Petside.com

Cheryl Jones Lakewood CO May 6, 2009 5:12 PM

This data is very informative. My husband is a veterinarian, who upholds the AVMA view that declawing should be the very last alternative to living with cats, who come with claws, and although it could be argued that they actually USE them except to climb, hone them on scratch posts, etc., if declawing can be substituted for anything else but surgery, then it should.

However, I have to take exception to the study data that was published in 2003. It states that "80% of cats surrendered to shelters are declawed that have behavioral problems" and that is simply flat out inaccurate. Unfortunately, I can't cite the exact date, but the HSUS wrote more recently that approximately 2% of cats who are surrendered are declawed, and it expanded into the subject of surrendered vs seized by various agencies, meaning homeless or feral cats. The upshot was that most cats in shelters who are surrendered lose their homes due to the more well-known reasons, owner disinterest, economic woes, "we're moving and can't take her", etc.

Speaking of the HSUS, the statement that the surgery results in "health problems" has long been argued by the AVMA. The HSUS states that the surgery causes a "long, painful recovery and can result in behavioral problems". Any surgery is not without risk, but performed in sterile conditions with precautions given to the owners should not result in a painful recovery or complications. My husband has employed laser in surgery for almost ten years now, and it greatly assists in the healing process, virtually eliminates bleeding, and the combination fo laser and surgical glue expedites the healing tremendously. These methods have overtaken the older procedures utilizing excision by scalpel or clipper. The pads are left intact, and postsurgically, the paw looks the same as it did prior to the procedure.

Concering the comments regarding the practice as being "inhumane", it is a surgery, performed in sterile conditions, with anesthesia and pain control. The cat is sent home with pain meds, which most times aren't needed. Again, last resort. My husband always counsels clients about the alternatives, and is emphatic that the cat should never be permitted outside unsupervised, after the procedure. The procedure doesn't seem to be as "popular" as it was formerly, and that is probably due to the fact that most people don't have the funds for "elective" procedures. But for those who do, my husband always says it is best to perform the procedure if it means the cat will stay in the home, rather than end up in a shelter or worse. They're much more important than furniture or draperies. If furniture destruction can be resolved in other methods other than declawing, it's best to try everything else first.

Donna May 6, 2009 5:13 PM

I never thought I would have a cat declawed, but when I found and adopted Clifton at 6 weeks of age, he had such a hatred of children...and my granddaughter was 6 weeks old as well. I discussed the pros and cons with my vet and went ahead with the procedure to protect the baby. My newest addition, Mouse, now 2, is NOT declawed, nor were any of the 12 I had living at home all inside before my divorce. I've learned it's all in buying the right kind of fabric for your furniture and carpet for your house...PLUS supplying them with plenty of scratching opportunities...they especially love sisal rope wrapped poles and corrugated cardboard scratchers. I also have a big "basket" in my living room they use occasionally but I don't mind. When it gets raunchy looking, I'll just replace it. I'll probably be tired of by then anyway. hehe

jmuhj May 6, 2009 5:16 PM

If a person would get his or her own finger joints whacked off (with the best medical and followup care, of course), then by all means, I'd agree with their having this barbarous, cruel and absolutely unnecessary procedure done on their cats. Until that day, I'll continue to fight for legislation making declawing ILLEGAL in all fifty states.

Vicki May 6, 2009 6:01 PM

My son had his cat declawed years ago but did not know the extent of what it involved. If he knew then what he knows today, he would have never done it. I wish this practice would be outlawed. Vets do not tell you what your cat will be going through when they are ask to do this. And this should be made into law a well.

Iniki May 6, 2009 6:10 PM

We have never declawed a cat ever. There is always an alternative to this terrible surgery. I have first hand, seen the terrible aftermath of this surgery. Several of our rescued cats that we took in as fosters were declawed. They had mental and behavioral issues. It almost broke my heart to see them walk up to our scratching poets and attempt to stretch and use their, now, non-existent claws. Several of these cats refused to use litter pans and at least three of them had issues with biting people.
This terrible surgery should be outlawed. With training and patience cats will learn the proper place to scratch and aggression issues can be handled with "Soft Paw" Nail covers. Getting off my soap box now. Thanks.

Amy May 7, 2009 5:44 AM

Its a shame what humans do to animals! It makes me so mad that something like this has been happening. All it takes is a little reading before getting a pet to find out if this pet is right for you. If people would just learn what the possible down side is before getting a pet there would not be a "good reason" to have a pet endure such pain. Owning a cat comes with draw back for sure, if you value your good furniture and drapes more than you value your pet then don't get one. The same can be said for owning any pet. People wake up please and consider every thing BEFORE getting any pet.

