declawing cats....cruelty?

[tiggersmom2]

I formula fed my child

Me too.....just b/c I WANTED to!!!

 

[Aidensmom]

But did you prop the bottle?
Just wanted to use the scary smiley

DS was only able to eat when upright, I just never could figure out quite how to hang the bottle from the ceiling so it would work.

 

[Aidensmom]

OK, I apologize for getting off topic....

Back to the cruelty conversation.

 

[nwdisgal]

I guess I'll see you there

That's okay. HS is after me for letting my cats outside into the fierce and rugged out of doors, so I'll be joining you.

I'm wondering if any of you cat fans have ever watched a horse having its shoes put on? They drive nails through the hoof to attach the shoe.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Amputating any part of a creature's body is what seems so awful to me. I can't compare it to spaying a female cat unless it's the same as comparing chopping one's fingers off to a hysterectomy. Somehow it just seems different.

I don't get my cats declawed and luckily we haven't had any that clawed furniture in quite a while. We did have a stubborn kitty at one time and couldn't stop the cat from clawing no matter what we did. I finally had him declawed and never felt right about it. But to each their own.

I am curious about the laser declawing though. If that is less invasive, it might be the way to go if I come across another chronic clawer.

We seem to have exactly the same viewpoint.

And Beth, as to your question--I've been there, done that concerning both declawing and circumsizing and have no plans to repeat either. I now have 2 cats with their claws and one son who was not circumsized (2 that were).

I also agree that my cats do not shred the furniture at all. The only thing they have ever done to the carpet is some damage when one was locked in our study. If I had a terrible shredder that didn't respond to having its nails clipped, scratching posts, etc, I might would look into the laser declawing. But I'm talking about a last resort, not something that is done to a kitten "just in case".

T&B


Oh, is there still time to pop the popcorn before the thread is closed? I might just have time to pour my cup of coffee...

T&B

 

[720L]

I actually started laughing when I read the post that people that declaw their cats don't want to take the time to train the cat. HELLO?! Train a cat? They have minds of their own and if they want to scratch they will scratch--I think the only reason they use litter boxes is because they are "clean" creatures by nature. Cats do exactly what they want to do.

 

[Charade]

I actually started laughing when I read the post that people that declaw their cats don't want to take the time to train the cat. HELLO?! Train a cat? They have minds of their own and if they want to scratch they will scratch--I think the only reason they use litter boxes is because they are "clean" creatures by nature. Cats do exactly what they want to do.

FTR, cats CAN be trained to do all sorts of things including pooping in a toilet. Getting them to flush is still quite hard to do.

 

[skiwee1]

I have 3 spoiled persian babies......declawed. No...there is no remote possibility of them getting outside. I am happy with my decision as is my furniture, curtains, carpet, bedding, shower curtains and some clothing. The cats never had any problem after it was done......I don't feel the need to justify my actions.

ITA. When we get a cat, we get it declawed. They are indoor cats. WE have no worries about them tearing up stuff like the cats we had before that did that. When they were declawed they were fine. We never saw any bloody paws and they walked around just fine.

 

[skiwee1]

Hey!

I
Oh and Beth.....I have declawed kitties and circumsized boys....I am so going to hell!!!!!

You do realize that you took your sons natural defenses of preventing infection away when you got them circed didn't you?

 

[tiff211]

Well, after scratching DD2 AGAIN on her toes and drawing blood, we are definitely getting him declawed. I know, I know he's playing with her. But mom always told me when two people are playing a game and one of them starts crying, it's not a game anymore. My poor baby has marks all over her feet and legs. Somehow she is his his main "victim". I think he thinks he is the lion and she is the gazelle.

I wonder what's more painful, declawing or have a 2 year old foot extracted from your rear?! DD2 is now in retaliation mode.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

ITA. When we get a cat, we get it declawed. They are indoor cats. WE have no worries about them tearing up stuff like the cats we had before that did that. When they were declawed they were fine. We never saw any bloody paws and they walked around just fine.

Me, too.

What upsets me though is some rescue organizations won't let you adopt a cat if you have declawed in the past. Isn't a permanent forever home good enough? Seems dumb.

 

[SDFgirl]

After much deliberation and thought, I declawed my two cats. I have to say, it broke my heart, but I feel reluctantly glad I did it.

