My cat, Cassie, had already been front paw declawed when I adopted her. I signed an agreement with the shelter that I would not have her back paws declawed. I do trim them periodically. She is 13 years old. It used to be that she would run cat sprints and I would find bits of claw in the carpet. That doesn't happen as often now, so I try to play with her more so she can shed them on her own. If that doesn't happen she puts up with me trimming them. I don't plan to have her back paws declawed.

My nephew's cat Milo has all his claws. He's allowed on the screened-in porch and outdoors wearing a leash, so he will not be able to be declawed. He had some issues with the sofa when he first came home, but he has now learned to use his scratching tree. He also likes an old straw mat that is on the back porch. It was very inexpensive and he uses it a lot to dig in his claws and pull. They have another pretty doormat that gets put out when company visits but Milo uses the straw mat regularly. Hate to take it away.

I have a friend who had all four of her cat's paws declawed. Now her cat BITES!