Why would anyone declaw a cat?

Question

A cat was born with those claws. They are part of the cats self defense. They actually have blood going into them. They are not dead like our fingernails. Why would people do this to a pet they love? I just don't understand. If they can't tolerate claws maybe a cat is not for them.

Answer 1

I don't know. I am not a violent person, but if somebody tells me they are declawing their cat, visions of shiny 9mm's flash through my head.

I have 3 who were declawed when I adopted them. They have to learn how to walk again, learn to jump, and honestly, become less confident. It's CUTTING OFF THE FIRST KNUCKLE!!

People say, well, it's better than it not having a home. Unless you're a heomphiliac, don't get a cat if you care so much about your home.

I wish they'd make it illegal.

Answer 2

Usually done to indoor cats to protect the furniture, drapes, etc. But I agree...if the cat gets out, it is defenseless and I have seen damage done to the cat from this like an awkward walk which affects the spine. You can now buy claw covers to go over them as an alternative.

Answer 3

Why do I see so many thumbs downs?  

Answer 4

i no so sad people do it so they cannot damage the chairs i say they should just get dogs

Answer 5

I agree completely.  I think it's because "declawing" doesn't sound so bad.  People don't realize that it isn't just the claw that's removed, but the whole digit up to the first joint.  The wound may heal over, but the cat never really recovers from the phantom pain of the lost claws.

People who are in favor of declawing probably haven't watched a cat very closely before.  My cats look like the happiest critters in the world when they're scratching their post or kneading their cat bed.  When we scratch their chins, they like to flex their claws into the carpet.  I think people don't realize how important the claws are, maybe because indoor cats don't "need" them in the strictest sense of the word.

You're right, though.  If they can't tolerate claws, then a cat isn't the pet for them or they need to put the time in to teach their cat the difference between good scratching (post) and bad scratching (couch).

Answer 6

Some people just don't know what they're doing and some people, sadly, just care more about their furniature and carpets than their cats. It makes me so mad!

Here is some info that I give to everyone who asks about declawing (for those people who are for it)

If you’re thinking about having your cat declawed, there are many things you should know before you make your decision.  The surgery is basically an American trend, and is considered inhumane and is illegal in many countries (England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Yugoslavia and Japan).  If that doesn’t impact your opinion about declawing, maybe this website will help you decide: http://community-2.webtv.net/stopdeclaw/...

I believe that people who have their cats declawed are uneducated.  It is not very difficult to train your cat to use a scratching post.  The surgery is not simply a trimming of the claws, it’s an amputation of the distal phalanx, including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated.  If you were to make a comparison, it would be like having the last joint of each of our fingers chopped off.  So of course it is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery.  There are often many complications in the healing process, including infection often from litter box use, resulting in a life-long aversion to the litter box.  Other declawed cats that can no longer mark with their claws, will mark with urine instead, resulting in inappropriate elimination problems.  

Many cats who have been declawed are traumatized and become withdrawn, nervous, fearful and/or aggressive.  Cats who went through the painful surgery are more prone to resort to biting when they feel threatened.  Since cats have emotional feelings (just like we do) they can resent you if you decided to get them declawed.  All of these things can cause depression and ultimately lead to an overweight cat.

If a cat who has been declawed accidentally escapes, he/she would be in great danger.  A cat needs it's claws to defend itself, as well as to escape by climbing.  The constant state of stress, caused by a feeling of defenselessness may make some declawed cats more prone to disease.  Also they cannot stretch their back and shoulder muscles like they do naturally when they dig their claws into a scratching post.  

One popular alternative is Soft Paws.  They are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws.  They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post.  Soft Paws are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks.  They come in clear or colors--which are really fun.

Most common types of damage are scratched furniture, ripped carpets and shredded wallpaper.  You want to eliminate the problem before it occurs.  Buy or build a stable, tall scratching-post, right from the start.  Here are some tips to do it right: If your cat is scratching your furniture or rugs, here is some advice on training them to use a scratching post:

• The post should be at least two feet high, covered with sisal-rope

• Get more than one, especially when you have a multi-cat household

• Place the post close to the furniture or other areas which are most at risk

• Introduce a new scratching-post with some catnip sprinkled on its surface.  Cats love that and it’s more attractive to them

• If your cat starts scratching the "wrong" object, say "NO" and gently carry your cat to the desired post.  Demonstrate how to use it by scratching the post with your own nails.  If the cat doesn‘t catch on after trying this repeatedly for a few days, gently pick up his paws rub them along the post.

