do you think that declawing a cat is right?

look at your fingers, now immagine that they've cut off your finger at the last joint - that's what declawing does to the cat

you can train a cat to not scratch

The ONLY cat I've ever declawed sent the roomie and myself to the hospital at different times and the former roomie was on blood thinners.

No I feel it is not right to declaw a cat. If they were ever to get lose outside they would have no way to defend themselfs. I did get my cat fixed but only because where I live I had too. I feel that is inhumane as well. They are animals and to me they have every right to be themselfs if they choose to be. I think that sometimes it might be a need but they are animals and they need there rights too. This is how I feel about it, nice discussion, happy mylotting to you.

The only time that i would do this is if the only way I could keep the cat was to do this to it. It's a terrible operation, like getting all your finger nails removed. It leaves their paws deformed. And they cannot defend themselves

Absolutely not. ElicBxn said it rather nicely.

Removing a cat's claws is cruel and pointless. If your furniture is more important to you than your pet, something's wrong - you shouldn't have a pet. If the kids get clawed, the chances are they need to be taught not to tease the animal. Cats can be taught not to scratch furniture by giving them an appropriate scratching post: it's important, as scratching not only tends their claws but also lets them mark their territory and make it home.

I think if you just keep there nails trimmed you are fine theres no reason really to declaw cats. People say that cats climb and rip curtains down and scratch up furniture. I have had 3 cats and never declawed them. I usualy cut there nails with regular nail cutters. My friend has 6 cats and she never declawed them in away I think it is cruel.

I'm going to give you a perspective coming from the other side and why I chose to declaw my cat. With Brian it was a matter of what was more beneficial for him. He would go into panic mode the minute you touched his paws to cut the nails. At that time the newfangled tool wasn't out yet. Taking him to the vet or groomer to have his claws clipped was even worse. He only tolerates the immediate family and even hisses at my daughter who lives away from him. He would have to be sedated to clip them and I think this is far worse in the long run.
His toes are not deformed nor do I put him in situations where he needs to protect himself. He still acts as though nothing is missing and happily spends time sharpening his phantom claws.

Cats come to us a gift. They are our pets. Certainly they may claw things, it is their nature. But we can put plastic on furniture or keep them out of certain room. And, for god's sake get them a scratch board. I think it is inhumane to declaw a cat. You take its defenses away. They have little mits that can be put on them now too. Karma will get you if you declaw your cat!!!!

I don't think declawing a cat is a good thing. It would be like pulling your fingernails out - ouch!! A cat's claw is part of his anatomy. How would you like part of your anatomy taken off? I have a cat that spends time inside and outside and she has a scratching post in the house that she uses. I just would never consider declawing her. Best wishes!

In some cases YES. I was forced to declaw my cat when I first got her, because she would be very vicious at play and sink her nails into my legs right down to the bone. I did not have her put down for this behavior, but had to declaw her and now fifteen years later she is none for the worse. I usually am against declawing, clipping dogs ears and tails, etc. but when your cat is very naughtly and play fights too rough, sometimes it is necessary, better than euhanasia.

Hello jhl,
I rescued a cat that has been declawed he is 8 years old. His poor little paws shake
a lot sometimes like they bother him a lot. I think he has some nerve damage from that.
He is the sweetest boy I have ever had in my life. I got really lucky when we found our little Pepper.