What is your opinion on declawing?

[Crazy-Cat-Lover]

I personally think declawing is cruel and unethical. UNLESS it is absolutely needed, or there is NO other choice, I am completely against it. We have apartments here that have that policy. If I couldnt find another place to live that didnt have this policy, I would rather have my cats declawed than give them up. I learned alot in college about declawing - the PROS and CONS of it. Sometimes there is no other option and it has to be done.

I am considering getting Amadeus' dewclaws removed, because he will NOT let anybody clip his claws. The vet cant even clip them. They had to put him under anesthetic just to clip them!

[CathyBogart]

I am totally, completely against it, and I think the US should follow suit with a lot of countries that have outlawed it. If there is a health reason, that's a different story.

I can definitely see why a one-time operation to have the dewclaws removed would be a better alternative to anesthetizing a kitty every time the dewclaws needed trimming!!

[Karen]

There are many, many threads on this very topic, we don't really need to all post again!

Here is a good long one.

[Jessika]

I personally think that it should only be done for a medical reason or as an ABSOLUTE LAST resort. Cats can be trained to use scratching posts AND you can trim their nails yourself, so there is really no reason to have them declawed in the first place.

[boscibo]

I am against it. I'd rather replace my furniture/carpet than declaw my cats.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

There are many, many threads on this very topic, we don't really need to all post again!

Here is a good long one.

Sorry I am not trying to start an argument, I had just not realized that there were apartments that would require cats to be declawed. It's kind of scary considering I won't have a lot of options on where to live. I also was not aware of past debates on this board.

[rosethecopycat]

I just want to say that I considered having Malfi declawed for medical reasons. He has an autoimmune disease that makes his claw beds become infected. It is terrible to see him with all infected claws, but still I decided against declawing him.
Even though it would be done for medical reasons you still get all the behavioral side effects. Mainly biting. Many cats react to the lack of claws be defending themselves with their teeth. Spraying and urination can be other issues.
I'm fighting Malfi's disease with his steroid drug, and so far no infections in the claw beds.

I certainly wouldn't declaw a healthy cat. I have foster cat Nocci here, she's a long time declaw, and guess what? She bites. It will take some time for her to be adopted.