Speaking of Cats..Declawing Issue..

[Infinitum]

Having seen how our cats use their paws I feel taking away their claws is a lot like cutting off someone's fingers. I can just imagine how helpless they must feel without them.

 

[FranklinMichaelV.3]

I don't know..I had a cat at 5 years old (and he was not a "sick" or weak cat) Moon....that was prey to a coyote.I will never know if he could have escaped them (coyotes cant climb) if he had had his front claws.I certainly didn't do him any favors.

Guilt never ceases.

:sad4:

 

[Valjean]

Also, I'm pro-declawing. I don't see how it's any worse than spaying or neutering

Declawing handicaps a cat. It interferes with hunting, climbing and manipulation of things.
Spaying/neutering benefits the individual cat. It reduces such dangerous practices as roaming, fighting, &c.

 

[Father Heathen]

Declawing handicaps a cat. It interferes with hunting, climbing and manipulation of things.

An owner should take care that a declawed cat (i.e. an 'indoor' cat) doesn't find itself in those positions.

 

[FranklinMichaelV.3]

An owner should take care that a declawed cat (i.e. an 'indoor' cat) doesn't find itself in those positions.

That's true, if you're going to declaw a cat you should take that responsibility. My Aunt and Uncle who are getting on in years, had their cat declawed. They never let her go outside without them.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

What was the first thing?

Also, I'm pro-declawing. I don't see how it's any worse than spaying or neutering.



I wouldn't confuse excessive and arbitrary laws as being "advanced".

How about we snip the tips of your fingers off? It's not really entirely the same, since humans do not have claws as a natural first line of defense, but it is about the closest comparable thing there is. Cats are supposed to claw, scratch, climb, and they are born to hunt. If you take away their claws you are putting them into a position that they simply are not supposed to be in. They become handicapped and practically defenseless, they are unable to satisfy their natural inclinations, and it is only the selfish human that benefits from not having the carpet clawed, compared to the cat who suffers the loss of a very important part of their anatomy (perhaps a total penectomy and orchidectomy would be more comparable?).

A scratching post is a good, natural way to wear down claws. The issue is getting the little turds to use one rather than your furniture.

If you don't want to take that chance, then don't get a cat. It's really no different than a kid. If you absolutely cannot stand the thought of your stuff being ruined, then don't have them. If you wouldn't be able to handle it if something got chewed, then don't get a dog. Pet ownership is called a responsibility for a reason.

An owner should take care that a declawed cat (i.e. an 'indoor' cat) doesn't find itself in those positions.

That is much easier said than done. Cats are very sneaky, very cleaver, and often times very persistent. Again, much like a child, all it takes is having your eyes turned away for a second.

 

[DallasApple]

Declawing handicaps a cat. It interferes with hunting, climbing and manipulation of things.
Spaying/neutering benefits the individual cat. It reduces such dangerous practices as roaming, fighting, &c.

Its not only that.They can have painful complications years later.Regrowth of claws under the skin..arthritis..problems with their tendons..which can lead to behavioral issues such eliminating outside the litter box..(because it irritates their paws further) ..and biting because their primary defense has been taken.Few studies have even been done considering this procedure is being performed on %25 of house cats in the U.S.But one study the only one involving a five year follow up period found that 33% of the cats in the study group developed serious behavior problems after being declawed.Another study found that 'innapropriate elimination " was twice as likely in declawed cats as those that hadn't had the surgery.Not to mention they can be in excruciating pain.

The problem is the vets (many of them) don't want anyone to know the truth.As to risks.They make a LOT of money declawing.Its not in their best interest to disclose..

There are no health benefits unlike having a cat spade .Like the ones you mentioned but also it eliminates the risk of cancer in those organs.Also issues like spraying /marking..which males and female cats will do.Not to mention the discomfort for the animal AND you having to keep them locked up inside when they are YOWLING to get out when they are in heat>My female cat would urinate outside the box and she also bled everywhere like her 'period"..She was miserable.I thought she was sick I took her to the vet and he laughed at me and said no..she is in heat..IOW extremely horny.

Not to mention preventing MORE unwanted cats.That end up only being born to be euthenized.Because hello..they have been known to find a way to escape despite your best efforts.

