declawing cats....cruelty?

[JennyMominRI]

That's pretty much a non-issue anymore. Even my doctor said the only reason to do it anymore is to prevent "locker room embarrasment". That doesn't really seem like a valid reason to me. Especially when we're talking about people.

.

Also if you look at statistics nationwide it's 60% circed to 40% non-circed..That non-circed kids is not going to be the only one in the locker room. Of course some areas are more likely to circ than others also.
The only Circ arguement I never got,was,I want him to look like Dad..Well if dad is has brown hair and DS has blond will you dye his hair..My DS has never even noticed his ****** looks different from his father's
I just put in the stars because I know the word ***** is not allowed

 

[Beth76]

Life is life. And life should not have to suffer unneccesarily.

As an adult I've had 3 cats declawed. They never looked like they were suffering. In fact my current cat looked far worse when we first got her than she did after her declawing.

The only Circ arguement I never got,was,I want him to look like Dad

I never understood that one either. Besides ALL of those things look different. (I'm assumming for the most part. )

 

[Pete's Mom]

Luigi is front declawed. I tried everything under the sun first. Soft Paws came off like Lee Press On Nails, even when I paid PetSmart $$$ to put them on for me. I tried wrapping him in a towel and clipping his nails which resulted in me getting clawed and bit and him losing a great deal of fur because he always wigged out. I could have given a flip about curtains or couches, because Pete does more damage to them than 10 cats. The problem that I had was that he would attack us while we slept. Pete had numerous scratches to his face. Cat scratches are nasty things and can get infected very easily (think of litterbox residue under their claws and you get the picture). Tried closing our doors at night, but he would cry to get in and even stick his paw under the doors and rattle them. We live in a rural area where dogs run free so putting him outside was not an option. He wasn't interested in any scratching posts no matter how much catnip I put on them. We also had another cat (who came to us declawed) who he would shred to pieces. I even checked into kitty Prozac. Vet recommended declawing or that he be put to sleep. I doubt he would have been adoptable by another family. The pounds and Humane Societies are filled with kittens and cats that are better candidates. I chose declawing.

He suffered no ill effects and is still a very aggressive cat and we are dealing with biting now.

I posted here explaining some of the issues we are dealing with.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=873223

 

[JennyMominRI]

Luigi is front declawed. I tried everything under the sun first. Soft Paws came off like Lee Press On Nails, even when I paid PetSmart $$$ to put them on for me. I tried wrapping him in a towel and clipping his nails which resulted in me getting clawed and bit and him losing a great deal of fur because he always wigged out. I could have given a flip about curtains or couches, because Pete does more damage to them than 10 cats. The problem that I had was that he would attack us while we slept. Pete had numerous scratches to his face. Cat scratches are nasty things and can get infected very easily (think of litterbox residue under their claws and you get the picture). Tried closing our doors at night, but he would cry to get in and even stick his paw under the doors and rattle them. We live in a rural area where dogs run free so putting him outside was not an option. He wasn't interested in any scratching posts no matter how much catnip I put on them. We also had another cat (who came to us declawed) who he would shred to pieces. I even checked into kitty Prozac. Vet recommended declawing or that he be put to sleep. I doubt he would have been adoptable by another family. The pounds and Humane Societies are filled with kittens and cats that are better candidates. I chose declawing.

He suffered no ill effects and is still a very aggressive cat and we are dealing with biting now.

I posted here explaining some of the issues we are dealing with.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=873223

I just wanted to comment.I know I've made a couple metions of cat scratches being a normal thing with cats..I'm talking about occasional scratches, nothing like what this post is talking about.
I would probably declaw a cat if he acted like this

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Luigi is front declawed. I tried everything under the sun first. Soft Paws came off like Lee Press On Nails, even when I paid PetSmart $$$ to put them on for me. I tried wrapping him in a towel and clipping his nails which resulted in me getting clawed and bit and him losing a great deal of fur because he always wigged out. I could have given a flip about curtains or couches, because Pete does more damage to them than 10 cats. The problem that I had was that he would attack us while we slept. Pete had numerous scratches to his face. Cat scratches are nasty things and can get infected very easily (think of litterbox residue under their claws and you get the picture). Tried closing our doors at night, but he would cry to get in and even stick his paw under the doors and rattle them. We live in a rural area where dogs run free so putting him outside was not an option. He wasn't interested in any scratching posts no matter how much catnip I put on them. We also had another cat (who came to us declawed) who he would shred to pieces. I even checked into kitty Prozac. Vet recommended declawing or that he be put to sleep. I doubt he would have been adoptable by another family. The pounds and Humane Societies are filled with kittens and cats that are better candidates. I chose declawing.

He suffered no ill effects and is still a very aggressive cat and we are dealing with biting now.

I posted here explaining some of the issues we are dealing with.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=873223

In your case, you had a valid reason to declaw. You have a vicious cat. But, in your own words, declawing did not solve the problem. I hope you can work through his biting. Is Pete afraid of the cat?