Ruth May 7, 2009 6:09 AM

What a brilliant article !! Thank God someone has the nerve to speak out about this horrendous procedure and thank God too that your editor allowed this very informative article to be on-line to help educate those who think declawing a cat is acceptable.Declawing is NEVER justified !Cats are born with claws because they need them,and no matter what anyone says, many cats do suffer physically and mentally from this operation.Many vets won't do this now, but sadly, some of the ones who still do,don't explain what the operation actually entails, that a perfectly healthy cat is turned into a disabled cat ! This supposed to be last resort procedure is also quite often done on kittens, routinely along with neutering, those kittens deprived for their lifetime of the claws they were born with, just incase they scratch ....that can't be right !!Vets should NOT offer it as a package deal, therefore encouraging clients to have their pet mutilated. Here in England,where declawing is banned as animal abuse, we are determined to get it banned in the USA too:
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=4312
To put it quite simply,everyone knows cats have claws, anyone who doesn't like that fact should NOT get a cat.Cats are living, breathing, feeling, beings, NOT possessions to be adapted.
(Retired vet nurse and lifetime of voluntary cat rescue)

Edward in England May 7, 2009 6:32 AM

Great write up ! A declawed cat can do far more damage to your home than a clawed cat,anyone not convinced have a look at this on a wonderful new website just up and running :
http://www.catbegood.com/declawing/drawbacks/
which I've just been sent by a fellow anti declaw campaigner.
I grew up with cats and I still have cats and would never ever ever cripple them in this cruel way, even if it was legal where I live.
It's time it was banned worldwide !!

Rose May 7, 2009 6:42 AM

That is so good ! I hope you don't mind if I put a link to some 'horrible truths' about declawing:
http://clawsforever.ning.com/group/thehorribletruth/forum
One states her cat 'tottered around uncertainly on nubs where toes should have been' .....that describes it exactly where toes SHOULD have been.These are only a handful of true stories of what can and often does go wrong.Amputation or lasering,the outcome is the same, the cat is crippled for life ! For pity's sake,lets stop this outdated barbaric practice right NOW !

fran willows England May 7, 2009 6:47 AM

I still find it hard to believe that people have cats declawed because they have children! Why oh why is it necessary to mutilate an innocent animal, who was given claws by mother nature to defend themselves, so that a child, who should be taught not to taunt cats or ANY animals can be allowed to not have any respect for cats. I have had cats all my life, and raised children and grandchildren, had nieces and nephews, even nice expensive furniture, and do you know what? I have NEVER had any cat of mine declawed nor would i EVER think about doing so. Let us leave cats to be the way that God intended them to be with paws and claws fully complete.

Michele in Cyprus May 7, 2009 7:25 AM

Having grown up in a country where declawing isn't practised, I was shocked and horrified when I first heard about it. I'm not surprised that at least 25 countries consider it a form of animal cruelty and have banned it.

Literally millions of people worldwide have babies, children, furniture or compromised immune systems, yet we can live happily with cats and their claws. If we can do it - why can't everyone? Owning a pet is not mandatory, if someone cannot accept that a cat has claws, then it is clearly not the right pet for that person.

Kizzy Man ENGLAND May 7, 2009 8:17 AM

What is wrong with all these geezers wanting to maim and mutilate poor cats?????????? Holy catkins people, what ever happened to giving animals a right to live a proper and fulfilled life. If you have an animal with paws, claws are not an optional extra, they are a god given right. Leave animals alone for gawds sake, blow the furniture and teach the kids RESPECT!

Dani May 7, 2009 8:18 AM

Great article WTG Jo!
Declaw is a controversial subject that basically breaks down into two opposing groups. Those that own Cats and those who love Cats. Both sides holding firm to their point of view.

The major point of difference being ownership versus love. Most owners think of a cat as their property. Which in their point of view gives them complete rights over the welfare of the cat. They feel perfectly justified to put there personal wants above those of the cats

Most cat lovers on the other hand consider a cat to be a sentient being and treat them as such rather than property.
They feel the cats well being far out weighs any inconvenience the cat may or may not cause.

These are two fundamentally different an opposing view point that will never meet. The only hope you have of changing someone's point of view on this is by education.

Wilf May 7, 2009 8:27 AM

Grand article ! When will the USA and Canada catch up with the civilised world ? Cats are not for us to abuse in any way at all,declawing is so very cruel, I didn't know it was done to kittens,poor little souls never to know the joy of their claws. How can anyone want it done to their cat and how can any vet do it ???? It stinks !!!!

