Why Would Anyone Do This To Their Cats??
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
August 29, 2007 12:42am CST
I've been looking over a few discussions about cats in general since some MyLotters were wondering what they should do with their cat or cats that constantly tear up or scratch at furniture and I was irritated to say the least when some people have said that they have declawed their cats and I have to admit I was outraged as I don't think people realize what declawing actually means...if they did I don't think they would have agreed to this mutilation, and that is what it is of a cat's paw.
In all the years I've had cats, and I've had them since I was five years old, and I'm now fifty-one, I've never had my cats' claws removed by this surgical procedure...like so what if they scratch or tear up the furniture a bit? Furniture can be replaced, a loving little soul in the form of a cat can't and there are so many alternatives to declawing...Also, any vet who actually reccommends this procedure to my mind is not worthy to be a vet in the first place,...most vets are totally against declawing...
For those of you not familiar with the declawing procedure here's a few quotes from this website:
...."Contrary to most people's understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws, but the whole phalanx (up to the joint), including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated. Thus declawing is not a “simple”, single surgery but 10 separate, painful amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint of each finger.
Many vets and clinic staff deliberately misinform and mislead clients into believing that declawing removes only the claws in the hopes that clients are left with the impression that the procedure is a "minor" surgery comparable to spay/neuter procedures and certainly doesn't involve amputation (partial or complete) of the terminal-toe bone, ligaments and tendons. Some vets rationalize the above description by saying that since the claw and the third phalanx (terminal toe bone) are so firmly connected, they simply use the expression "the claw" to make it simpler for clients to "understand". Other vets are somewhat more honest and state that if they used the word "amputation", most clients would not have the surgery performed! Onychectomy in the clinical definition involves either the partial or total amputation of the terminal bone. That is the only method. What differs from vet to vet is the type of cutting tool used (guillotine-type cutter, scalpel or laser)..."
For the complete article which shows a drawing of the procedure itself click here:
http://www.declawing.com/htmls/declawing.htm
Another website is the Humane Society Of America and what it has to say about this:
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/cat_care/declawing_cats_more_than_just_a_manicure/
So if you have a cat and are thinking of declawing...don't..there are many alternatives, even what are called nail caps as is shown here:
http://softpaws.com/about.html
19 people like this
48 responses
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I had a vet that had reccomended I declaw my cat when she was a kitten. When she was a kitten, she was the runt so she was like 2 lbs on a "fat" day and so tiny, her nails felt like tickles. So when she said that I looked into it as family was saying how my furniture would be ruined and what not. I read the same thing you posted and I thought, like hell is someone cutting off my child's fingers! The alternative for a long time was just having her nails trimmed by a vet (until she had a traumatic experience with people and now won't let strangers she doesn't see 24/7 touch her) but now we don't get them trimmed. She's never torn up my furniture, she started to stratch at it when she was little and a spray bottle and "no" fixed that quick. Two years ago thanks to some really hatefull people she was lost for a day and I was so glad she had her claws because I knew she could defend herself. Plus they use them for things like climbing or playing with toys or grabbing a treat and stuffing into their mouths, lol. I've got plenty of scars to proove she's got her claws, lol, but I'm glad that I didn't have her declawed.
Oh and I have an uncle who's girlfriend had their cat declawed because she didn't want it to mess up furniture and then a year later they sold their house and she made the cat stay outside because she didn't want cat hair on the rugs while they showed the house (umm... then vacum u lazy b*tch!) and the poor cat showed up to their house daily all beat up by dogs and what not and one day missing half an ear!
8 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I could give you a big hug for your response...LOL
I couldn't care less if my kitties scratch on the furniture, but thankfully they're not in the habit of doing that, that often. Every pet rescuer I know, and I've known many, are so against declawing..cats do need their claws for defense, especially since things do happen, as you relate how your kitty was missing for a day...Even people with indoor only cats, can at some point find that their cat may have snuck out. And I'm glad you gave the example of your uncle's girlfriend whose cat turned up all beaten up cause it DIDN'T have claws to defend himself while out--great example!!!
5 people like this
@gmakesmoney (2923)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Awww thanks! I do believe all cats need their claws, if they didn't they wouldn't be born with them, lol. They use them for play, to scratch an itch, to grab food or items, to climb up on a perch or furniture, when covering up in the poop box, to kneed things, to scratch their people parents, lol... they need them. If someone wants to declaw and put their pet through a surgical procedure just to save the trouble of either training their pet to only scratch on scratching posts or to save their furniture then that person isn't mature enough or ready for a pet at all.
