its fun to get the furniture...my couch ends look horrible..and my brand new comp chair has its damage already. I just shrug and say Oh well. I would rather have nice, Happy natural kitties than good furniture anyways.

Exactly! Look, when I took Trent in for his neuter surgery - to physically hand him over to the vets to be neutered - they asked if we wanted him declawed too. Like it was just part of the routine. Actually with about the same tone as "Do you want fries with that?" I asked what all it entailed, and they lied to me about that. (It is more than just removing the nails and nail bed...) I believed them. If it's that routine, then they should know what it is right? Trent is declawed and no, I didn't know what it really was until after it was done. I guess I'm stupid then, right? That's balderdash. I trusted a professional to tell me the truth. They wanted my money, they got it. I've heard much the same from so many people on this site, I do not believe that "No vet would push any procedure on anyone."

Obviously, I have since changed vets to someone who is straightforward about declawing and discourages it as much as possible because it isn't necessary except under very few circumstances. And he refuses to do it, unless medically necessary to the cat, to any cat over 1 year old because of the pain management issues and recovery time that older cats require.

people the vet can not read minds, you have to tell them what you do and do not what done to your cat. I have never met a vet that would just go and do anything with out talking with the owner(s) first.

A vet I am longer associated with, one of his girls one time while I was in the office waiting for an appointment was on the phone. A lady had called to get her cat neutered. I heard the office worker say rather matter-of-factly- "OK, I have Randolph scheduled to come in on the third for a neuter, will there be a declawing for him at the same time?" I was appalled and after she hung up I went up and told her she may as well throw all my cats' charts away because I was done with this clinic. I walked out and never looked back.

It is an unneccessary and painful procedure to put a cat through. It is done because some humans do not know how to deal with normal cat behavior, or to save furniture, or to stay in an apartment because of a landlord's rule. Very rarely is it done for medical reasons. Just because cats are stoic and don't show pain easily people get to say that declawing is no big deal. I have a friend who only rescues declawed cats. I am here to tell you, it is a very big deal, and yes, it can cause problems over time if not done correctly in the first place.

No, of course they don't do it without consent, but how they go about getting that consent is a different matter entirely. As both Mary Anne and I have pointed out, how they and their staff present declawing, how they answer questions about it, if they flat out LIE about what it entails does play a part. Don't be naive and think that there aren't any vets out there who do unnecessary procedures to boost their bottom line.

Hey all I can tell you is MY EXPERIENCE!!!! Don't bitch at me or balme me for your mistakes. It is up to the owner to understand what is or isn't going to happen to thier pet. Not my fault people!!

And I'm just sharing my experience as well, not blaming you. Of course, there are wonderful vets who will discuss any and all procedures openly and honestly. But there are also those who push procedures and tests to get more money out of you. Like Ari said, most people trust the people who have been trained in a specialty. That's why I hire doctors, mechanics and veterinarians...because I don't have the time or qualifications to learn or know everything that they do.

If you have time to post on this forum you have time to do alittle research.

That is exactly my story Heidi, and the reason why Baylee is declawed. I'm grateful that the vet that performed the declaw did it properly so that I haven't had the least bit of trouble with her (other than her tendency to fall over the railing)... but only after I learned more about the procedure did I realize how horrible it is.

Yes, that's true. But not everyone knows about this forum or to do the research. That's all we're saying... that so many people take people in the medical profession at their word without realizing that they DON'T know everything, or to do the research.

There are many people who aren't going to take the time to research a procedure..they believe "Vet knows best" and if the vet recommends declawing..then it must be ok. Our rescue group stopped working with a vet because he recommended declawing and we have a strict "NO DECLAW" policy. People who are on the fence or want to declaw a cat can certainly adopt one that has already had the procedure. Declawed homeless cats need homes too.

Katie

True but finding a declawed cat in the shelter is very hard