I don't know much about declawing, and well, I don't know to much about cats either however I do think it is a HORRIBLE alternative. If you don't want scratch marks on your furniture buy a cat beanie baby I guess it's kind of the same with dogs, if you don't want it barking, get a fish . I know people that have their cats declawed, they all say that they would never do it again, most of them didn't know about the pain it causes for the cat when they had it done. LIzzzy, sorry, but I am so dam happy you don't have a cat. Your furniture is NO excuse, thats sad and inhumane