Barbara May 7, 2009 10:52 AM

There can be no justification for declawing a cat,anyone who thinks so little of a living and loving creature as to want to adapt it to their whim has no business having a cat in the first place, furniture is nothing but inanimate material possessions and nowhere near as important as a cats right to own the claws it was born with. Excuses and justification for their actions from veterinary surgeons are plenty but the bottom line is that they make good money from this cosmetic procedure so why should they bother with principles when the bank account can be nicely fattened up?

Georgette May 7, 2009 10:56 AM

Cats need their claws to walk,to groom,to exercise properly (which builds up their leg, shoulder, and back muscles)and to defend themselves too.I am horrified at how many people have their cat declawed and when the resulting behavioural problems begin, call the poor thing a 'bad cat'and the cat is either kicked outside to be defenceless at the mercy of other animals, or dumped at a rescue centre, to sit in misery in a cage with little hope of another home.Then to face death at a young age, all because of the ignorant selfish people who did that to them. Sheesh, it makes my blood boil.Let's help get it stopped,I'll be signing that petition above.Look out those vets who top up their bank accounts with blood money,they ought to care for animals as they were trained to do,not condemn them with this totally uncalled for mutilation.They should educate their clients as to how to train their cat to a acratching post.
How many more cats have to suffer before the USA joins the countries who have already seen the light !!!!

Walter S May 7, 2009 10:58 AM

Hear hear! Well said, anyone who wants their cat declawed should trade off a finger end for every claw that gets cut off! Maybe if vets lost a finger or two they wouldn't be so keen on mutilating cats either.

Godi May 7, 2009 11:08 AM

Brilliant article and full of facts and good sense. How can people say "the pain doesn't last for long"...there should be no pain because it should never be done, I can't think of a single shred of justification for depriving cats of their claws. We manage nicely in England with cats and claws so what makes the USA so different and special may I ask?

sickened off, ex vet tech May 7, 2009 11:08 AM

Well said author and all those against the de-toeing of cats! Lets face the truth now, it IS de-teoing. This is another slant on de-toeing/clawing....from a cat's point of view ....
http://www.squidoo.com/anti-declaw

Aunty M May 7, 2009 11:26 AM

Very well written, no matter what justification is offered the fact remains that it is cruel, unnatural and unnecessary.
"Don't want claws?
Don't get a cat!
It's not rocket science
It's as simple as that!"

Henry May 7, 2009 12:40 PM

Still laughing at the poem above,spot on Aunty,well you have to laugh or you'd cry, wouldn't you ! If you kept thinking of all the cats going through agony then left crippled, you'd not sleep at night.STOP IT NOW !!!

Donna May 13, 2009 6:26 AM

Of my 5 cats, 3 are declawed. (It's a long story, but it started with having to have Clifton declawed to protect my granddaughter (see above)). None of the cats seem to have any issues at all...They still "sharpen their claws" on scratching posts, etc. Wheezel was done at 6 months because I didn't want her put under anethesia twice (she has asthma) and only because she was mimic-ing her brother Clifton "scratch" on the door. Missy Toe my vet insisted doing at a very young age...because the bones are softer and it's easier on them. I'm not pro OR con on the procedure, I think it depends on the circumstances. Of course my cats are 100% indoor cats, but I cannot see any difference in problems or attitudes in the 3 that are declawed and the 2 that aren't. I doubt I'd have any other kitten declawed, if I ever adopt again though, it may be an already declawed adult.

Donna May 13, 2009 6:29 AM

Also, the article written by Cheryl (first entry) was very well written and I feel very accurate. When the cats came home from surgery, they had no trouble walking or jumping UP onto things. I WAS very careful not to let them jump DOWN though!

Allan Tan June 8, 2009 10:38 AM

I think I must agree that declawing is the last resort, and unless all alternatives has failed. I hope all cat owners will get to fully understand the connection of the claws to the cats. http://www.catcustomer.com/

shell in ohio June 23, 2009 12:53 AM

to declaw a cat is like cutting off our toes and telling us to walk. very cruel.

Carl July 8, 2009 1:03 PM

While I agree that declawing should be a last resort, the logic of some people escapes me. Why is 'declawing' barbaric but chopping off or scooping out a cats reproductive organs 'encouraged and humane'?? Im sure Fluffy gets little comfort from knowing his nads were cut off to help control the pet population. I would personally rather have the tips of my toes cut off and keep my manhood. If you dont believe in declawing, that's fine. But if you also had your cat spade or neutered dont cry 'barbarism' to others for their decision to declaw. In my opinion your no better.

