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    Cats/Declawed

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    • Posts: 832 Member
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      I never said its not cruel by any means but its not as bad as people are trying to make it out to be either. ...And it is a lot less cruel then throwing the cat outside because of its scratching. Where it can be killed, beat up, ran over, or wonder off and get lost.
      Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall seeing anyone suggest throwing this (or any other cat) outside because it scratches.

      Anyway, the bottom line is that we each have our own opinions on this subject, and it's a subject that has the potential to get very heated. Hopefully, in the end, our varying opinions and statements will help the OP form her own opinions, give her some ideas on where to do some of her own research (so she's not just relying on he-said she-said), and make the decision that she is most comfortable with.
    • Posts: 8,059 Member
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      I never said its not cruel by any means but its not as bad as people are trying to make it out to be either. ...And it is a lot less cruel then throwing the cat outside because of its scratching. Where it can be killed, beat up, ran over, or wonder off and get lost.

      Just because chopping off the cat's toes is easier than training them, doesn't make it a good decision. If you can't take the time to properly train your pet, and resort to surgery, you shouldn't have a pet.
    • Posts: 514 Member
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      If you would rather remove your animal's toes than teach your children to be kind to them (so as not to get scratched), maybe you should rethink having pets.

      My cats stay inside and they have their nails and have never scratched anyone without provocation.

      Maybe you need to research the procedure... They do not remove the toe. or even to the first knuckle. its only the the claw and tendon.
    • Posts: 311 Member
      You CAN clicker train cats, I guess it just depends on the cat. One of mine stands up on his hind legs for a treat now and I only tested the clicker out on him for a few days in order to write a paper on it.

      A professor of mine trained her cat to stay off the kitchen counters without a clicker even.
    • Posts: 2,351 Member
      One of my friends had a declawed cat - to protect her pretty furniture.

      The cat got out of the house and drown in the fountain in the garden because she couldn't claw her way out.

      It's mutilation - plain and simple.

      Cat's are smart - they will stay away from a grabby toddler.
    • Posts: 514 Member
      [/quote]
      Anyway, the bottom line is that we each have our own opinions on this subject, and it's a subject that has the potential to get very heated. Hopefully, in the end, our varying opinions and statements will help the OP form her own opinions, give her some ideas on where to do some of her own research (so she's not just relying on he-said she-said), and make the decision that she is most comfortable with.
      [/quote]

      This I agree with.. I never told her to go and have it done, I simply was offering advice since I have hands on knowledge of the procedure, if she choose to have it done.
    • Posts: 444
      When I went to go adopt my kitten Tango, My friends and I walked into the adoption agency just to see what all was there. No cats really stuck out to me, none connected with me like I had wanted. I mean they were all adorable but there is just that one cat you connect with. I can describe the rooms the kittens and cats where in, they were free range where the cats could play and they where just glass rooms so you could see through all of them while in one room. I was in a room separate from Tango looking at a little kitten and he walked right over to the glass and started meowing. As I walked around the room to the door he followed and started pawing the glass where ever I was. My friends and I walked into the room and right when we did, Tango runs over and climbs all the way up my friends jeans and sits on her shoulder. She put him down and looked at some other kittens. I picked up Tango and knew I wanted him, He sat there in my arms closed his eyes and purred. I put him down and picked up another cat just to see what he would do, he climbed up on a table and jumped right into my arms! I had never had a cat do something like that before and I was standing a good 4 ft away from the table! He ALWAYS comes to his name and plays fetch, he also loves to cuddle and hates being away from people. I love my little Tango OH! He is an orange long haired kitten with bright green eyes :)
    • Posts: 8,137 Member
      If people need alter an animal to such a large extent in order to make that animal fit their lifestyle, then that is not the right pet for them.
    • Posts: 483 Member
      show previous quotes

      Here's a real problem with declawing. Suppose your sister's kitten gets out of the house? Cats use their claws for defense, without them they have no defense. Yes, they usually use their back claws for attacking, but they use their front claws for gripping. Without front claws, their back claws are useless. A declawed cat that gets outside has no defenses against any wild animal that may attack, and without front claws they are also hindered in their escape movements. Cats use their claws to help balance, they use them for a lot more than just "scratching."

