Is it morally wrong to declaw a house cat because it is ruining your furniture?

Question

Is it morally wrong to declaw a house cat because it is ruining your furniture?

Answer 1

You know what I find the most helpful to train my cats is I bought spray bottles and filled them up with water. I just moved into a new place with a bunch of new furniture. So everytime they are scratching my furniture or getting on my table, I spray them with the water. They stop right away and they are learning if they do it they will get sprayed. They also have a big cat jungle gym/ scratching post that I will perdiocally put them on to give them the idea that its theirs.

Answer 2

Maybe a little morally wrong. What a good friend of mine does with her cat is that she gets plastic coverings made specifically for a cat's claws. You can put them on yourself or a vet/groomer can do it. I believe you can buy them from Petsmart but if they're not there ask a vet. And it's fairly simple to put on; you just extend the claw out and slip the covering over it. They need to be replaced every several months and they stay on strong! Guaranteed to not ruin your furniture.  

Answer 3

You should NOT get it declawed its a cat you should by a cat post and cat nip spray the catnip on the post and it souldnt scracth furninture .

Answer 4

No.

Only have the front claws removed.

There is nothing morally wrong with it. Slight pain maybe if enough anesthesia is not administered. But overall, it's good for the cat as long as it's not going outside.

Not removing the claws can be just as painful. Ever get a hangnail? It hurts. Same goes for a cat.

House cats can get brittle nails. They crack and break.

Removing the nails will only be a detriment if the cat is allowed outside. But keep the back claws.

People claim it hurts. But my cousin had a nail removed. xD

Not quite like a cat, but still. Never bugged her. And she can complain.

It's really up to you though.

Edit - But it won't lead to bad behavior. That's from neglect.

Answer 5

Yes!!!! Go to the cat aisle at Target, Petco whatever and get this double-sided sticky-tape (looks like packaging tape) called "Scratch Not" you apply it to furniture (I had to use it on the door trim of my house I am renting) It keeps them from scratching because they don't like the sensation on their paws

Now also get a corrugated card-board cat sratcher (usually comes w/catnip) and this should help.

PLEASE TRY THIS BEFORE YOU MULTILATE A HELPLESS ANIMAL!!!!

Cat's need their claws for survival, even if they live indoors ;)

Answer 6

I think it's a little extreme to say it's "morally wrong", but I definitely don't agree with it. Cats have a claws for a reason - to defend themselves. All my cats are indoor cats because they don't do well outside (bigger outdoor cats constantly beat them up, so we keep them inside now). Sure it's kind of annoying to come home and find all the sponge that was supposed to be inside of your couch cushion scattered about the house and yes, I hate walking around looking like I just had to crawl my way through a barbed wire maze... but scratching is what cats do. If you train them right, teach them that scratching certain things is a no-no, you shouldn't have a problem.

Plus, there are a million and ways to prevent a cat from scratching something they shouldn't. Double-sided tape (as someone above me said), citrus/spray repellents (spray your couch with the spray and the cat won't want anything to do with it) and there's even these little plastic things you can put on their claws that have a dull tip so that when they scratch something, it does absolutely nothing.

Like I said, if you train a cat right and use the right methods, there's no need to waste money on getting your cat declawed.  =o)

Answer 7

Yea cause it leaves your cat unprotected so just buy a scratching post.

Answer 8

Many people will tell you that it is. I used to be one of them. A declaw procedure is the amputation of the first joint of each toe. I used to be one of the most vocal anti-declaw techs at the hospital I worked at. However, I changed my mind when my cat, whose nails I trimmed frequently, started shredding my brand new bed. It was the first expensive piece of furniture we were ever able to buy. My morals went out the window at that point.

My belief is that, if it keeps a cat in a forever home, rather than euthanized in a shelter, do it. My cat has all 4 paws done. She has never had litterbox problems, has NO problems jumping, has not become aggressive, does not bite, (she doesn't even hiss), and in general does not miss those claws at all.

Too many cats are euthanized because of destructive behavior. It is the #2 reason that cats are given to shelters. #1 is inappropriate urination.

If you want to get your cat declawed, I recommend it wholeheartedly. Just make sure that the cat NEVER goes outdoors again. Once declawed, they have no defense.

And I will get a million thumbs down for this answer, but again, I'd rather see a declawed cat in a forever home, than a cat with all it's claws euthanized for destruction.  

Answer 9

Yes. It isn't the cat's fault you have not trained him/her to use a scratching post. We have three cats and they do not bother the furniture because they have a variety of scratching posts and boards and have been taught to use them.

Below I have cited a Humane Society article on declawing. Many people do not realize what declawing really is.

Answer 10

i work in a vet clinic and have been present for only one declawing op (I think it is actually illegal in my state anyway now) but it is horrible.  Please be aware they firstly have to 'deglove' (pull the skin of the foot back as if it were a glove) and cut the bone of each toe at the knuckle to prevent the nail regrowing.