• Never force your cat.  When it starts scratching the post by itself, make sure you use verbal praise with a rewarding treat and affection.  The cat needs to know that using the scratching post results in positive things such as affection, playing and treats.

• When you have a kitten, start early with the "pawing at post" technique

• Invest in what’s called a “cat tree” which acts also as a leisure area for your cat.  Different textures and heights make it more interesting, you perhaps want to build it yourself

• Try some repellent like pepper-dust or some commercial products on your furniture to keep your cat off these areas

• Be persistent and don't give up too soon

Use cat claw trimmers and only take off a tiny bit at the end of the nail. Some people say to do it every other week. I think it‘s safer to cut off less than you are told, and to do it more often, (like once a week). Never use trimmers that are made for humans or dogs, because you are more likely to hurt her that way. You can ask your vet or groomer to show you the proper way to do it. Here's a website that shows you how:  

http://www.catscratching.com/htmls/artic...

Answer 7

I agree. It is really sad when they do that :(

Answer 8

I know, I completely agree. I can't stand the thought of someone declawing their cat.

Some people really don't understand all the painful and difficult things that happens to the cat later in life. Such as, how humans have our thumbs to hold on to things, cats use their claws to grasp things, they don't have thumbs. Also they use them to stretch their back and shoulders which if they can't do becomes spine injuries. Also people are taking their cats main defense weapon, once that is taken away cats usually break out into biting problems. The way I think of it is someone performing TEN amputations (if only the front paws are done) Pain meds may help initially, but phantom pain may last for weeks or months, as nerve endings heal. Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering and spaying surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain. They're covers you put on your cat's claws (Soft Paws, I think the name is) , and a humane alternative to declawing. I'm not that big a fan of them, but it's better than chopping off bits of their paws!!

Answer 9

Good question.  I actually asked a question like that a couple weeks ago.

people are just senseless and won't take the time to research other HUMANE ways.  they don't understand that cats need their claws.  the people only think about themselves.

They don't understand that they have a product out there called Soft Paws, they have scratch posts....

like i said they just don't take the time to look for that kind of stuff.

and you make a great point, if the owner doesn't like claws then they shouldn't have a cat.  cats NEED their claws for defense, and if they don't have them, what are they going to do?  they majority of the time resort to biting, and that's worse.  some cats don't act the same...

it's just pathetic that someone would do that

Answer 10

I wouldn't have this blog about my cat if he was declawed. My cat is a natural born killer and relies on his claws to attack things. I would never declaw him.

http://www.sammythekiller.com

Answer 11

i do agree but people do it because they want a perfect little indoor kittie that wont claw them or their little kids. they shouldn't get a cat if they cant deal with the claws.

Answer 12

My cats have always been rescue cats,some feral. I have had them declawedkept at the vets overnight,& brought home with medicine. They still use scratching posts, still fight with each other,still climb,no problem,are licensed microchipped & ALWAYS kept indoors.

One cat was a very mean biter(puncture) & scratcher who would grab,scratch & bite in an instant. Now he is lovable & still just as playful,but when he grabs me, he doesn't scratch. Plus I'm diabetic & leg injuries are dangerous.

Answer 13

Because they're idiots!

Answer 14

I think that some people are genuinely unaware that it's amputation of the end of the cat's toes.  Whilst vets continue to promote declawing, people will also assume that it must be okay.

Having grown up in a country where declawing has been banned for so long, that most people have never heard of it, I too wonder why anyone would think it necessary or humane.

Answer 15

Declaw a cat is ruthless!! SOME VETS will no longer do this. Its major surgery, they have to dig out the nail and the nail bed, its quite painful and can take a long time to feel better SO BARBARIC!!! DON'T DO IT!!

Answer 16

I agree with you! Heartless scoundrels

Answer 17

you are so true!!!!!!!!

