I'm *very* strongly on the AGAINST side of declawing. To me, it's cruel, unless ALL other options have been tried first. You're taking away part of what makes a cat a cat -- like, their ability to climb, part of how they mark their territory, their ability to defend themselves (yes, they'll compensate, but so do people who lose a leg). Declawing effectively removes every finger from the first joint to the tip of the finger. How would you like to go through life with that handicap? Yes, it's doable, yes they can live healthy and happy lives after being declawed, so could you after losing 1/3 of every one of your fingers. But that doesn't mean it's something nice to do just because you think your cat's claws are too sharp or you're tired of the cat clawing the furniture.
I only support it if training has been attempted and failed, if correct scratching surfaces have been provided in ample amount (not just one in the entire house) and failed, if trimming has been tried and failed, and if soft-paws have been tried and failed, and so it essentially comes down to either making the cat an outdoor cat, getting rid of the cat, killing the cat, or declawing the cat -- only as a LAST resort do I support it.
Most people I know who declaw just aren't patient enough to try all the alternatives before making the decision to declaw. That, I don't support. If you aren't willing to put the time in to *try* to stop a cat's habits of scratching where inappropriate, then IMHO you don't need to own a cat. Go get a dog instead. If you *have* put that time in and that time has failed, or if there is some health reason that you *can't* risk putting that time in (and I've only heard of one so far that has satisfied me), then as a last resort, okay.
<b>If you do get any cats declawed, it is very, very, very, very, VERY important that you NEVER let the cat outdoors. </b> Ever. Unless on a leash or in a carrier. Claws are the cat's first line of defense either for climbing to escape trouble, or in attack. Remove that, then put your cat outdoors, and it's practically a death sentance. If you're going to try to put a declawed cat outdoors, find a new home for it.
Sorry if I sound harsh, but this is a pet peeve of mine with cat owners. When you buy a dog, you expect it to bark. "De-barking" a dog isn't readily accepted, and barking is part of a dog. So why is de-clawing a cat okay?
Maybe I misunderstood what you meant, so could you please clarify? Thanks.