Pets are not little luxury accessories or practice children, they are responsabilities and a life. To take on the responsability to take care of one means to look out for it's best interest, health and happiness beyond all else.
As for my uncle's girlfriend, I'd like to declaw her and remove her voice box too! She's one of those people who thinks she sh*ts rose scented gold bars and everyone and everything else in the world is benneith her despite the fact that she's a nobody, comes from nowhere, knows nothing and has nothing. They no longer have pets either, the moved and left the cat behind along with their dog. The new owner took the cat back into the house and kept their dog!
6 people like this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! for putting this up for all to see!! I totally agree with you because it IS inhumane to declaw a cat. May I add another page to visit about this?
http://www.web-tides.net/vir/declaw.html
I have had cats all of my life and have 7 right now and would never ever think of doing such a thing to them. Especially now that I know what it all entails.
6 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
Like you I've had kitties all my life, and it never ever crossed my mind to declaw them. I just wish many more people were aware of what declawing actually means to the cat..and thanks ever for that other link!!
2 people like this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
31 Aug 07
Oh I know what they do, I researched it before making that choice and I choosed not to do it after learning. That is horrible to do to any cat. We have 4 to 5 scratch posts in our house that our cats use and they leave the furniture alone, no need to do this to them, none.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Sep 07
I agree, there is no need to declaw a cat...thanks ever!
1 person likes this
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I would never ever have my cats declawed. Yes I've had to deal with my furniture getting scratched up from time to time, but that is why I buy inexpensive furniture to begin with. Besides if a person trains their cat right and provides enough of those scratching pads for their cat, it really does save the furniture.
I've heard of some spray on detourants, but don't know if they work or not since I've never used them. Like you said there are many alternatives out there. A person just has to be patient and realize that training their cat(s) is the best method out there.
4 people like this
@jeweledbluerose (3061)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I've never used them myself, because I worry that those spray ons may harm my pet in some way. My pet's health is really important to me and will always be one of my top priorities.
I did some searching around and some of the tips I saw for training a cat not to claw the furniture were the squirt bottle method along with a firm no, taping inflated balloons to the legs of the chairs or couch or wherever unwanted scratching is taking place (this method is only recommended for when the pet owner is home), apply a light spray of bitter apple or take an orange peel and lightly rub problematic areas with it, fill a soda can with some pennies and rig it in a manner that when the cat starts to scratch it will knock the can over producing a loud noise (cats don't like loud noises), and the most effective method in my personal opinion is providing the cat with enough stimuli that it doesn't get bored.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
30 Aug 07
I've always clapped my hands together in a way that makes a very loud pop.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I don't know if I would trust those sprays to deter cats scratching on furniture..God knows what chemicals are in them--might do more harm than good
2 people like this
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
29 Aug 07
Well Pyewacket my friend, I have to say when I first joined myLot I was absolutely horrified to read about this "declawing". here in the UK it is illegal,as it also is in all other parts of Europe, and I beleive in Australia too. I honestly didn't know it was still legal in the States. It is a disgusting and barbaric practice - if people want a cat with no claws perhaps they should buy a toy, stffed one instead - or maybe just have their own nails ripped out and see how they feel about it. I hope one day America adopts the rules of every other so-called civilied Western country, and bans it completely.
@BarBaraPrz (45487)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Aug 07
I believe it's still legal in Canada... at least 6 years ago it was, when someone I knew subjected their poor kitty to it.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
Maybe it's high time America followed suit and banned declawing..why this country hasn't yet, I'll never know...I've written to the Humane Society and ASPCA if some legislation and law can be passed to ban this hideous practice...so will see what they say
1 person likes this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
29 Aug 07
I never understood why anyone would want to declaw their cats. I've had several cats in my lifetime and they were never declawed. If people don't want their furniture ruined then don't have cats (or any other pets for that matter). It's one thing to get them spayed or neutered (after all it's helping to control the pet population), but declawing a cat is just wrong in my opinion. Plus how can it defend itself around other animals if it has no claws? Even an indoor cat can have this same problem around other pets in the home or if it happened to get outdoors. :( Just my 2 cents.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Well your 2 cents is very valid! Even indoor cats do need their claws for routine things people never think of...And from what I've read, cats who have been declawed are also at a risk for chronic infections throughout their lives or at least more susceptible to infections
4 people like this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
29 Aug 07
Yes I am sure people are not aware of what they are doing it is very very cruel but I guess they listen to people that are not really animal lovers on how to stop them from ruining the furniture, I just wish people would put themselves in any animals position before they do these things and maybe have a little more faith in mother nature that gives all animals things that they need to survive, if an animals has something then it is there for a reason, it is simply menat to be so people should stop thinking they are better than mother nature....