Im going to try to find the Dallas Observer article on the net that I read all this in (about the complications)...I only have it in print.Its a very long and in depth article.How the cause got started ...an exotic animal vet who was encountering big cats (show biz cats mostly I think) that were in excruciating pain and disabled from being declawed and she developed a reconstructive surgery to help relive their suffering and she made a documentary explaining the surgery and had 8 examples I think of before and afters..that got the attention of authorities and eventually it led to the banning of declawing virtually all exotic animals in the states...

But we are still allowing it to go on with our house pets?????????????

 

[DallasApple]

If you don't want to take that chance, then don't get a cat. It's really no different than a kid. If you absolutely cannot stand the thought of your stuff being ruined, then don't have them.

Not to mention having them declawed runs he risk your stuff will be ruined anyway because after your stuff is saved from being scratched up... even years later they can start ******* and ******** all over your house..because their paws hurt from complications developing.Not to mention not every cat has a clawing issue.My cat Furry doesn't claw anything in the house but scratching posts and the cat towers I provide.

 

[DallasApple]

Every time we come back home, our cat gets happy and claws it. But it's a minor issue, it's better that he's happy and healthy. It's illegal in the UK to declaw, animal laws are more strict and advanced here, compared to Canada (where I'm from) or US.

Yes my two Bengals ocassionally will do a little dig in the carpet.But our carpets are ruined anyway from people and their dirty shoes and feet..and spills ..and animals also vomit sometimes..on top of animals that have ****** on them.Carpets aren't like tile or hardwood or marble..they aren't meant to last long.

Most the damage my cats have done with claws honestly? Is playing in the house "running' like across the couch..One picked out a cheap vinyle office chair and will sit on the back of it and claw...AND numerous clothing items.Kato...pick him up to try and bring him in if we have to open the garage door?(no we don't keep him out there he wants to go out there as part of his territory ) just yesterday trying to get out of my arms "bunny kicking' (back legs) off of me he tore holes in my shirt and well as cutting me..My husband has several "ruined "shirts..a small price to pay it you ask me..for them to not be mutilated...and suffer way worse distress and consequences..

Oh and when they were kittens..One of them gave me "cat scratch fever" ..which is not "pleasant" but usually harmless.I got over it with out the need for medical intervention.

 

[DallasApple]

Here is the article I read.Its long but if you are a cat lover ..not too long..when you have time.

A Cat Fight Over Declawing - Page 1 - News - Dallas - Dallas Observer

 

[DallasApple]

Exert..

Most pet-friendly nations already outlaw onychectomy. The United Kingdom's Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons deems the procedure "not acceptable" under most circumstances, and laws in most European countries explicitly prohibit it. In Israel, declawing a cat can result in a fine of 75,000 shekels — more than $20,000. Authorities in Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Australia also frown on the practice.

Yet in the United States, declawing is still a common — and lucrative — part of the veterinary business. A surgery that's now considered too barbaric for wild animals is widely marketed through coupons and special spay-neuter "package deals" to cat lovers of all stripes. Studies indicate that 22 million cats, about one-fourth of the country's total domesticated feline population, have been declawed. On average, vets charge between $400 and $800 for the surgery, which takes less than 10 minutes per paw and can be done with a scalpel, laser or guillotine-type trimmer.

 

[DreadFish]

Hmm, this might explain one of our cat's weird behavior. We got him from someone else and they had already declawed his front paws. At least once every other day, he refuses to go in the litterbox and also randomly gets aggressive towards our other cat (whose a female). Not only that, he get's in a weird mood where he'll suddenly get really aggressive towards me or someone else in the house. It sometimes happens when he just gets too into playing but, other times, he just randomly gets in this mood; it's really defensive. He'll act all weird, start meowing strangely and act like he's being friendly to me, rub up against me, and then just suddenly and viciously attack my arm or leg and bite it really hard and kick it. I end up having to grab him by the head and guide him out of the room until he cools down. He'll then stand outside of my room and meow unpleasantly for a little while. He's fine most of the time, but does need more attention than some cats; he's also territorial about my room. If anyone besides me (including the other cat) comes into my room, he'll get up and meow and keep an eye on them.

So, he seems to have emotional problems, sounds like it could be from declawing

 

[DallasApple]

So, he seems to have emotional problems, sounds like it could be from declawing

Im sorry to hear that it sounds frustrating.It "could" be from declawing.Or even some of the behavior.