 

[taximomfor4]

I would never get my cat Circumsized

This thread has had me laughing for so long that now I am CRYING with laughter!

Beth

 

[JennyMominRI]

This thread has had me laughing for so long that now I am CRYING with laughter!

Beth

I wish I could take credit for that quote,but It's not mine. LOL

 

[Lanshark]

Declawing and circumcision in the same thread...

Let's throw in refillable mugs and see what happens

 

[Beth76]

Declawing and circumcision in the same thread...

Let's throw in refillable mugs and see what happens

What about pool hopping!!!

I apologize, I'm the one who brought circumcision into the mix. So many people were saying how it is unnecessary and cruel to declaw cats. So, I simply asked how many of those people had their sons circ'd because that could also be considered unnecessary and cruel. I know many people don't even give a second thought to that and that's talking about their child.

 

[Pete's Mom]

In your case, you had a valid reason to declaw. You have a vicious cat. But, in your own words, declawing did not solve the problem. I hope you can work through his biting. Is Pete afraid of the cat?

No, Pete loves him to pieces and is very very kind to him. He will sit down and just softly pet Luigi and talk sweet to him, but after a few minutes Luigi will just pounce on him and nip at him. Pete will come to me really upset because he doesn't understand why Luigi does it. Sometimes, Pete gets frustrated and picks him up and puts him in "Time Out" (puts him in the bathroom and closes the door).

Right now I am lying on the bed and if I get up to go into the kitchen Luigi will rush out and bite the top of my feet, not hard enough to draw blood, but it still hurts. Sometimes he just walks around flicking his tail like he is very angry for no reason at all. I just don't get it.

I am really hoping that he will mellow out in time. He is part of the family and I can't imagine getting rid of him or putting him down.

 

[Pete's Mom]

Oh, and here is another thing. Pete is at his dad's this weekend and when this happens Luigi walks around the house wailing this annoying cry like he is looking for Pete.

 

[taximomfor4]

And if you want a good reason to declaw cats that has nothing to do with benefitting people..... I've seen my cats (before they were declawed) get their claws stuck in things. I've even had a cat climb up a screen door and get stuck. Good thing we were home; who knows how long he could have been hanging there.

Hmmm...as one of my cats runs across the house and I hear her claws catching the carpet with every step... "ClickClickClickClickClick." Wish I knew what to do about THAT, she was semi feral. Trapped from the wild, and taken into a shelter. The shelter thought she was young enough to be "rehabbed." But after almost 3 months in a cage there, nobody wanted her. I finally adopted her because her card was tilted (she was slated for euthanasia). She hid nonstop for about a week, then started coming around. Even now, a year and a half later, she backs away if anyone is standing up. We have TRIED to take her to the vet, but the vet tech ended up pretty badly bit and cut up, as did the vet. They insisted it was their fault, she had growled and hissed several times but they kept her pinned down. Thsi was all for a checkup. She is a wonderful cat, lays with me all the time. Doesn' t really go around the kids much, but doesn't get mean with them either. We have a NO TOLERANCE policy for lifting up cats, or trapping them in any way.

This was all a long way to ask what to do with her claws. I live worried that she will split one, or something. She doesn't EVER claw anything. Not scratch posts,NOTHING. Her claws, as I mentioned before, catch in the carpets with every step she takes. I can't take her to the vet, because she cannot stand to be confined or held or pinned down. Its even hit or miss to get her flea prevention on her!

Any ideas?
BethM

ps: This cat lived most of her first year outside in the wild, and now has COMPLETELY NO INTEREST in going out the door!

 

[taximomfor4]

What about pool hopping!!!

I apologize, I'm the one who brought circumcision into the mix. So many people were saying how it is unnecessary and cruel to declaw cats. So, I simply asked how many of those people had their sons circ'd because that could also be considered unnecessary and cruel. I know many people don't even give a second thought to that and that's talking about their child.

Perhaps circ is an issue left unquestioned because it DOES call into play religion. To many people, religion is the most important aspect of life. Or as DH said, "Why are people asking about our son's nether regions? We aren't asking about THEIRS!!"

Honestly, about the declaw thing, I have one cat front-claw declawed (friend who works at humane society was flipping because they had about 12 cats to euthanise that night -- not enough cages.) She called everyone she knew, and those who COULD ran up and adopted. 6 adopted cats opened up 6 cages for 6 of the 12 cageless cats in the office slated for euthanasia. I kept the cat on the sly at my apartment, hoping I could get my house bought and get moved, before management found out. They found out... Skeeter sat in the window too much so was noticed. Apartment makes you pay pet rent and cat MUST be declawed and spayed. So Skeeter went in for the procedure. My OTHER cat, the one that was trapped from the wild and adopted from another local shelter, HAS claws still .... and always will.

