Why is declawing your pets enough to get them taken away.

[NothingIsImpossible]

So we have had cats our whole life. And we always declaw them, well the front paws. Recently we got kittens and the paperwork says if we declaw them and they find out, they can take them away. And now vets are being told if they declaw the cat, they have to report you.

Why is this? I realize many get cats, declaw them then let them go outdoors, but just because many do that doesn't mean we all do that. Our cats never go outdoors and we don't let them. So its no worry having no claws on the front.

Personally I don't want a cat scratching up everything I own. And I feel its my right to do what I want with them. If my vet turned me in I'd sue the vet and the place I got the kittens from. You got your money, I got my cat. What I do is my business.

 

[Hawthorne]

Probably because the procedure of declawing involves cutting off the end joints (that has the claw) of a cat's paw. It's the same idea as cutting off the ends of a person's fingers so their fingernails won't need to be trimmed. Some vets refuse to declaw cats because it is extremely painful to the cat.


If you don't want your cat scratching, trim the cats claws with a fingernail clipper or purchase the little claw cap things which will dull their claws.

 

[Te're'sa]

I'm not a cat person, but a facebook friend of mine is, and the info I have is based on what she posts. According to her sources (in meme form, admittedly) declawing works by cutting off the first joint of the kitty toes. Animal rights people have decided it's inhumane because it causes the cats pain throughout their lives, like Chinese foot binding used to do to Chinese women. I hadn't heard before that the cats going outside somehow makes it worse.

At any rate, it sounds like it's illegal now to do it where you live. If your furniture is more important than your cats, in light of the new law, it's clear which one needs to go.

(my dog chews anything he can find, especially shoes, like a bad stereotype. I give him rawhide bones to chew instead and hide everything else in a closet. You get used to going out of your way for a creature you love.)

 

[SkyWriting]

I'm not a cat person, but a facebook friend of mine is, and the info I have is based on what she posts. According to her sources (in meme form, admittedly) declawing works by cutting off the first joint of the kitty toes. Animal rights people have decided it's inhumane because it causes the cats pain throughout their lives, like Chinese foot binding used to do to Chinese women. I hadn't heard before that the cats going outside somehow makes it worse.

At any rate, it sounds like it's illegal now to do it where you live. If your furniture is more important than your cats, in light of the new law, it's clear which one needs to go.

(my dog chews anything he can find, especially shoes, like a bad stereotype. I give him rawhide bones to chew instead and hide everything else in a closet. You get used to going out of your way for a creature you love.)

Cats are the single most invasive of species.
Keep them indoors.
I would have no problem adding clawing posts
to all the furniture corners. I covered all edges
with pipe insulation for toddler protection.

 

[LoAmmi]

So we have had cats our whole life. And we always declaw them, well the front paws. Recently we got kittens and the paperwork says if we declaw them and they find out, they can take them away. And now vets are being told if they declaw the cat, they have to report you.

Why is this? I realize many get cats, declaw them then let them go outdoors, but just because many do that doesn't mean we all do that. Our cats never go outdoors and we don't let them. So its no worry having no claws on the front.

Personally I don't want a cat scratching up everything I own. And I feel its my right to do what I want with them. If my vet turned me in I'd sue the vet and the place I got the kittens from. You got your money, I got my cat. What I do is my business.

This is answered above but think of it this way. Look at your hands. Then think about cutting off the parts of your hands that contain the finger nails. That is what you are doing to the cat. On purpose.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

They are nails. I don't see the problem.
They are also cats and not human beings.
Granted, we should not do things so as to seek to harm animals, but declawing them should not be that big of an issue if the owner writes an agreement to keep the pet inside. If the owner has pet doors in a bad cat neighborhood and or the owner throws the cat into a wrestling cage to fight other cats, that's different. But even if the cat was outdoors, that should not be proof that an owner is in the wrong for placing their cat in a defensless situation. For cats do like to sneak out the door and explore.

Maybe the cat can wear a new defense mechanism that it can be placed on it's back that deploys a super strong jet stream of water or ultrasonic sound against other attacking cats or dogs when it gets afraid. Perhaps you can control the action of what method of attack you would prefer with an app on your phone before a catastrophe could happen. Certainly sounds better than having cat claws rip into your arm every morning or to have destroyed furniture and drapes.