      Oh, and Johnnysgirl, in other parts of the world outside of the USA, it can be spelled "defence."


      Very true. If a cat is going to be outdoors then they are at risk of not being able to defend themselves without claws. My sister's cat did get out once but luckily someone was home and he was retrieved very quickly before something happened. She is super paranoid of him getting outside again and they are more careful when opening the door... but still.. he's a quick little bugger!
    • Posts: 26 Member
      I worked for a vet for about 4 years...saw very few cases where the declaw had a negative effect on the cat (the cases I did see were due to noncompliance issues with the owner). There are some inhumane (or what I would consider inhumane) ways of declawing, but it depends on the procedure the Dr. uses. Ask your vet how they perofrm the procedure, or call around and do some research. If not...there is always nail trimming:) I do it to my cat who is (to put it kindly) not all that user friendly, and it works for me! It's actually alot easier to cut a cats nails than a dogs (I think), and I do it about once a month.
    • Posts: 5,310 Member
      I think declawing cats is incredibly cruel. I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure it's not even legal here in the UK.
    • Posts: 1,740 Member
      Aww, I know I have seen it done. I worked in a vets office for a while as a kennel tech and have helped out but I am also a new cat owner and have never had to make this choice before so I just really needed some opinions. I was pretty much going to pay the 500 anyway but I just didn't know about the 2 year old. Thank you!

      What funny things do your cats do? Whats the story of how you got them?

      have 4 kids, all have got to teenage or adulthood with no scars...if a kid pulls a cats tail the cat will scratch and rightly so, tough luck on the kid but once is all it should take. By declawing you are mutilating the cat, removing his means of escape (need claws for climbing fences trees etc) you are removing his best form of defence...its cruel, if you can't risk the cat clawing the furniture then simply don't have a cat.

      Oh and for the couple that have never heard of it before its because it is ILLEGAL in the UK, comes under animal cruelty
    • Posts: 444
      Why do I feel like such a horrible person just asking this question??
    • Posts: 49,260 Member
      This is why I don't own a cat.
    • Posts: 483 Member
      Why do I feel like such a horrible person just asking this question??


      Asking a question because you want to be informed does not make you a horrible person.
    • Posts: 171 Member
      We have a cat and in the beginning he would scratch without even realising. My boyfriend and me had many scratches and scars to prove it.

      We got him a scratch post in the beginning which he used quite quickly. His claws are now not as sharp. He's only 5 months old, and his scratching has pretty much come to a halt with training, toys and his scratch post.

      We thought it would take him a while to get used to the post, but he learned to use it within days of us having him (we got him at 5 weeks old so not bad at all).

      With regular training, theres no need to declaw him/her at all.
    • Posts: 444
      Haha, all the things people were saying was making me feel bad. :(
    • Posts: 1,209 Member
      I've had cats all my life since I was a little girl, outdoors and indoors, declawed and not, depending on the circumstances. I would say not to do it if at all possible. I'll never forget my cat Jenny trying to jump onto the window ledge of my bedroom shortly after her surgery (back when I was a newlywed). She missed and slid down the wall, and when she did, blood streaked everywhere. I was horrified, then heartbroken. :cry: She suffered so. To be fair, I've had another who recovered quickly with no problems, but still.

      Also, cats most certainly can be trained. I have 2 now that do NOT get on the kitchen counter or table, and will come with a clicker. Years ago I had 3 outdoor cats that would come when whistled for. They thought they were dogs :laugh:

      Do what you must. You asked for opinions, this is mine.
    • Posts: 483 Member
      Haha, all the things people were saying was making me feel bad. :(



      no need to feel bad :). It is a sensitive topic for many people but at least by reading opinions and doing your own research you can make an informed decision.
    • Posts: 115
      Bump
    • Posts: 115
      I mean, not to be insensitive, but a cat scratch wouldn't kill the kid. That's life. And a clawless catt? That's not his life.