I would highly recommend to you though that you have him checked at the vet and rule out a UTI.He could have a bladder infection or some problem with his urinary tract.Especially male cats can develop those from lack of hydration from eating dry food.Its one to the #1 reasons cats will urinate outside the box.At least that is something you could rule out..those are painful too.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Exert..

Most pet-friendly nations already outlaw onychectomy. The United Kingdom's Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons deems the procedure "not acceptable" under most circumstances, and laws in most European countries explicitly prohibit it. In Israel, declawing a cat can result in a fine of 75,000 shekels — more than $20,000. Authorities in Brazil, Japan, Turkey and Australia also frown on the practice.

Yet in the United States, declawing is still a common — and lucrative — part of the veterinary business. A surgery that's now considered too barbaric for wild animals is widely marketed through coupons and special spay-neuter "package deals" to cat lovers of all stripes. Studies indicate that 22 million cats, about one-fourth of the country's total domesticated feline population, have been declawed. On average, vets charge between $400 and $800 for the surgery, which takes less than 10 minutes per paw and can be done with a scalpel, laser or guillotine-type trimmer.

Really, what can you expect? Other countries have outlawed certain animal growth hormones, certain additives in cosmetics, but here in America I guess we like to pretend that if it's bad for you (or others) then it really must be good for you because you can't trust those pesky scientist who are out to destroy everything good and decent. What do they know if a growth hormone makes cows horribly ill and gives people cancer as long as the free market is involved, and why should we even bother to think how cruel and barbaric we are to those we call family as long as the free market reigns supreme?

 

[Father Heathen]

How about we snip the tips of your fingers off?

That's the emotional, knee-jerk reaction I like to see.

By that logic we shouldn't own any pets, considering we ourselves would never want to be spayed or neutered, be put on a tether or leash, kept in a cage or pin, eat or drink out of a dish on the floor, or be subjected to anything else that we subject our pets to.

 

[DallasApple]

That's the emotional, knee-jerk reaction I like to see.

By that logic we shouldn't own any pets, considering we ourselves would never want to be spayed or neutered, be put on a tether or leash, kept in a cage or pin, eat or drink out of a dish on the floor, or be subjected to anything else that we subject our pets to.

No its not "knee jerk"...

 

[dawny0826]

I signed a contract when I adopted our cats. I agreed not to have them declawed, but, there are many days that I wish they were declawed.

I have known many cats in my life - some declawed and some weren't.

The indoor kitties that I've known who were declawed were fine.

I just ate chicken. I find it rather comical to label declawing barbaric. Granted, it's not exactly necessary, but, there are better things to worry about. If you love your kitty and care for them properly after their surgery...chances are...kitty will be okay.

If you don't want to have the surgery done...trim them!

 

[DallasApple]

[QUOTEThe indoor kitties that I've known who were declawed were fine.
][/QUOTE]

So what many aren't.

I just ate chicken

I don't eat meat and haven't for several years.

. Granted, it's not exactly necessary, but, there are better things to worry about.

Then don't worry about it ..I will....Dont tell ME whats better that I worry about..That's none of your business .

I find it rather comical to label declawing barbaric. G

Go laugh then...Laugh away...

I will continue along with many to not laugh....And find this practice barbaric and eventually it will be illegal....and you can keep laughing..

 

[DallasApple]

Really, what can you expect? Other countries have outlawed certain animal growth hormones, certain additives in cosmetics, but here in America I guess we like to pretend that if it's bad for you (or others) then it really must be good for you because you can't trust those pesky scientist who are out to destroy everything good and decent. What do they know if a growth hormone makes cows horribly ill and gives people cancer as long as the free market is involved, and why should we even bother to think how cruel and barbaric we are to those we call family as long as the free market reigns supreme?

I don't know..I guess because we want to suck down a gallon of milk a day

 

[DallasApple]

That's the emotional, knee-jerk reaction I like to see.

By that logic we shouldn't own any pets, considering we ourselves would never want to be spayed or neutered, be put on a tether or leash, kept in a cage or pin, eat or drink out of a dish on the floor, or be subjected to anything else that we subject our pets to.

Its not "knee jerk" its the truth...have your fingers cut off...then say you have the same advantages as if you hadn't..