Is declawing a cat inhumane?

[everlong_x]

Monkeypie, that is funny! My cat, Cricket, gets stuck on the ottoman we let him scratch. DH doesn''t understand why I won''t declaw him. I''ve got scars all over my arms, but I play with him, so I can''t expect anything less than for him to play back.

 

[Hera]

I gave my mom a Russian Blue one year and she turned around and had her declawed

. It''s been five years and I''m still so mad. The cats can develop personality disorders and my mom''s bites everyone. It makes sense though because if a cat loses it''s ability to defend itself, it just finds another way.

 

[kas baby]

I will never get my future cats declawed, that and a lot of reputable breeders have in their contract that when you purchase one of their cats you CAN NOT declaw them for any reason.

 

[Laila619]

Date: 11/2/2009 8:20:10 PM
Author: heraanderson
I gave my mom a Russian Blue one year and she turned around and had her declawed

. It''s been five years and I''m still so mad. The cats can develop personality disorders and my mom''s bites everyone. It makes sense though because if a cat loses it''s ability to defend itself, it just finds another way.

Oh how sad.

 

[CJ2008]

Declawing - absolutely 100% cruel, inhumane, and SELFISH.

 

[MishB]

Could someone please tell me how you train a cat not to scratch your furniture?

I''ve tried everything with one of ours, providing all manner of scratching posts/mats etc. Sticky tape, water sprays, ''cat off'' sprays, Feliway, you name it.

To say it''s ''laziness'' on my part is really rather offensive. He was a shelter rescue, he was 4 years old when he came to us, and I think the habit is rather ingrained, it''s probably why he was surrendered by his previous owners.

So I can just train him out of it, right?

 

[AmberGretchen]

Yes, unequivocally inhumane, cruel and wrong.

I do think there are kitties who are especially stubborn about their scratching behaviors, but I think that calls for bringing in a cat behavior specialists (many shelters have them on staff and would probably be happy to take a few minutes and suggest specific solutions for frustrated owners), not for brutally mutilating an innocent animal. Always remember - cats aren''t capable of spite, your cat isn''t doing it to thwart, annoy, or anger you, they are just exercising a natural behavior.

 

[bee*]

I think it''s inhumane also. Thankfully it''s illegal to do over here.

 

[Circe]

Declawing is inhumane and reprehensible - it prioritizes decor over the cat''s health and safety.

Claw caps are different IMO - they''re not permanent and don''t cause pain. I still think claw-capped cats needs to be kept indoors (say THAT five times fast) stringently, but since I believe the caps will come off eventually ... in my mind, it''s not as bad. If they don''t, tell me! That''s an element of it I''d never considered ....

 

[Laila619]

Date: 11/2/2009 10:29:14 PM
Author: MishB
Could someone please tell me how you train a cat not to scratch your furniture?

I've tried everything with one of ours, providing all manner of scratching posts/mats etc. Sticky tape, water sprays, 'cat off' sprays, Feliway, you name it.

To say it's 'laziness' on my part is really rather offensive. He was a shelter rescue, he was 4 years old when he came to us, and I think the habit is rather ingrained, it's probably why he was surrendered by his previous owners.

So I can just train him out of it, right?

That is wonderful you rescued a 4 year old cat! Thank you for providing him a good home.

I agree it is much tougher to train an older cat than it is to train a kitten not to scratch furniture. I am sure it is not for lack of effort on your part. Do you trim his nails every once in a while? That always helps, because they can't do a ton of damage when they are not razor sharp. I would keep experimenting with various scratching mats until you find one he really loves. My kitties hate vertical scratching posts, but they LOVE corrugated cardboard scratchers that go on the floor.

 

[Lauren8211]

Date: 11/3/2009 9:14:40 AM
Author: Laila619

Date: 11/2/2009 10:29:14 PM
Author: MishB
Could someone please tell me how you train a cat not to scratch your furniture?

I''ve tried everything with one of ours, providing all manner of scratching posts/mats etc. Sticky tape, water sprays, ''cat off'' sprays, Feliway, you name it.

To say it''s ''laziness'' on my part is really rather offensive. He was a shelter rescue, he was 4 years old when he came to us, and I think the habit is rather ingrained, it''s probably why he was surrendered by his previous owners.

So I can just train him out of it, right?

That is wonderful you rescued a 4 year old cat! Thank you for providing him a good home.

I agree it is much tougher to train an older cat than it is to train a kitten not to scratch furniture. I am sure it is not for lack of effort on your part. Do you trim his nails every once in a while? That always helps, because they can''t do a ton of damage when they are not razor sharp. I would keep experimenting with various scratching mats until you find one he really loves. My kitties hate vertical scratching posts, but they LOVE corrugated cardboard scratchers that go on the floor.

My cats loves those too, and he doesn''t even have claws!

 

[Pandora II]

Thank goodness it''s illegal over here.

People who would do that to a cat totally disgust me and shouldn''t be allowed to own animals - and I don''t care who I offend by saying that... they are appalling, horrible animal abusers.