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
There are so many alternatives to declawing, like even simple nail clipping..funny, I don't even do that...it just doesn't bother me if my cats scratch up furniture or me for that fact...it definitely is against "mother nature" to do this
1 person likes this
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
29 Aug 07
My best friend has like 30 cats and I am well aware of the horrors of that procedure...but thank you for posting it for those people who don't and who may be considering it for their cats - I think its a horrible thing to do to them--- it would be like ripping off a humans fingernails (my husband had to have that done after he smashed his finger- not a pretty sight- and he was in pain for a week).
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I can only imagine the pain cats have after this "surgery"--yes it is the equivalent of cutting up to the joint of a human finger...and I too once had an accident where my large toenail came off because of it...I could hardly walk and it took a total of six months or so to heal...So like I said I can only imagine the pain cats have
2 people like this
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
29 Aug 07
You tell 'em girl! I wish they would ban this barbarism.that is why I have never declawed my cat.a neigbor and i got into a big fight over this cause she wanted to declaw her cat and I tried to tell her about but she went ahead and did it anyway and boy did that cat suffer!
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
31 Aug 07
because the lawmakers are a bunch of idiots that's why
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
The procedure is barbarous...and declawing should be banned..it is in European countries...so why not here?
3 people like this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
29 Aug 07
Your vivid description of this horrible procedure was quite enough for me, pyewacket. I don't think I have the stomach to actually view the photos. I think if more people knew exactly what was involved in this process, they would never have the procedure performed on their beloved cat. As you stated, there are alternatives to having this done. It seems that I have a whole new category of doctors to add to my list of those that I don't trust. Why can't people just leave things the way they were meant to be? If a person can't put up with a little inconvenience on behalf of their pet, they don't need one. You have done a service to all the little kitties by posting this discussion.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I'm with you on this...I'm not to keen on vets to begin with--first of all they charge a fortune for their services, then don't ask what one vet did to one of my cats...this was years and years ago..and a real long story...but that very first vet was cold and callous and didn't give a sh*t about animals and made me wonder why he was a vet in the first place..Most other vets I know though do NOT sanction declawing, and some are really animal lovers...
1 person likes this
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
24 Jan 08
You'd never do that to a child and kids tear through furntiture too - though usually not with claws. There are humane ways to deal with this and if you're not prepared for this possibility don't get a cat!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Jan 08
As I've mentioned I couldn't care less if my kitties scratch up on the furniture...fortunately my two "angles" don't so no real worries there. Now my trying to get rid of all the cat fur on the sofa that's another matter..LOL
2 people like this
@LauraElrod (418)
• United States
23 Jan 08
i didnt ever declaw my cats when i had some i watched them as kittens and didnt allow them to scratch anything i guess i was lucky and had 2 wonderful cats.but now that i know i would never do it anyways thanks for the info
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jan 08
I've had cats all my life and never once thought about declawing them
2 people like this
@novataylor (6570)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Pye, I agree with every single thing you've said here! As far as I'm concerned, screw the furniture, love and protect the cats! 'Nuff said!
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Hehe...that's right..screw the furniture..hey those scratch marks adds decor, don't you think?
2 people like this
@Wario_1 (965)
• Sweden
24 Jan 08
By Neptune's old bathwater, id never accept that on my cats. Id rather have my furniture destroyed than have my cats go througt that, its inhuman and disgusting. I agre with you, furniture can be replaced but you can never replace a cat.
It pisses me of that some vets misinform people of what declawing is, do they think animals are just things to toy with or people just idiots to sucker money off. Feels good that most vets are totaly against it, i also agre that anyone that reccomends this should not be a vet at all.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
24 Jan 08
Couldn't agree with you more, that if any vet recommends declawing they shouldn't be a vet...I'm so glad none of my vets never told me to do that with any of my kitties
1 person likes this
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
31 Aug 07
You are right on this one my friend. They asked me in Vet office if I want to declaw my cats. I told them that it is brutal and I would never ever do it. I was mad. They offer it to make money.
