Issuing an open challenge to pro- declawers

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Originally posted by cubby31682
I always thought that they just pulled the claw out like a toe nail. I didn't know that they cut off part of the digit.

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That is what I thought too Katie. But what is done should not be regretted. Easy to say right? I still look at my kitties little paws and want to cry - but this is pointless. They are spoiled rotten and loved. No turning back. The important thing is to learn and go on from there right? Nobody has any right to make you feel bad. You did not do anything wrong! You had a decision to make and did what you had to under the circumstances. We have happy and spoiled kitties !!! (((((HUGS)))))

Lisa you make perfect sense. :)

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Originally posted by sirrahbed
That is what I thought too Katie. But what is done should not be regretted. Easy to say right? I still look at my kitties little paws and want to cry - but this is pointless. They are spoiled rotten and loved. No turning back. The important thing is to learn and go on from there right? Nobody has any right to make you feel bad. You did not do anything wrong! You had a decision to make and did what you had to under the circumstances. We have happy and spoiled kitties !!! (((((HUGS)))))

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Katie,
Don't feel bad for a past decision :(

My aim is to prevent FUTURE declawing, not to bash people who have declawed cats :(

Cubby you responded at the same time I did! I hope you know that in no way am I referring to you. It would have killed me but if there was no other affordable housing available for me and my option was to lose my baby or declaw, I would declaw. You did what you had to do and I commend you for loving Cubby that much.
I'm referring to the majority of animal owners. Not the people who see thier pets as family members.

And a big hug to everyone for posting in a logical manner (so far) with no flaming, must be a first for a declawing thread. :D

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Originally posted by PayItForward
My aim is to prevent FUTURE declawing, not to bash people who have declawed cats :(

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oh I did not mean to imply that Jenny! I have not heard any blame at all in this thread! It has been very civil and productive!! I simply heard guilt, which I also feel, in Katie's post.

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Originally posted by PayItForward
And a big hug to everyone for posting in a logical manner (so far) with no flaming, must be a first for a declawing thread. :D

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Ain't that the truth PIF!!! I almost didn't respond because of how this could end up.

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Originally posted by PayItForward
And a big hug to everyone for posting in a logical manner (so far) with no flaming, must be a first for a declawing thread. :D

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ah good - posted as I was posting - yes a very good and civil thread for sure:)

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Originally posted by catcrazylady
Ain't that the truth PIF!!! I almost didn't respond because of how this could end up.

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:eek: DITTO!!!

I have posted this before on here but I will do so again for those who don't know. Trevor and Andy are both declawed. It was my ignorant decision at the time. All of my immediate acquaintances with cats (friends and family) at the time (1993) had declawed cats. I assumed it was the "normal" thing to do. I really didn't know anything at all at the time about cats. Trevor was my first cat. Would I do it again? No. Do I feel guilty? Of course, but I don't stew about it. Trevor and Andy are loved very much and they are great buddies too. I am blessed with two really terrific kitties. Who could ask for more!

One thing that peeves me is always reading about how declawed cats always have to have behavior problems. :rolleyes: Neither Trevor nor Andy nor any of the cats whom I have known who were declawed have ever had behavior problems. It may be since it was done when they were kittens and they never knew what they were missing. They actually do "scratch" on things with their front paws just as if they had claws. I wonder what they think when they do this. Yes, I am guilty, but it is over and done and I would never do it again to any future cats.

cubby31682,

I also wanted to add that there is a definite difference btw. declawing to protect your couch and declawing because you have 2 for landlord or family reasons. It's not ideal, but the way America is about declawing, it puts a lot of us in a tight spot. You did the best you could. You saved Cubby's life, nothing is more precious and you gave him a loving, great home. Sometimes it is a matter of the lesser of 2 evils.

I have to say if it came down to a boyfriend or a husband telling me to declaw or he leaves well I'm a bit crazy, so I'd say don't let the door hit you...you know the saying, I'm also not married so my perspective is a skewed. Reminds me of this skit I saw on MAD TV where this lady was crazy about her dogs and the husband was on the roof about to commit suicide cause she paid so much attention to the dogs. She begged and begged him to tell her why he was in so much pain, and when he confessed, she pushed him off the ledge and closed the window. lol, only a skit and obviously extreme, but we-ell some part of me could relate:D

I wish this country would just outlaw it unless its for medical reasons, like a lot of other places. I just can't get the comparison of we wouldn't take out a dog's teeth or claws for tearing up the carpet, or amputate a child's hands cause they draw all over the wall. My cats have torn me and my boyfriend up at some points (we have scars to prove it) cause we let their nails get to long, but guess whose fault that was - OURS for getting lazy :)

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Originally posted by Pam
One thing that peeves me is always reading about how declawed cats always have to have behavior problems. :rolleyes:

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Yes, you are right some cats don't and that is a mixed blessing.
A very good thing that some cats have no problems, as I wish good health on all cats

But if all cats had problems directly following the operation it would have been banned years ago :(

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They actually do "scratch" on things with their front paws just as if they had claws. I wonder what they think when they do this.

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Part of the scratching process is to scent the object. Your cats are scenting objects by mock scratching, in the same way my cats do with claws...Cats also do this by rubbing the side of their face on objects too. :)

Like Pam, my kitties(all 6 of them) have not expressed any behavior problems (related to declawing, anyhow :p ).

I also wondered how a clawed kitty would respond to a declawed household. So far, no problem. Monte is awful, but, it isn't claw related, so as far as I can tell. He is just one bad black boy! He plays with the others, they play with him. He plays with me, and is gentle with both the biting and the clawing....

Not this debate again.

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Originally posted by catlady1945
Not this debate again.

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Yes, I will be bringing it up from time to time, until it is banned :)