About circ/uncirc, I consulted with dh. In fact, left it completely up to him. He discussed at length with our kids' ped, and in the end made his decision. An informed decision that he feels comfortable with. If he feels comfortable with it, I trust him. My son is a happy, well-adjusted child.

 

[Aidensmom]

Oh, and here is another thing. Pete is at his dad's this weekend and when this happens Luigi walks around the house wailing this annoying cry like he is looking for Pete.

Our cat does the same thing if Aiden is not home. On occasion Aiden will spend the night at one of his grandmothers, and the cat will wander the house looking for him the entire time. The funny thing is, she does not pay him so much attention when he is home, except for a few spontaneous playing sessions, but she does sleep in his room every night (in the sink of his Fisher Price kitchen ) when he goes to bed.

Someone said something about declawing to protect children meant nothing because an aggressive cat will still be aggressive. I believe I am the one who first brought up doing it for my child. Our cat is not at all aggressive, she is just extremely playful and bats at us in play. I have no regrets about considering my child's safety.

As far as everyone just saying declawing is for "convenience". When I was a kid, I had a very major surgery reconstructing one of my legs for "convenience" reasons. I could still function perfectly well, just would have had other kids laugh at me for the way I walked/looked. I was in a cast from thigh to toe for 4 months, and then had to take 1-2 months to re-learn how to walk. Was it necessary surgery? No. Was it painful. Yes. Was it cruel? You decide.

 

[IamTink]

How can any of you say its not cruel to amputate half a cats finger?? Do they not have feelings and bleed red? Some people don't think of cats as human and they are. If it makes you feel better to say it fine but outside cat or not its still cruel.
Here is a great site on it
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/declaw.html

Here is the procedure- Very Graphic
http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html

Well, I feel that it's cruel & after seeing the graphic pictures which I think everyone that is pro declawing should HAVE to see, I feel even more strongly about it. I do not have cats. I have 3 dogs & they're allowed on the furniture & anything else they choose.

Pets are part of your family. Would you consider doing that to another family member? What about your toddler that's biting others or hitting others or scratching others?

 

[IamTink]

What about pool hopping!!!

I apologize, I'm the one who brought circumcision into the mix. So many people were saying how it is unnecessary and cruel to declaw cats. So, I simply asked how many of those people had their sons circ'd because that could also be considered unnecessary and cruel. I know many people don't even give a second thought to that and that's talking about their child.

You're right! Circucmcision is an extremely barbaric & painful procedure. No anesthesia & some docs say the procedure is so quick that it would hurt to inject the area w/lidocaine because that stings. I have had the unfortunate experience of having to assist doctors w/this procedure. The baby starts crying as soon as you start to gently place him into the special table w/the velcro straps to hold arms & legs in place while this barbaric procedure occurs. Parents are sent away while it's being done as their childs screaming would be intolerable for them, or should be.

Circs do have some religious aspects brought in but for the most part is done for cosmetic reasons. My oldest son was circumcised before I even knew it in the military hospital he was born in. When my younger son was born I asked to have him circumcised. The pediatrician did not think that the actual foreskin which did not cover the entire head was enough & would effect his "performance" as an adult & could be painful to "perform". Well, I did not want to mess w/that. I did tell the doctor that if my son came asking for a circ when he was older I'd be banging on the pediatricians door. Well, when he was 16, he wanted it & wouldn't even date & stopped participating in sports as he didn't want to be in the showers in the locker room. Took him to three urologists & the first two said no & my husband (his step-father) went in w/the third one & cut right to the chase & explained more than frankly why this was effecting him in a negative way & he had to have it done, period. So, he chose himself to have it done at age 16, much more painful for an adult. He told me he was so glad he did it & plans to have any sons he has circumcised. So, there's both sides of that coin.

Back to the religion thing. They remove women's pleasure zone in some cultures & there's much action going on to stop that as it's considered by the rest of the world to be barbaric but in that country (can't remember which one) it's religious.

What were we talking about?

 

[2BigKIdz]

I have never had a declawed cat, but we recently bought new furniture so I was really thinking about it for my youngest cat. He scratches EVERYTHING! He tore up my other couch and love seat, not to mention the carpet. He has cat scratchers made of sisal, made of carpet, with catnip, without catnip and he pays zero attention to them after a day or two. So I talked to my vet about having him decalwed, she flat out refuses to do it and explained to me that it's not just removing claws, as I thought, but cutting off part of their toes. Okay, can't do that to the cat. She GUARANTEED me if I trim his claws every 2 weeks and get him the sisal scratcher he will not touch the furniture, boy was she wrong. I have tried everything I know to keep him from scratching the furniture, luckily he is not bothering the new furniture, I have a berber rug in my dining room that he scratches the most, it was $30 at Sam's so if he tears it up I'll just replace it, better that than the furniture. I just don't have it in me to have him declawed.