not trying to start a fight but..

[batgirl1980]

I agree with Cataholic...
I have had cats ever since I was little, and never encountered a declawed one or knew of the prodedure until I met my husband.. And my three babies have alll completely recovered and act like any other kitty around with claws. They do not have behavioral problems, or any other problem people have stated here. are NOT skittish, nor aggressive and in fact tend to always find the first stranger in the door and say hello.

I do also, however, think it's awful that people will opt for a declawed cat FIRST before any other cat. That should NEVER be the deciding factor in what cat to get. It should be the cat's personality that leads a family to adopt them.

I am neither for nor against it, and am sort of on the fence. Would it have been up to me would my babies still have claws? Most definetely. Probably because that's part of being a cat. If I get another cat someday will I declaw? Probably not, at least not if its my decision.
If i'm going to adopt a cat will that decide whom I welcome home? NO WAY!

[Russian Blue]

I am never going to flame someone online for their opinion. The best I can do, is state my reasons why i'm against it rationally, and listen to other views on the subject. The key is to talk, discuss, challenge, and listen.

People can argue up and down about behavioural problems, pain imposed by the procedure, etc. etc.

My base reason for being against declawing is that you are altering an animal for your own purpose. You are not doing it for the improvement of the animal. When you choose to have a cat in your home you are it's guardian. You are it's voice and you take responsibility for it. And by your decisions, you are choosing the life that the animal will follow.

What ever happened to training animals not to scratch? To looking at other options (softclaws etc) before proceeding with this procedure. It just sickens me when people don't even try to train the cat and just go ahead with this procedure. In my opinion, that is not looking after the welfare of that animal.

Twisterdog stated:

"So ...you tell me ... what's better? A declawed cat in a loving home? Or a clawed cat dead on top of a pile of clawed cats in the city landfill?"

A cat that is not altered and living with it's own facilities in tact is the option. I'll tell you that as long as there are people who easily allow this procedure to be done without educating the client first, this will continue to be the status quo.

I truly believe that declawing should not be the first thing that pops into someone's mind when they look at adopting a kitten. The person who is adopting should have to educate themselves first and/ or be shown how to properly handle and train an animal before any adoption should take place.

Again, this is only my opinion. Thanks for listening.

[wolflady]

I guess I will jump in here as the one person who has a cat with behavioral issues related to the declaw surgery. I know I have posted on the other declaw threads, but I thought I would just post my experience here as well, for those who haven't seen.
I admit, I am one of those people that really didn't know anything at all about the declaw surgery. It just seemed like the thing to do if you had a cat. Take it to get fixed and declawed. Being young at the time, this was my observation.
Later, after doing much research and speaking to people about it, I fully came to understand what it was all about and was mortified. I had no idea that bone was actually snipped off! I certainly wouldn't want any of my body parts cut off simply for convenience.
My husband had his cat Scooter declawed, and now Scooter has a behavioral problem, which is unfortunately one of those rare instances that stem from having the procedure done. Granted, it doesn't seem to happen as often, but it still happens. He's skittish, bites and eliminates outside of the litterbox. I also get the distinct impression that his feet still hurt quite alot, as he gets really ticked off if you get near them. Most declawed cats that end up in shelters are a classic case like Scooter, and it's usually because of elimination outside of the litterbox. We, however, decided to deal with it because it was his choice to get his cat declawed. This all happened before we were married. After I did research about the procedure, it really cleared up Scooter's behavior, but that doesn't make it any better. We've tried everything to treat Scooter, and finally the only thing we can do is put him in his playpen when we can't watch him. I feel so bad that he has to be locked away in his playpen whenever we're not home, but if we don't do that, our carpet would be full of cat pee, and we just can't have that. You should have seen Aaron's apartment before we were married and moved into our own place!

My cat Marius, is not declawed. I refused to do it when Aaron and I were married and I will never have it done to any of my future cats (unless per chance they come to me that way). Since his cat is declawed, though, I didn't want my Marius to accidently hurt him while playing or have some sort of "advantage" over him, which is why I opted for the soft paws nail caps. My cat is really good about his scratching habits, actually...so it wasn't even an issue. I just think that if you take time to train the cat to scratch appropriately, then that is always the best choice. But, there are alternatives to consider before mutilation.

I am not attacking anyone's point of view. This is just my experience. I am one of those unfortunate few that has a cat that suffers behavioral problems due to surgery.

I know for a fact that each of us on Pet Talk with is blessed to share their lives with their cats, love them very much...clawed or not! So, go hug your kitties and tell them that you love them! Don't forget those scritchies and treats!

[Jessica12345]

I have seen shows on kittys that got declawed and now couldnt walk because of it. Plus it is very painful for them. I wouldnt declaw my cats (if i had any ) although i CAN see why some of you do it. Im not trying to be mean

[jenluckenbach]

Originally posted by wolflady
I guess I will jump in here as the one person who has a cat with behavioral issues related to the declaw surgery......

Thank you for coming forward to state that these types of behaviors actually are a result (sometimes) of declawing. YES, it is the minority of cats that this happens to, but why take the chance???? What if you adopted the most lovable, well adjusted cat you have ever seen. The kind you'd been looking for all your life.....PERFECT !!! and then you declaw it and it begins to refuse the litter box (simply because the litter hurts its feet too much). Then what? You know that 9 out of 10 HONEST people would not want to live with a cat for 10 plus years with it peeing on the carpet constantly. That is why they end up in shelters. And besides the fact that they might get picked first, those unsuspecting people will come to find that their new pet was at the shelter for a reason. And while those new pet owners turn around to bring their new found "problem" pet back to the shelter (or worse, just dump it) other deserving cats (with their claws) have been put to sleep for lack of room. Do you see what I mean? Why risk it?

[COCatMama]

Yuck

The ex "loser" once adopted a declawed cat, the poor thing was very timid and would end up sliding off stuff he tried to jump onto poor little mite.
The Ex ditched the kitty back at the SPCA cause the kitty was spraying

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by aly


There is still discomfort and pain with this procedure. Yes there is less pain and less blood loss during the few days after the surgery, but the long-term declawing effects are still the same.

i wouldnt really know, i just heard it on tv...

[smokey the elder]

Let me first state that I'm please that we can have a heated (but polite!) debate on such a hot issue.

Here are my personal observations about declawing.

Case #1: Missy, a declawed polydactyl, was the most sweet cat you'd ever hope to find.

Case #2: Spliffy was a terrible biter at first. BUT, I don't think it was JUST about the declaw. She had been isolated for 7 years. I retrained her and she no longer bites.

I work in cat rescue as a volunteer. Declawing comes up as an issue. Each foster mom/pop has the option and final say about adoption. When it comes to declawing, some foster parents will sanction it before 6 months. Others, and I count myself among these, prefer not to. I actively ask my prospective adopter if they a. have declawed cats; b. did they do the declaw or did they come that way; c. why? and d. would they declaw this kitten?

I know folks can lie. But, if they otherwise "pass" I feel I can take what they say at face value.

Other volunteers are of the opinion that not allowing to declaw is a barrier to getting cats placed. I beg to differ since declawed ones come in all the time.

Well that was long winded, was it not?