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[High Fidelity]

They are nails. I don't see the problem.
They are also cats and not human beings.
Granted, we should not do things so as to seek to harm animals, but declawing them should not be that big of an issue if the owner writes an agreement to keep the pet inside. If the owner has pet doors in a bad cat neighborhood and or the owner throws the cat into a wrestling cage to fight other cats, that's different. But even if the cat was outdoors, that should not be proof that an owner is in the wrong for placing their cat in a defensless situation. Maybe the cat can wear a new defense mechanism that it can wear on it's back that deploys a super strong jet stream of water or ultrasonic sound against other attacking cats or dogs when it was afraid. Perhaps you can control the action of what method of attack you would prefer with an app on your phone before a catastrophe could happen.


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The problem is that it isn't just the nail part that's removed. As someone else correctly mentioned, you're basically taking the end of the finger off to stop the nail growing.

If a person can't handle their cat clawing things then they shouldn't own a cat, in my opinion.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The problem is that it isn't just the nail part that's removed. As someone else correctly mentioned, you're basically taking the end of the finger off to stop the nail growing.

If a person can't handle their cat clawing things then they shouldn't own a cat, in my opinion.

But the paw is still there. I do not see it as a finger. Do they pick up things with these so called fingers you are talking about? What is lost if the cat is declawed and kept inside? Is the cat incapable of walking or eating? Does the cat look disfigured or retarded in some way? I am sorry, you are uplifting the cat to a status of a human or better. I just don't see that.


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[High Fidelity]

But the paw is still there. I do not see it as a finger. Do they pick up things with these so called fingers you are talking about? What is lost if the cat is declawed and kept inside? Is the cat incapable of walking or eating? Does the cat look disfigured or retarded in some way? I am sorry, you are uplifting the cat to a status of a human or better. I just don't see that.


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I'm not uplifting it to the status of human. I don't even like cats. I'm just saying it's not acceptable to cause incredible pain to an animal because it conveniences us whilst keeping it captive.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Well thankfully we found a vet who will do it without informing anyone. I don't think its a law just yet, more of a "If your a vet you should do this!". I have seen the images (well illustrations) of what it removes. And it is a joint/bone as people say. But that doesn't really persuade me not to do it. And comparing it to human hands is like comparing a sharks teeth to a humans.

I'm actually an animal lover. I am part of a few groups to protect animals (like save the dolphins, big cats...etc). I do get flack from my one friend who is part of the same groups. I do know that when you but a tarantula you can get it defanged, which I'm not sure how I feel about it since they actually need their fangs. Where as a cat doesn't need their claws up front if they are indoors.

I do know, as some said here, what would happen if they got out. Well not to worried about it really. Never had a cat escape. Once they see how much they are loved, fed...etc they seem to lose their feeling to want to go out. Some times people can go to far when it comes to "What if". I mean what if I get in a car accident while driving? Maybe I should just stay home and never go out.

Though to be fair if one cat did get out and got hurt because they didn't have their claws, of course I would feel bad. But its why you get them used to being inside. And why you "baby proof" everything so they can't escape. Our cats we had before we would use a gentle spray on their back ends if they for example would scratch a couch or sit on a kitchen counter. They learned after about a year of this where they weren't allowed to go/not allowed to do.

As for the pain declawing induces. I'd say its speculation. Its not like we know if it hurts forever once its done. As for during the surgery/recovery, well of course there will be pain. Just like surgery on humans. Thats why they are sedated.

 

[SeventyOne]

Seems funny this is an issue for them when shelters and vets routinely hack off the male dog berries for lesser reasons.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I'm not uplifting it to the status of human. I don't even like cats. I'm just saying it's not acceptable to cause incredible pain to an animal because it conveniences us whilst keeping it captive.

I grew up with cats, so I know about them. Some pet owners are allergic to the bacteria on the claws. Also, there are pain medications for cats that you can get them if you think they will be in pain.

The truth is, declawing is a common surgical procedure done under anesthesia and if done correctly, there will not be any lasting effects that harm the animal.

Check out this article here:
Declawing is not cruel

As for keeping an animal captive within a home:
Do you think it is wrong for pet owners to keep animals indoors?
Many indoor cats lead happy and long lives inside homes.
Actually, they say if you want to keep your cat, keep him indoors.
For they can get into cat fights, or get ran over by cars, or get eaten by a dog or they can get really sick and die by eating rotten trash. I actually say it is more cruel to let your cat go wild and free than to keep him indoors (Because you decrease their chances at having life by putting them in more dangerous situations). But to each their own.


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[Toro]

I for one am all for declawing (as long as the cat is young) and I very much LOVE cats.

I find it funny how the "moral" majority have a problem with declawing....... but have ZERO issue with owners that let their cat "roam free" where the life expectancy of such a cat decreases what with feline aids etc. in stray cats.

Im not saying that you SHOULD declaw your cat...... but to make it illegal isn't the answer either.

Life is full of pain, its unavoidable. If a cat gets a great home and it costs the tips of its fingers before it even knows life at all.........

