60% of Americans OK with declawing - agree?

We did have to declaw our cat's front paws growing up for medical reasons. He would not stop ripping out his claws on the banisters (scratching posts and the like didn't distract him from doing this). Since his paws were at severe risk of infection, declawing was a rational procedure. His personality didn't change afterwards: his favorite pastime afterwards was rabbit kicking dogs into submission

 

I voted favor just because I don't particular disagree with it. I support neutering so I don't see how I can argue against declawing. Ours isn't declawed, though it would be better in winter if she were. (Plastic over a window doesn't insulate as well once there are claw marks in it.)

Frankly, given a choice I wouldn't have a cat. I like them, but I wouldn't have one if my wife didn't insist. Conceptually, I hate pets.

 

I really struggle with this issue. Our animals are getting older, 9 and 11. So about two years ago we adopted a kitten. We rescued her from an irresponsible family that had two indoor cats, neither of which were neutered/spayed. She was one of six. Picked her up on a sunday and took her to the vet on tuesday for fiv/flv testing and to start her shots. We knew that we would eventually declaw her, at the same time she was spayed. I felt so bad, I cried when I dropped her off. We did it at 7 months.

We did not have any complications. Today, she is very happy and has a great home. Still a very difficult decision.

For me, if it means the cat will go to a responsible owner, who will care for and love the animal in a forever home, then I am ok with it.

A laser was used on one of our cats. Didn't slow him down a bit. Couldn't keep him from jumping. Our vet uses a laser, and keeps them for two days after to watch for any complications.

 

It's not even an option in our home. Since I met my wife, I have become a Cat Person, and over the course of time, there have been 10 cats in the house, not all at once. None have really been bad scratchers, we just have to provide a substitute!
It helps that the wife is a "Cat Whisperer"

 

Did you know the cat when it was with the previous owner before it was declawed? Maybe the cat has always had a messed up personality. Of course, since cats are cats, it's quite impossible for them to have a PERSONality.

 

I know the cat better than you do.

 

Maybe the word 'person'-ality is an anthropomorphism, but cats and dogs definitely have one. Most animals have thoughts, emotions, and memories that make them unique individuals, just like human animals.

 

Has anyone asked the cats?

 

I'm not saying you don't. I merely asked a question. no big deal.

 

cant believe 9 people where in favor for this.

 

Declawing a cat essentially leaves it defenseless, can't even climb a tree to get away, that is cruel IMHO.

BTW, I dock my tail every time I sit in my EZ chair to watch TV!

 

Simple question with a little humor thrown in, rudely answered. :glare:

 

I saw humour in both posts.

 

I wonder how much that 60% in favor would drop if vets acted responsibly and educated people of what the procedure entails and what their options were.

I am not in favor of declawing. Any one that has a cat will know they are worth any scratched up piece of furniture. This, coming from a dog convert.

 

It took our cats all of a day to figure out that the scratching posts are theirs, the furniture is ours. No de-clawing required. Bonus: they can help us keep the unruly foster dog from stepping out of line. (Six month old pitbull. The cats get respect.)

 

My neighbour's cat tried that. Once. Normally Zuli's the sweetest, smartest dog I know, but she's got a Jekyll and Hyde personality. The barking, snarling fury came within inches of clearing the six foot fence. I haven't seen the cat in the yard since, not even sitting on the fence like he used to.

 

Declawing is cruel. We have 3 female cats, none declawed but all are spayed by law.
The secret is to have the cat scratchers and posts all over the house especially near furniture you don't want scratched and clip their nails often.

 

I should have been clear. The foster dog is our foster dog, living in the house with the cats. She has had a couple of good bonks on the nose and is slowly learning to leave them alone. It's good for the dog because her adoptability goes up if she can cope with small furries. It's good for the cats because they have all their natural defenses and don't have to get stressed-out. (They coexist well with dogs in general.)

 

With 2 adopted greyhounds in the house, we can't have a cat. But even so, I would never declaw one.