Cat Protector wrote:

I know this is a topic that keeps popping up over and over again but it just
goes to you that even during the holidays people still think about declawing
their cats. Tonight at Thanksgiving dinner I was shocked to learn that a
couple of guests (they are a married couple) who I had known for years
actually have their cats declawed because they don't like their furniture
being scratched up. When I started on the don't declaw cat side, one of them
said they didn't want to get into this discussion.
I have discovered that those who have no problem with declawing a cat never
want to discuss it.
I pretty much had to hold it in so Thanksgiving dinner wouldn't be ruined

for everyone but I am amazed how people you think you know, you really don't
know. It seems that those who declaw cats really don't want to know about

Oh man, yes, isn't that the truth!

the facts that state declawing is wrong and how it hurts the cat.

This seems to be why we have such wars on here about declawing. I would
never declaw a cat because furniture can be replaced and if you take simple
steps like teaching them to use a scratching post (and praising them for
doing so) as well clipping their claws and giving a firm NO (or squirting
them with water) when scratching in areas that declawing would not be
needed. I think those who declaw don't want to know the truth or simply
can't handle it. I am proud of being on the side that doesn't declaw. Cats
don't deserve such punishment. They are beautiful and wonderful creatures
and should not be harmed. Those who declaw, let's face it are comitting
animal cruelty and don't even realize it because in their mind it isn't
wrong. When will these people learn?

Never is the answer, particulary in some hard core cases.

Declawing is wrong no matter how you
slice it. Declawing a cat also results in behavioral problems with the
animal and they also have health problems as well. A declawed cat also loses
one of their main defensive mechanisms should they ever get outside.

Many animal rescue groups often speak out against declawing but it seems
many don't listen. I have yet to meet that one human believes in declawing
but that is willing to go through the procedure themselves (or one similar).
I doubt I ever will. I think those who declaw cats are nothing but cowards.
It is easy to hide behind ignorance when putting their cat through the
procedure but have they ever asked their cats if it is ok? How would humans
feel if cats just scheduled an appointment for them to have important body
parts removed so their home or furniture wouldn't be ruined? I doubt a human
would find that cool. So, for those considering declawing, read the facts.
There are so many non-harmful treatments you can try to curb bad behavior
and best of all it'd be cheaper. Enough said.


Yep, teach them early on and often what is and isn't appropriate. There
will still be inappropriate clawing but that is to be accepted when one
is owned by a cat. We don't alter a living thing to suit our own needs,
but rather we must accept them as they are. Perhaps those who cannot
accept them as should reconsider their pet choice.