Honestly i cannot give moral credence to the procedure (including the recovery time) when compared to learning how to cut an animals nails or even other alternatives to use on furniture - ie: spray bottles or stickypaws tape.  So much less invasive and painful at the expense of a little time and effort :-)

Answer 11

no,i dont think so people do it ALL THE TIME! lets not be tree hugers...

Answer 12

yes.

Answer 13

Personally I believe it's morally wrong to declaw cats because it's of no benefit to them whatsoever.  In my mind it's not unlike Shariah law where thieves have their hand cut off, except stealing isn't a natural behaviour, whereas scratching is for cats.

It's been illegal in many countries for years because it's classed as animal cruelty.  Vets in the UK refuse to perform the procedure because they consider that it would cause the cat to suffer.  

Cats have a physical and emotional need to scratch and as long as they have a scratch post or something else they're allowed to use, they will leave furniture alone.  They've got scent glands on their paws so once they begin to scratch somewhere, it leaves a scent that they need to top up from time to time.  This is why it really is worth persevering with training because once they establish a scratch item, they will always use it.

The web sites below have good advice on encouraging them to use a scratch post and how to protect furniture, carpets etc.  

http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20probl...

http://www.catscratching.com/

Answer 14

Try those fake nail things for cats before you declaw.  

Answer 15

I personally don't agree with de-clawing cats, but as i have five of them in my house i can understand you feelings. Go to a pet store and buy some pet nail clippers, they are a dream! I have been using them for the past two years and my furniture is scratch free! (well, apart from the rug, but that's because our cats loved it and kept chewing the edges lol)

Answer 16

I would have to say yes.  Declawing cats is predominantly an American thing.  And we do it simply for convenience.  In fact, in many countries, especially in European countries, it is illegal to declaw cats, as it is considered "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation."  Also, you should keep a couple of other things in mind.  First of all, those claws are attached to the bone.  Imagine what it would feel like have a piece of your bone sawed off.  Secondly, from what I've read, declawing a cat sounds like an excruciatingly painfully process for the cat.  And the recovery process isn't much better.  Just remember that while that cat is recovering, it must still use it's paws for walking, jumping, or scratching in it's litter box, despite the pain in may be in.  While cats scratching up your furniture is quite frustrating, there are alternatives.  You may want to look into Soft Paws.  They are basically little caps that you glue over their claws, kind of like fake nails for people.  They last about 4-6 weeks and they come in all sorts of colors.  That will keep your cat from scratching up the furniture and it is far more humane than putting them through the pain and stress of surgery.

Answer 17

Only you can decide.  

But perhaps you should be able to justify your decision if you do so.  

Perhaps you should have made up your mind before you got your cat.  

On the other hand.  YOU GOT A CAT and never suspected that it would scratch up things you hold in high value?   You should have thought things through a little better.

If you do declaw your cat, you are removing it's defenses.  Therefore it would be ill-advised of you to ever let your cat outside.    

Answer 18

no not really

Answer 19

Absolutely yes.

Do you realize what goes into declawing? It's not a simple removal of the claws but a full blown amputation of healthy toes. Declawing a cat means removing the entire first joint/bone of each toe. It'd be like cutting our fingers off at the first knuckle. Declawing causes extreme pain to the cat and often problems down the line (litter box issues from associating the litter box with pain after surgery, personality changes/biting/and skittishness from having their first line of defense removed, arthritis from having to learn a new way of carrying their weight etc.).

Did you know it's illegal and considered inhumane mutilation in most countries outside the U.S.? I've personally observed a declaw surgery at a vet and it's not a pretty sight to watch a vet take guillotine nail clippers and lop off parts of toes... very barbaric looking (laser removal has less healing time and pain, but really isn't that much better in the long run). Please don't put your furniture over your cat's wellbeing, it's just selfish. Declawing has no benefits to the cat, only the owner. There are numerous alternatives including scratching posts and surfaces, sticky tape, deterrent sprays, Soft Paws nail caps, and nail trimming. Please read more on this awful procedure before you consider it:

http://www.declawing.com/

http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?ac...

http://www.softpaws.com/

Answer 20

Yes, it's a cat it will have claws get it some catnip scratching posts!

Now let's take out your nails and see how you would feel :)  

Answer 21

It;s mutilation and it's wrong.

Use SOFT PAWS instead. I just put them on my two cats a week ago and they are GREAT!!!

No more clawing and the cats don't even care that they are there. Just be sure they don't go outside, because they can't climb with them on.

Answer 22

Yes.  It's a mutilation of the cat's claws and is very painful. Declawing can lead to even worse behavior like biting and not using the litter box. People should understand that cats have claws and must be allowed to scratch somewhere. They can easily be trained to a scratching post with a bit of effort. If someone can't accept that a cat has claws, they should not get one as a pet.

http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/

Answer 23

no, as long as the cat stays a house cat, its much safer for the family. (he'll be grumpy for a while though ;)  )

Answer 24

yes,especially when there is clipping,look at these pics (CATION,THEY ARE GRAPHIC) this is how they do it!!!! its not that hard to clip them! you can find vids on youtube or ask the vet to show you how....you could also get a good scratching post,or different kinds....there are emotional and physical disadvantages to declawing,they often get mean and hide more as they have no way to protect themselves,and should they ever get out they would have absolutely no way to stay safe...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/vi...

http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/vi...