I dont know about you but I worship a God that said cut off the skin of a VERY sensitive area while I was just a child. Did it hurt? Im sure like crazy...... do I remember it? No.

I believe it should be up to the owner whether they choose to have a clawless cat or not..... its better a pet owner take care of their cat than get sick of it because it has claws and adds to the stray cat population.

That being said, when I get another cat I will look to have it declawed in the most humane way possible....(So far it seems laser is the most "humane" more expensive but supposedly less painful so worth every penny)... I don't gain ANY joy in knowing it hurts the kitten but the pain passes and the cat is none the wiser (in my experience)

My cat was declawed and she didn't even know she was without claws (always trying to "sharpen" her non existent claws on the furniture.)

She had no claws and she lived a long and happy life. THAT is the important thing....... not this assumed "its immoral" stance that the law wants to assume.

I say instead of demonizing the people that want clawless cats and making it illegal....... come up with a way to take just the claw and the cat have no pain.

 

[Tallguy88]

My cat is declawed. It's what we've always done. She doesn't seem to notice and still likes to "scratch" things with her front paws the same way intact cats do.

 

[JeriB]

My cat is declawed. It's what we've always done. She doesn't seem to notice and still likes to "scratch" things with her front paws the same way intact cats do.

I really doubt she doesn't "notice."

 

[Tallguy88]

I really doubt she doesn't "notice."

You could ask her, but she hasn't quite mastered English yet. She certainly doesn't act like she notices.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I guess I'd poss a question for those against declawing. If you owned a bear in your home (I know thats unrealistic) would you have it declawed? Granted my cat won't eat me... well unless I own a tiger lol.

Personally if they do want to make a law, they should make one that makes it against the law to have an outdoor cat. Its like why buy a pet that you just leave outdoors? Its like those who have a baby just because they "look cute".

Seems funny this is an issue for them when shelters and vets routinely hack off the male dog berries for lesser reasons.

Very good point. Spaying/neutering is so common. Also with cats and dogs there are many other practices that I do see as terrible. Like cutting off tales, trimming ears...etc all for looks purposes.

That sounds inhumane and for our own saisfaction.

I grew up with cats, so I know about them. Some pet owners are allergic to the bacteria on the claws. Also, there are pain medications for cats that you can get them if you think they will be in pain.

The truth is, declawing is a common surgical procedure done under anesthesia and if done correctly, there will not be any lasting effects that harm the animal.

Yeah that is important too. Those who are bad at declawing shouldn't have ea license. Which is why we like our vet. Hes very good at what he does.

I really doubt she doesn't "notice."

But how would we know if they know? Its just a cat. Its not like they are "Man, I remember when I had claws, I miss those!". Unless they are outdoors, then they would probably remember they used to have a way to defend themselves.

 

[JeriB]

So we have had cats our whole life. And we always declaw them, well the front paws. Recently we got kittens and the paperwork says if we declaw them and they find out, they can take them away. And now vets are being told if they declaw the cat, they have to report you.

Why is this? I realize many get cats, declaw them then let them go outdoors, but just because many do that doesn't mean we all do that. Our cats never go outdoors and we don't let them. So its no worry having no claws on the front.

Personally I don't want a cat scratching up everything I own. And I feel its my right to do what I want with them. If my vet turned me in I'd sue the vet and the place I got the kittens from. You got your money, I got my cat. What I do is my business.

Why would you remove a cat's defense system?
If you don't mistreat it then it won't use those claws on you.
And if furniture matters more to you than a living cat - perhaps you should rethink having a cat? And I fail to see why you have a "right" do do what you please to any living creature - that means you could, if you so wished, douse it with gas and set it alight. (All that's different here is the degree of abuse.)

God gave cat's claws for a reason and as you know He works in His own mysterious ways - perhaps you should respect that?

 

[JeriB]

You could ask her, but she hasn't quite mastered English yet. She certainly doesn't act like she notices.

Yes... you presume because a cat doesn't say otherwise - she agrees with you.
Rather ... narcissistic don't you think?

 

[Toro]

Why would you remove a cat's defense system?
If you don't mistreat it then it won't use those claws on you.
And if furniture matters more to you than a living cat - perhaps you should rethink having a cat? And I fail to see why you have a "right" do do what you please to any living creature - that means you could, if you so wished, douse it with gas and set it alight. (All that's different here is the degree of abuse.)

God gave cat's claws for a reason and as you know He works in His own mysterious ways - perhaps you should respect that?

He also put skin in "that area" for a reason but He has no problem with actually instructing to cut it off by circumcision.

Mysterious ways indeed.