not trying to start a fight but..

[Rocky'smomma]

are you for or against declawing a cat? My mom thinks I need to delcaw my kitties, but I will NOT do it!
I am against it myself, and I understand why some people do it, but I just try to imagine myself not having part of my fingers..It is like cutting part of our finger off for life and not being able to do the things I should be able to do....I dunno..this subject has been on my mind alot, and I had gone to this web site that actually showed the surgery of declawing a kitty, and OMG, That poor baby.....what are your thoughts on this?? Here is the site,,,if you are weak at heart, don't look because they are very graphic....
declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html

[gini]

I think that you will have many responses here by people far more knowledgeable than myself!

What I do know is that this procedure is very painful to your kittens.

Your kittens if declawed won't be able to scratch - but they will use their next best defense and that is BITING!

A good scratching post and some TRAINING (just like you would do with a small child) makes a world of difference.

I wish you good luck and hope that you will not have them declawed!

[Cheshirekatt]

I just can't imagine cutting my own finger off at the first knuckle. I know that when I worked at a vet and people called to ask about it, we'd do everything in our power to talk them out of it and provide training alternatives.

Personally, I've just resigned myself to the fact that I won't be buying any nice furniture while I have kitties.

[Logan]

I will admit that there are times that I wish Butter didn't have his front claws or teeth, for that matter, but I'll take the scratches and scars, any day, over the declawing alternative. I'm with you.......no declawing at this house.

Logan

[Karen]

There is lots of information here, we have had this discussion before. Do a "Search" for declawing, and you find lots of stuff, most people here are vehemently opposed to it, so it'll be good "fuel" for your discussion with your mom.

[Randi]

Originally posted by gini
I think that you will have many responses here by people far more knowledgeable than myself!

What I do know is that this procedure is very painful to your kittens.

Your kittens if declawed won't be able to scratch - but they will use their next best defense and that is BITING!

A good scratching post and some TRAINING (just like you would do with a small child) makes a world of difference.

I wish you good luck and hope that you will not have them declawed!

I agree a 100% with Gini! I would never have a cat declawed - even if it was legal here!

This subject has been discussed here before, one thread you can have a look at is this. - and there are others.

Declawing cats

[jenluckenbach]

I had my very first cat declawed. I was, at the time, brought up with the idea that it was ok. I did not know a lot about it.All I did know was that my cat did not seem to get the idea of NOT using her claws to play with. (we got scratched a lot). It was HORRIFIC !!! She could not put weight on her front paws for literaly months. and I do not think her front paws ever looked quite right after that. I have never had it done again, and now that I know the facts, would not ever think of it as an alternative (for myself).
BUT...
If the choice came down to having a cat destroyed OR getting it declawed, I'd say declaw it. (if someone asked me for my opinion). I'd think to myself, what a selfish choice, but declawed cats do come into where I wiork, and for the most part, seem to be ok.
How's that for a wishy-washy answer?!?

[NoahsMommy]

Show your mom this link: www.declawing.com It isn't a graphic link, but is very educational. I have a feeling she'll change her opinion.

Declawing a cat is animal abuse, plain and simple. There is a reason its outlawed in so many countries.

[slick]

I also think that declawing a cat is cruelty, plain and simple! I would never do it myself.

Speckles came to me declawed and although there is nothing wrong with her, she will bite if she's provoked. One comical thing is that she must still think she has claws because she always goes through the motions on the scratch post.

I sincerely hope you leave them intact.

[boscibo]

I wouldn't do it. All my cats have claws, we have dogs and I like the cats to have some defense.

I find that keeping the nails clipped (just the tips) does a lot for keeping damage down. Many cats don't like this, but if you start getting them used to it when they're young, they accept it.

[Ann]

There really isn't much I can say that hasn't already been said so... JUST DON'T DO IT!

[iceyshiver21]

I dont belive in declawing cats, because I have had many and they only claw there scratching post, once bluy scratched the couch instead, but i just picked her up and put here by her scratching post and she hasnt scratched anywhere else.

[zippy-kat]

try SOFT PAWS!!! they worked miracles at our house!

[Russian Blue]

I'm against declawing.

I believe that if you do not want to spend time training your cat to scratch appropriate areas (ie: scratching post) then you should not get a cat.

If you put your material objects ahead of the mental and healthy well being of a cat, then a feline should not be in your future.

Why do you think most of Europe and Australia has a ban or seriously discourages declawing?

A good majority of North American's do not educate themselves enough on the effects and consequences before declawing an animal. It's a shame that many vets do not even blink an eye because they can line their pockets with this unnecessary procedure.

(there are some instances where declawing is done that I agree with - but 95% of declawing procedures are unnecessary)

If you don't have the time, don't do the crime.

[Cataholic]

I swore I would never post this here, because I knew I would lose the respect of some people. But, I don't think I am being very fair to others that aren't as strong willed as I am, and that might not speak out. All six of my cats are declawed, and it was completely my choice to do it (I mean that they didn't come to me that way, I made the decision to have it done.).

While I do understand the debate, and know that it is illegal in some places, I don't think the legality of the issue 'makes the case'. For example, it is illegal to have minors drink here in the US. But, I don't think that means 'drinking by someone 17 years old is bad'. Another example...it is legal for nearly anyone of age (16) to drive over here, but, that certainly doesn't mean they should. I am NOT comparing a surgical procedure to these other things. I am just setting forth my opinion that just because something is illegal or legal doesn't mean it is right...unless you are on the side arguing for it and it is legal, or against it, and it is illegal. Take abortion as an example. I, personally, am pro-choice. It is legal in Ohio. BUT, I imagine there are one or two people that would go to the end with me on that issue. So, first, I want to say, I believe it is a choice- legality aside.

I have spoken with the four vets that I have had the procedure done by. I can't say that anyone of them ever even attempted to dissuade me from it. I inquired as to their opinion, and I don't recall getting anything negative- other than a reduced risk to defend. But, even that is not completely accurate, and the back claws still do significant damage..as many of us can attest to. Not a single one of my cats acts different than other cats I have seen. In fact, all of my cats are incredibly playful (Even Tex at 11), climb the heck out of stuff, play, walk, run, let me touch their paws (well, some are more tolerant than the others, and the back paws are just as off limits as the front.).

My cats still claw at everything, and as I have said in the past, this is more because of the scent glands, than the need to scratch.

I might mention that SOMETIMES when partys oppose a certain thing, it is painted in the most gruesome light possible...

Having said all of the above, if you have things that you feel the need to express to me, I would prefer not to be publically attacked, but, will promise to respond to every single pm I recieve.