Declawing cats?????????

I have never declawed any of my cats, but I don't criticize those who do (as long as they never let the cat outside). I feel it is better to declaw a cat and keep it as a much-loved pet, than send it to a shelter where it will be frightened and miserable, and likely end up being put down.

The only 2 declawed cats I've known both had wonderful personalities and no indication of any soreness or complications or lasting effects from their surgery.

I am against declawing, but I do think it is a better option than rehoming a cat. The reason why it is so bad is that the don't just cut the claw like people think, they actually have to do an amputation to keep it from growing back. Kittens scratch all the time, but they later learn to play without using their claws.

In my experience, declawed cats are much more insecure. Instead of warning you with a little swipe of the paw, they go for the full out bite and their teeth are sharp! It can lead to other behavior problems too, since scratching is a natural thing for cats to do.

There was a post saying that vets don't do the back claws, well there are some vets that will not do it at all, meaning that there's definitely something wrong with it! I've never been bitten by my cats and none of them are declawed. I don't have to worry about being bitten through my fingernail. The worst they will do is give me a little scratch, not a puncture wound.

Okay, I'm answering from experience. I've had cats my whole life and none were declawed. I adopted an older cat a few years ago who had been declawed and then dumped by her previous owners. SOME, not all, cats who have been declawed develop certain behaviors. You got lucky and apparently got one who wasn't affected by it. I wasn't so lucky.

I knew nothing at all about declawed cats before I adopted this one. Since I got her and started having problems, I did a ton of research on declawing and found out just how bad it was. One potential side effect is biting because, without their claws, the cat feels defenseless. My cat bit and she bit hard enough to draw blood. Another possible complication is they continue to have ongoing pain in their paws and then start to have a problem using the litter box. That's probably the most common side effect I've heard of. Well, it happened to my cat and she started going next to the box. I changed litters to one for declawed cats but that didn't help. I had to start monitoring her constantly and actually go up with her to use the box and re-teach her how to use it. Somehow that worked and she is now using it but I still follow her to the litter box each and every time I see her going to use it.... How much fun do you think that is?!? A lot of cats will look for something softer and more comforting to use since they hurt so much. What is more comforting than you and your scent? Which means that a lot of cats will all of a sudden start eliminating on the sofa, the bed or your clothes.... Anything they can find that smells like you and is softer than the litter box.

Like I said, you got lucky and got one who didn't have problems. But there are so many cats who do end up with problems that are easily avoided by just teaching the cats the proper use of their claws.

Cats are digitigrade- which means they walk on their toes. When you declaw you amputate the first joint of their toe. Not only does it cause pain to that area probably for the rest of their lives, but they will not walk as they are built to walk, thus causing problems for other joints.

Declawing can cause behavior problems.

Declawing is banned in most of the civilized world.

You can use a product called Soft Paws, which are nail caps for cats that have been on the market for almost 20 years. They will protect you, other animals, and your furniture from scratching.

I am writing this from a veterinarian's office.

I think declawing in my opinion is not good. BUT if your cat is indoor ONLY!!! It should be fine. The biggest thing for me is that if there outside and there being chase by something they really can't climb up trees or what ever to defend themselves since they don't have claws. So I would say don't do it. But if u do it, make sure thery are inside forever!!! Cause they will not be able to defend themselves in the outdoor world

I don't see why people get so upset about it. There is nothing wrong with it. They don't feel anything and they can't get their back paws de-clawed. No good vet would de-claw the back claws. They wouldn't leave a cat completely defenseless. Also they still have their teeth, which are just as sharp and strong. My cat has bitten through my nail and broken pencils with her teeth. She is de-clawed and is the sweetest cat ever. It shouldn't change them. She doesn't seem to mind them being gone and can still harshly attack if she needs to. She stands her ground against our dogs. It also makes them easier to play and cuddle with.

My friend had a cat that got "declawed" and a dog ran after the cat. He tried to get away but he couldn't climb to safety because.... "He had no claws".

The dog chewed him up.

So for safety issues I personally wouldn't.

Didn't waste my time reading your post as there is absolutely no excuse for this!

De clawing is cruel and horrific. It is banned in many CIVILIZED countries and hope it will get to the US and Canada soon so the cats can stop suffering. My cats are also indoor cats only and I do not chop off their paws. As for pain, you do not know if your cat is in pain as cats hide it very well!

If you cannot accept cats with claws, don't get one....

EDIT:It wasn't your choice but if you are for it, might as well just've been your choice!

Declawing your cat is like, chopping off our fingers.

Cats a territorial, meaning they will fight for their ground, with no claws they have no mean of defence, also what happens when she is in danger or scared ? she can't just climb up the nearest fence or tree, as she now has no means of grip.

Also i would just like to add, de-clawing a domestic animal is classed as animal abuse!

I'm not going to have ago at you, as i know it wasn't your fault, but you asked for reasons and opinions and there they are :) xx

Sorry Hunnie i didn't realise you said your cat never goes outdoors, and aww bless :) you cat sounds sooo cute :) x

Well my experience is that my oldest cat Misty was de clawed as a kitten not my idea but my parents but anyways she turned out just fine. When Misty was outdoors, she could defend herself just fine and she is in no means disabled in any way.