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.
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!
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.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!
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.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?
Yeah.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.
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.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***
Here are a few links as well -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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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 .....