Answer 18

my cat is declawed but i didnt do it. I actually wish he wasnt bcoz he got out and a dog nearly killed him

Answer 19

I agree. Above and beyond that there are SO many ways to stop scratching.

I have a cat tree and a couple scratchin posts. My two boys use those and always have.

Answer 20

As a cat owner of three extremely happy and spoiled declawed cats i suppose i should put in my 2 cents.... since the only people answering seem to be anti-declawing folks.

Please don't assume i don't know what exactly is done to a cats paws. I do know.

We had our cats front claws removed when they were spayed, so that the experience wouldn't have to be as tramatic as having two different vet visits. After the first day or two the cats (a 9 year old, a 3 year old, and a 2 year old... all done at seperate times) were fine. To this day they still pretend to scratch the furniture (we call it phantom claw syndrome ^_^ ) Our oldest, who used to be a farm cat, will sometimes escape (we try to keep them all indoors) she's gotten into a few fights and ALWAYS comes out victorious (fiesty little thing) She even manages to climb trees, and get down without any problems. During the summer, when it's next to impossible to keep her in, she often brings me little "gifts" (mice, rabbits, large bugs) she's the best mouser we've ever had. I'm not saying I recommend declawing outdoor cats... that's just crazy. I'm merely pointing out that my cats have no negative issues because of the procedure. Their behaviors didn't change (i've read on a few sites that people claim their pets have completely different personalities after their claws are removed... well my cats are the same as they were before... but less destructive to our house and each other.)

So why did we declaw our babies? I admit most the reasons are selfish... But if a few days of pain for them, and a handful of money from me is what it takes to spend our lives happily ever after together... i'd say it's worth it. And the purring balls of fur on the couch next to me probably agree.

EDIT:  I just noticed someones comment about declawed cats not being able to grasp things... My middle cat Binks is always clutching random objects to chew on them (she sits like a prairie dog to do it... so cute!) AND they are all able to bat at string and grab onto their toys... :)  So i don't see how that's a good argument at all.

Answer 21

I agree completely.

My parents declawed two cats when I was a child (I was 8-9 and had no understanding of what was done and my parents didn't really know the details at the time) and no one in my family would ever do it again.  They have three cats, all with claws and I have six, all with claws.  It takes a little while to train the kittens but it's not like it's that tough.  And I've been pleasantly surprised by my ability to build cat structures for them to scratch and climb.  I also know to avoid fabric with a lot of texture unless I want it to be a scratching post.  

My cats get along pretty well but also play pretty rough.  They bite, scratch and role around together.  No one gets hurt, they know how to play without actually hurting each other.  

I could never remove their claws.  They're part of the family, if they s***w up and claw something too much then I have to just get over it and train them better.  

Answer 22

My poor Archimedes whom I adopted from a shelter in Feb of this year is declawed...it is so sad seeing his mutilated little paws. =(  He is 7 years old.  I also had a 19 year old cat who was given to me because the owners didn't want to take her cross country, and she was declawed.  Her feet looked so tiny because of the missing first digit. =(  She lived to be 20 years old before she passed.  

Answer 23

did you see the woman who just said a cat doesn't use its front claws for fighting? or walk on them? every cat i have every seen trying to run on linoleum not only walks on his claws, he runs on them for traction.

it is called "justification" you know it is wrong, but you find ways of justifying it, like saying they dont use them for self defense.

edit - "hated" is example number 2 of "justification."

Answer 24

i agree, if someone cant cope find a friend that WANTS a cat, or put them in a friendly cat home. untill now i had never even heard of de clawing a cat, it's barbaric

Answer 25

first of all you cant declaw a cat you got to calm the cat down i have 5 cats how you calm them down is you wait till it lies down and you pet it till  it relaxes.

Answer 26

I totally agree.  And any one who is considering having their cat declawed should have the first joints of all of their fingers removed and see how that feels.  They don't just take the claws, they take the entire first joint off.  This is cruel to the cat, and if your furniture is so important to you, don't get a cat.    (I have just been reading all of the answers so far, and I must say I am pleased with most of the attitudes that every one has for the humane treatment of cats!! )