I was one who was totally against declawing. When I got my two cats, I was a single gal with (let's just say) "shabby chic" furniture. My cats had a scratching post they used a lot, but they also had a old chair they scratched and I didn't mind. Flash forward...the cats and I move in with my fiance. Now, my fiance loves the cats, but wasn't totally enthusiastic about the fur, litter box, etc...so when they IGNORED their scratching post and went to town on his brand new (not even paid off), really nice couches, he was a little distressed. We tried everything - coke can filled with pennies, spray bottle, and each time the cats would stop momentarily and then resume scratching a few minutes later. The couch was starting to get ruined. That's when I started thinking of declawing.

It took a LOT of thought before doing it. I was very sad to do it. Yes, their recovery was painful, but I paid out the wazoo for extra pain meds - I think that helped a lot.

Within two weeks, it was as if it never happened. The kitties were just as they had always been - running around, batting at things, cuddling with me, and even still "scratching" on the couch. I have noticed NO ill effects in their personalities or health. They are very happy, content, pampered indoor cats! And my fiance doesn't have to resent me or them.

Do I think it can be a solution? Yes.
Do I think it should be a last resort? Absolutely.
Do I think it's cruel? Not necessarily. With proper veterinary care and pain medications, I think it's like any other surgery - unpleasant, uncomfortable, but recover-able.

 

[MickeysMommy]

Please, please, please do NOT declaw your cats!

 

[snoopy]

I never had any of my cats declawed, and I never had any problems with any of them wrecking my furniture or scratching my kids. Like children, they need to be taught what they can and can't get away with. I would never declaw a cat, it seems cruel to me, but thats just me for those of you ready to lay into me.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

I actually started laughing when I read the post that people that declaw their cats don't want to take the time to train the cat. HELLO?! Train a cat? They have minds of their own and if they want to scratch they will scratch--I think the only reason they use litter boxes is because they are "clean" creatures by nature. Cats do exactly what they want to do.

No way! I disagree here. I have "trained" my cat not to get on my table or counters. Both cats I have owned, did not ever get on my table or counters. Why? Because I was adamant about teaching them OFF.

If cats do what they want, when they want, and are untrainable, then my kitty would be all over the table and counters. Like my sister's cats. She is not. It did take awhile, but she finally got the message, and she does not go on the table or counters. So, yes, you can train cats.

 

[lilkitty819]

2 years ago we got 2 kittens at the same time from a shelter, with that being said I've always have had cats all my life.I believed that declawing was mean till we got the last 2 kittens, well one of the kittens was pure crazy he would climb everything in sight and we could not get him to stop. Now the other kitten would use and still does use the scrathing post.Kitty number 1 got declawed he never had a problem with it even a day after it was done he was walk and playing and kneading with no problem and his personalty never changed so would I have a cat declawed again yes I also find they make better lap cats because I don't have claws digging in my knees or thigh.

 

[Laura]

Do I think it can be a solution? Yes.
Do I think it should be a last resort? Absolutely.
Do I think it's cruel? Not necessarily. With proper veterinary care and pain medications, I think it's like any other surgery - unpleasant, uncomfortable, but recover-able.

I completely agree with that. I don't think it's cruel, but I don't think it's necessary and should be done as a last resort after other things have been tried.

(why is Maleficent bouncing?)

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

I know this is slightly OT but has anyone used SoftPaws? They are plastic covers that are glued to the cats claws. I heard about them on another board awhile back. I have never had a cat so I can't contribute anything else to this discussion.

http://www.softpaws.com

Nicole

 

[Kitty 34]

It's threads like this one that makes me wish summer would never end and school begin. I haven't had such good reading since Ann Rule's last book!!!

We have a big yard and an even bigger thicket behind us so our 3 cats and two kittens have plenty of things to scratch and climb outside so no we would not declaw a cat.

However my sister's cat next door is declawed and as happy as a clam as are my boys years after their circumsisions!!! (what a smilie!!!)

 

[helenabear]

But, I have a right to an opinion. and IMO , it is cruel. I was just wondering if there was in fact any reason other than saving furniture, carpet, ect to have a cat declawed.

Our cat would NOT let us cut her claws. Never! And the vet even had a heck of a time doing it too. She even nipped too far and caused bleeding. It would take three people to hold her down to get about half of them done. She wouldn't use the scratching posts we had to dull them enough and we were all afraid that would cause damage to her claws (splitting, cracking, infections). She did no damage to anything, but the vet even suggested it. I wouldn't have done it otherwise. It isn't the greatest thing in the world to do, but I know it is a lot easier on them and a lot less is removed now than 10 years ago.

I would rather not do it again, but I would if I felt like I had to (in the case of my cat, I felt like I had to as did our vet)