Marc August 21, 2009 10:48 AM

I have had many cats in my life. None were declawed. They all had some behavioural problems. I beleive now that cats are/were not meant to be living in houses with humans. They should be living in the wild or outside in a barn, whatever.

I have not had any pets in the last 20 years. I feel that too many people put pets first instead of working on human relationships. We should work harder at fixing our broken lives/families/ societies, than waste our prescious short lives attaching our fragile emotions to pets. Some will say in some cases, this is the only way to deal with life issues, but that is probably because they haven't tried hard enough/ or have given up after a couple of bad experiences.

Stray cat/dog populations are exploding and our taxes are being used to eliminate them. Pet owners(or the ones that want to become one) should take a real hard look at the consequences of not making a life commitment to these pets, as most will end up being given away/destroyed/ or disposed of down a lonely dirt road.

dave August 27, 2009 10:14 AM

I am always amazed that people want the "right to choose" to kill an unborn baby but get all bent out of shape when someone wants to declaw a cat.

Kathy Heaton September 17, 2009 7:36 PM

I play with my cats' feet whenever I pet the animals - extend each toe, massage the pad; they're accustomed to having their feet handled since kittenhood. So it's no big deal when I begin trimming their claws. Even the occasional adult that joins the household learns to tolerate a trim.

30 years ago I had a cat declawed and there were no complications or negative changes in his behavior. A few years later I had a second cat declawed. That sweet cat started grabbing me whenever I tried to pet him, and began ripping with his hind claws - something he'd never done prior. Then he added biting... and I don't meant "nip." I could no longer handle my pet.

I will never declaw, or recommend declawing, another cat.

Kristyl September 18, 2009 1:30 AM

most of you are jumping on a cruelty to animals bandwagon. How many of you realize that declawed cats are the first to be grabbed up from shelters, rather than being put down? Cats claws can cause a lot of serious injuries and damage and here in Socal...we don't have outdoor cats, due to Coyotes...so claws aren't needed. I have four cats and had them all declawed as kittens. They had less pain than when they were spayed and neutered and the only problem I had was trying to keep them from running around too much while they were healing. As adults, it's much tougher on them. Also, in a multiple pet household, it's much better. I have four little dogs who would have gotten their eyes scratched out by now and also the cats would have torn each other up in little scuffs over the years. As it stands now, I have four beautiful cats with no health issues, not now, not ever. They are all over ten and have not ever missed using the litter box once, nor have they bitten or been destructive in any way. So, realize that these cats are more adoptable than cats who destroy your home, curtains, couches and whatever else. In my mind, it's more humane to keep animals in a house that don't destroy property etc. than for them to end up euthanized because of it. My cats jump, stretch, balance...and all the rest just fine and always have. You all that are protesting don't know what you're talking about. Stop comparing it to cutting your fingers off at the knuckles...I don't know too many humans that have had their testicles hacked off either!

Ginny C September 19, 2009 8:59 AM

We adopted a male cat that was in a bad situation. He is the only declawed cat we have ever owned. It's very sad to watch as Rico tries to scratch on the post we have for our other cats. And he is consistantly scratching on doors, furniture, and boxes. It's almost as if it's an obsession. He tends to bite when we pet him along his back. And will occasionally pull his hair out. (We have had him to the vet to be sure these behaviors aren't medical in nature. We have had cats for years and would rather have ragged furniture than this torture for our babies!

Ann Montague September 20, 2009 4:50 PM

This article, while informative, obviously is biased and actually rather incorrect. Declawing is not any more painful that spaying a cat- thus you should be sure the pet has proper pain control just like any other routine surgery. As for complications... if the surgery is done properly there are no complications. I am a veterinarian and would never own a cat that was not declawed.

Laura September 20, 2009 6:51 PM

BRAVO to Kristyl! Better a "declawed" cat than a DEAD one. I was at the animal shelter and was SHOCKED how overcrowded they were with cats. The shelter just didn't know where to put them all. I have kids and a dog and chose a declawed cat.

music-seed October 27, 2009 10:39 PM

I had to destroy a young juvenile male cat this morning because he literally had his face and eyes clawed off , I guess it happened last night since he appeared this morning and could not see a morsel of food I lay in front of him..sad and the thought of seeing his face makes me sick...presume it was an adult male that maimed him ..I guess declawing could have saved the little guy

Patty-O November 17, 2009 1:53 PM

I wish I would have known all this before I got the kitten. I feel like she is holding me hostage.

Brian December 12, 2009 10:39 AM

I just adopted a one-year-old cat and am going to have her declawed. End of story.