Answer 25

It is your cat, and your decision. All of my family's cats have been declawed with never any problems. As long as it stays inside, you have nothing to worry about. Let it be a decision made between you and your vet. The people on here are often very graphic about it, but a cat is a PET, not a person, and if it's between the cat and the furniture, and declawing would help, then I say declaw.

rmbrruff and oh_vickie, I really like your answers. It's true that it's done for convenience, and I'm okay with that reason. Yes, it's convenient for me to, instead of being bitten bloody clipping my cat's nails, get rid of so many problems (scratching me, scratching furniture, etc.) just by a simple procedure. My cat is too young to use scratching posts, but when he's old enough I'll be at work and not home to train him not to claw my furniture. Also, he LOVES being squirted with water and coins in a can aggravate him more. He's not afraid of anything.

I will say again, cats. are. not. people. They don't even know they have claws.

Oh yeah, and it's illegal in Europe because people there have been declawing their outdoor cats. It's never okay to let a declawed cat outside.

My cat was neutered today. I let bullies on this d**n website talk me out of declawing, but I'm getting it done very soon. I went to ebay and bought soft claws, but I have no idea how I'm going to get them on him. And then if I do, and he gets outside, those things will hinder him just as much as no claws at all. Cats don't fight with their front claws, but they climb trees with them. I don't see how a cat can climb a tree to get away from a fight with those soft plastic socks on their nails.

Morally wrong? No. But according to many of the people commenting on this website, I'm already going to h**l for feeding my cat something I can buy at walmart, so I really can't win.

Answer 26

Declawing a cat actually includes removing the first "knuckle" also - like removing a human's first knuckle to make sure the fingernail doesn't grow back.  There are other things you can try - try double sided tape - when it sticks to the cat's paw, it won't try anymore; spray the cat in the face with a water spritzer; shake a plastic bag at the cat when it starts to scratch; give the cat a catnip scratcher (it's actually just cardboard in a box that the cat can scratch - put it next to the chair where it usually scratches - you can buy these at Wal-Mart for about $5)

Answer 27

If you take a household with two cats, one has no front claws and one does, they have back claws, but the cat that has front claws, will scratch and knead anywhere they want. A cat with no claws still kneads, but they have no claws to scratch furniture even though they still try. This issue has become controversial over the years as many groups feel cats need claws. If they remain inside, the choice does not matter.

Answer 28

yes,cats claw things everyone knows that so anyone that isn't prepared to put up with it should not consider owning a cat. A cat has claws for grip and for defense stripping a cat of its claws will leave it no protection from other cats in the neighbourhood or with a quick route out like scarpering up a tree or over a wall.

Answer 29

declawing is torture.

Your cat needs her claws for just about everything she does. When she plays, her claws grip the toy while she punches it with her hind feet. Her claws provide proper balance and secure footing when she climbs, and are her main means of defense should she be attacked.

Your cat also uses her claws for scratching; this allows her to mark her territory. It also exercises her muscles. You've also probably seen her kneading her paws in contentment-this harkens back to her kitten days, when such action stimulated the flow of milk when she was nursing.

If these ten tiny tools are so important to a cat, why do some owners have their animal companion's claws removed? Declawing is expensive, painful surgery. Think of it as having the first joint of all your fingers removed. And because their first line of defense has been taken away, declawed cats may resort to biting more often than their intact counterparts. Some veterinarians around the country refuse to perform declawing surgery.

If your cat is scratching where she shouldn't, the problem is behavioral, not medical. You may want to consult an animal behavior professional, but ASPCA experts suggest several humane solutions you can try to redirect your pet's energies. Remember, it's perfectly normal for cats to scratch, and it's up to you to provide yours with appropriate places to do so. Sisal or rug-covered posts at least 3 feet tall have satisfied many a feline's scratching needs. Corrugated cardboard scratching boxes are an inexpensive and effective alternative. Pile on the praise-and offer an occasional food reward-whenever she uses her new scratching post. She'll soon lose interest in her old haunts. During retraining, you'll need to stop her from using her favorite inappropriate place, such as the chair leg or draperies. Cover these spots with heavy plastic sheeting, tin foil, balloons or double-stick tape. You can minimize much of the destruction while your pet's being retrained by clipping her nails every 10-14 days. Surprisingly, cats can do little or no damage when their claws are kept blunt.

If behavior modification is not going as smoothly as you'd hoped for, ask your veterinarian about rubber or plastic caps that glue on a cat's claws. These will last about eight weeks, They provide additional protection against damage, and are a much better, and humane, alternative to amputation.