Nothing is more important than healthy life, for me not only human life but animals as well.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Sep 07
In all the years I've had cats, I've never, ever got them declawed..and thank goodness none of my vets ever suggested it to me
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
•
29 Aug 07
To my mind, the people who even think to have their cats' claws removed, should not be allowed to even own a cat, for they have no feelings for it whatsoever. Cats scratch furniture... yes, they scratch the bark of your shrubs in the garden... yes, and they protect themselves with their claws and teeth, which is the reason why they have them. So these people should think on what it would be like to have to defend themselves without hands if attacked. They might just think again then! This action is cruelty beyond belief and no... I don't condone it. If they really care about their cat, they will either spray, or rub orange peel oil onto all their wooden furniture until such time as the cat stops going anywhere near it. It doesn't take a lot of effort, or cost and the cat isn't mutilated for life, being made defenseless in the process.
I say NO to declawing!!! Brightest Blessings, my friend.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
That is such a good analogy there Darkwing...To quote you..."these people should think on what it would be like to have to defend themselves without hands if attacked. They might just think again then!" That's exactly in my mind what declawing is, cats without their "hands"
2 people like this
@starmashgate40sg177 (252)
• United States
31 Aug 07
Wow, I had no idea that the surgery was so complicated. I cant believe I was actually considering having this done to my kitten. Now I feel bad even thinking about it. Thank you for this informational post.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
9 Sep 07
I'm glad my info here changed your mind...That will be one less kitten who will suffer with such pain
2 people like this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
29 Aug 07
The nail cap thing is a great idea, I am going to check that one out for my cats. My cats are allowed outdoors sometimes thats why I gave never even considered declawing. Mt sister had hers declawed and it is nice for her, since she never let them out or anything like that, but I always thought it was rather cruel.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I agree Sacrificialclam, indoors or out, no cat should be declawed..as you say there is always that possibility of a cat running out accidentally. And you're right sumofalltears, it is cruel to the cat to declaw
3 people like this
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
30 Aug 07
I feel declawing our cats is inhumane. Would we like our fingernails ripped out? I think not. This kinda brought a tear to my eye. Cats have claws to protect them. Otherwise they would be defenseless. I feel this practice should be outlawed. When we bring a pet into our home we know that will be a problem here or there. Dogs love to chew things. Should we have their teeth ripped out? Cats scratch furniture, rugs, wood etc. Especially if they are an indoor cat. If I am correct if a cat doesn't scratch an object, then their nails can grow long and curl under and create problems for the cat. I think I read this somewhere. I know it can be annoying to have a cat scratch furniture and other objects. But our pets are like people. We all have our faults. If you can't deal with it, then don't get a pet. Better yet just get a fish. My 2 cats love to scratch one side of my recliner. At first I didn't like this , but then I decided if that was the only piece of furniture they were scratching so be it. I have tried scratching posts, but my girls don't really care for them. I may get one of those scratching mats though. Another thing people don't think about when they have their cats declawed. what happens when they can't keep the cat?
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
31 Aug 07
I really wish this practice of declawing was banned...the US is one of the few countries that still does this..in almost all other countries it's illegal..so why not us?
@SixPaulEleven (552)
• United States
23 Jan 08
I was in line at PetSmart the other day picking up some special kitty food for one of our special needs cats. This guy behind me had a new cat carrier (pet taxi or cat box if you prefer) and the woman behind him asked if he got a new baby. He just said no, it was his wife's cat and he needed it because kitty was being neutered and declawed next week. I started to groan and shook my head. The woman behind him did the same thing. The lady in front of me said, "You know that's like cutting off fingers, right?" He just said he didn't know and that the cat was mean. I spoke up and told him if you think the cat is mean now, wait until his claws are ripped out and he has no defenses. Then see how mean he gets. So I asked if he tried training or Soft Paws. He had never heard of Soft Paws. PetsMart has the generic version -- SoftClaws -- and i got out of line and spent the next 20 minutes lecturing him on how declawing actually was performed and how mutilative it was for a cat to go through. I likened it to a ballerina dancing on her toes after they've been amputated. He was very interested in the Soft Claws, and though he didn't buy them, he told me he was going to cancel the declaw surgery -- but still get him neutered.
I just hope to God he did cancel the declawing surgery. I felt so good when I left knowing I (hopefully) saved some kitty toes.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
23 Jan 08
Good for you giving that person a lecture...I tend to do that myself if I hear someone is going to declaw their cats. My rationale is that furniture can be replaced, but luckily my two kitties don't scratch at the furniture to begin with, and even if they did it just plain wouldn't upset me....yes I hope that guy did cancel out the declawing
2 people like this
@Wario_1 (965)
• Sweden
24 Jan 08
Very good thing you did there, hopefully you saved a little citties future. Its hard to know if its good/bad if you don't check it up. I understand that he didnt know what it means, but nowadays its not hard to find information. Hopefully he will get some info on anyhting before he decides to do something similar.
3 people like this
