I am a much reformed (and forever guilty) declawer. I would never consider doing it again. No excuses. And, sadly, that is what it seems like the 'reasons' always are-excuses.
I had a St. Bernard once upon a time. Binx had more hair than he knew what to do with, and plenty of slobber that made its way everywhere. I mean everywhere. Ceiling, walls, pictures, television screens, furniture, my bed, my pants, my cats. I wouldn't dream of de-tonguing him, or dehairing him, because of it. It is part of pet ownership.
It isn't the cat that needs to be altered, but, the minds of the people sharing their lives with them. You get scratches on couches? So what. I have a child that will do more damage to my couch in two years then the cats could ever dream of. Scratches on walls? I imagine Jonah will find a pencil, pen, marker, eye crayon, whatever, and mark my walls up good. Kids do that. Red cool-aid? Grape juice? Ever see the damage a dirty diaper can do? I have a shirt that I still can't get the stain out of.
My point is, adjust the thinking to "well, we share our lives with cats, and there is going to be some damage done. Let's just try to limit it, or deflect it, and not make it the cat's problem".
Think about it...America is one of the last places that permits declawing. Other countries have banned it, considering it inhumane.
(and lest anyone tell me I don't 'know' what she is talking about...I did have a new couch in April 2004. I can't remember what I paid for it...about 1200 or 1800???, but, it does have scratches up both sides. Did it bother me? Sure, but, not to the point I would do something to the cats....)
Reply With Quote
Don Juan wouldn't use a carpet or sisal scratcher. 
Bookmarks