      Not to be insensitive? You obviously never have had a child because if you did you wouldn't do anything/put your child anywhere where your child could face harm. I'm not saying you can't train the cat to be well behaved with a two year old but a two year old also doesn't have a sense between right and wrong and a cat scratch could potentially leave that child with serious damage if not careful. What about a child who had his face clawed and has scars forever? That's not that baby's life either.
    • Posts: 2,019 Member
      I'm glad that my two year old has learned to be polite with our cats.
    • Posts: 602 Member
      Bump

      Entertaining that you edited your own inflammatory post. Kudos.
    • Posts: 1,759 Member
      Okay, I really don't know how I feel about my little Tango getting declawed but I will be moving into an apartment with my cousin pretty soon who has a 2 year old and also the deposit for a cat with claws is 500 and one without claws is 300. :( I don't want to hurt him but there is alot at risk (he is 8-12 months)
      How close are you to your cousin? Is this your cousin's only child? (parents often have different ideas of protection/risk with the first/only kid). How did the conversation about the cat go before you decided to move in together?

      Unless the kid has some immune system issues or has a severe allergy, I don't know that getting scratched by a cat would be all that terrible. Not fun surely. But not life-threatening. You can't eliminate risk from kids' lives. Besides, as someone already posted, back claws and teeth pose as much of a risk to a 2-year-old than front claws.

      What does your cousin say about teaching the kid to respect the cat? Is declawing something your cousing suggested? Or are you bringing this up because of *your* concerns about the kid? How does you cousin feel about your cat?

      I assume that since you are asking for advice here you have not yet committed to getting the cat declawed. Since none of us are going to be living with you, maybe talking more with your cousin would help.
    • Posts: 1,447 Member
      Oh, and Johnnysgirl, in other parts of the world outside of the USA, it can be spelled "defence."
      lol I posted before checking out. I thought i deleted it quickly enough that no one saw it...dang it.
      You-didn-t-see-anything-penguins-of-madagascar-22156435-840-593.jpg
    • Posts: 1,759 Member
      show previous quotes

      Not to be insensitive? You obviously never have had a child because if you did you wouldn't do anything/put your child anywhere where your child could face harm. I'm not saying you can't train the cat to be well behaved with a two year old but a two year old also doesn't have a sense between right and wrong and a cat scratch could potentially leave that child with serious damage if not careful. What about a child who had his face clawed and has scars forever? That's not that baby's life either.
      Help me follow your logic. Are you saying that someone who suggested a cat scratch wouldn't kill a child obviously never had kids? I don't follow.

      I said pretty much the same thing in a previous response and am doing a pretty good job of raising two girls with my wife. Do you mean "obviously never *birthed* a child"? I could call my wife and ask her, but I think she would agree with me about the cat.

      I do know that people have had some terrible things happen to them (or kids they knew) done by cats. There have been terrible things done by dogs, too. And cars. And bad people. And bad teachers. And mean gym coaches. And hard asphalt. And baseballs lost in the sun. And food that's been choked on. And swimming pools. And trees with high branches. And...
    • Posts: 539 Member
      Haha, all the things people were saying was making me feel bad. :(

      don't feel bad... you are not a horrible person... and at least you are asking to get informed before you just went out and did it! I personally could never do it....but then again I also can't bear to kill bugs in my house as much as I hate them lol I take them outside when I can... however, I have a friend who always gets hers declawed, and has not had any problems with her cats healing and her cats seem fine without them. I just think it is inhumane, but don't judge people who get it done. Hope these answers helped you make your decision...
    • Posts: 918 Member
      show previous quotes

      Not to be insensitive? You obviously never have had a child because if you did you wouldn't do anything/put your child anywhere where your child could face harm. I'm not saying you can't train the cat to be well behaved with a two year old but a two year old also doesn't have a sense between right and wrong and a cat scratch could potentially leave that child with serious damage if not careful. What about a child who had his face clawed and has scars forever? That's not that baby's life either.

      I'm assuming you wrap your entire house in bubblewrap and don't let your child go outdoors either? You know, keep them away from anywhere your child could face harm?
    • Posts: 40
      Won't it cost $200 or more to get your cat declawed anyway? So really, no savings and one very hurt and upset kitty.
    • Posts: 40
      I do know that people have had some terrible things happen to them (or kids they knew) done by cats. There have been terrible things done by dogs, too. And cars. And bad people. And bad teachers. And mean gym coaches. And hard asphalt. And baseballs lost in the sun. And food that's been choked on. And swimming pools. And trees with high branches. And...

      Hahahahaaaaa! Nice :)
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