 

[Callisto]

Date: 11/2/2009 4:56:25 PM
Author: DianaBanana
Yah...they actually cut off part of their bone. It''s quite disgusting. I feel the same way about the cropping/docking of dog''s ears and tails.

Yeah I''ve seen it done actually while shadowing a vet during my undergrad. Its disgusting. I was on the fence about it before, but after seeing it I would NEVER do that to my pets.

 

[lulu]

I have a tall stand up scratcher that''s like a piece of furniture. I usually have it right next to the sofa. When one of them starts scratching the sofa I pick them up and redirect them to the scratcher. No yelling, and lots of praise when they do it. The success rate is not 100%, but I can live with it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/SmartCat-Ultimate-Cat-Scratching-Post-32-Tall-Sisal_W0QQitemZ110225780276QQcategoryZ20740QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=

 

[Camille]

Oh dear, not a cat lover but def inhumane!

 

[radiantquest]

While we are talking about this I wonder if anyone has experience with the pedi-paws system. I think that is what it is called. It is supposed to file them. I wonder if this is a good idea for indoor cats. I am assuming that if they are outside then it would not be good for defending with nail stubs, but then again they probably arent scatching inside if they are outside cats.

Also someone posted that cats don''t irriate on purpose. My Pete does. He will do something small that he is not supposed to do and look at you the whole time he is doing it to see if you are watching. Also if you stop him from doing something he wants to do he will smack you. He knows the big no-nos and would not do those things. His thing that is his favorite is to get on DHs desk or in his piles of paperwork and lay down causing chaos and an avalanche. He knows this irritates DH, but he is not doing it to me mean. I think Pete thinks its funny. I believe that he understands English. One time DH was talking to him about me while I was sitting there and the cat looked at me, then back to him and meowed.

 

[Gleam]

Date: 11/3/2009 11:13:10 AM
Author: radiantquest

Also someone posted that cats don''t irriate on purpose. My Pete does. He will do something small that he is not supposed to do and look at you the whole time he is doing it to see if you are watching. Also if you stop him from doing something he wants to do he will smack you. He knows the big no-nos and would not do those things. His thing that is his favorite is to get on DHs desk or in his piles of paperwork and lay down causing chaos and an avalanche. He knows this irritates DH, but he is not doing it to me mean. I think Pete thinks its funny. I believe that he understands English. One time DH was talking to him about me while I was sitting there and the cat looked at me, then back to him and meowed.

And yes, cats definitely have a sense of mischievousness! That''s the beauty of cats!!

 

[Aloros]

Definitely inhumane. It''s not always easy to train a cat not to scratch, but it''s worth it! I also tend to avoid buying things I know my cat would search out, scratch, and destroy (wicker is RIGHT OUT). All my couches are microfiber.

MishB, it''s definitely more difficult to train an older cat not to scratch inappropriate objects. How is your boy with having his paws touched? I keep mine''s claws regularly trimmed, which also makes it easier to avoid getting scratched up when I play with him. If he''s fine with it, you can also try the softpaws. I''d recommend one of the colored ones, so you can tell if they are still on.

Try different materials, and vertical/horizontal scratching objects. See what he likes best. If you catch him scratching something he''s not supposed to, a firm "no", and then redirect him to what you DO want him to scratch. Praise praise praise if he does it. Douse your scratching objects in catnip - helps make them more appealing.

You can train him out of it, but it''s going to take a lot of work and a lot of consistency.

 

[tyty333]

Absolutely inhumane

!

 

[jewelerman]

this thread has educated me and I will never think of declawing as an option again!

 

[lucyandroger]

Date: 11/3/2009 12:08:05 PM
Author: jewelerman
this thread has educated me and I will never think of declawing as an option again!

Yay!! I wonder how many kitties PS will have saved with all these anti-declawing threads.

PS - Yes, it is inhumane. If scratching is that much of an issue for someone, perhaps a cat is not the best pet for them.

 

[kenny]

Thanks everyone for your input.
The responses are unanimous and emotional.
I only brought this up because I saw in the news that it will be illegal and wondered if anyone objected.

I don't have a cat and wouldn't get one since we have a bird but I thought some people did declaw their cats.
After 49 responses you'd think one or two would admit they have declawed their cats.
But perhaps given how everyone has passionately condemned it they may not feel free to express a dissenting opinion here.
Have I missed a post in which anyone admits or justifies the declawing of cats?

I have heard some parrot owners get their bird's vocal chords removed so they can't scream.
That seems cruel to me though a screaming bird can be hell to deal with.

I think when we get a pet we have a responsibility to accept the inconveniences along with the love we get from our pets.

 

[Lauren8211]

My parents always declawed our cats when I was growing up. I just assumed everyone did this. When DH and I considered getting a kitten to add to our 1 cat home, I did some research on it and immediately decided that I would never do such a thing. We ended up getting a rescue who was 7 (he needed the forever home more than a kitten would) and he happened to be declawed already.

I think a lot of times people (at least in the US) don''t know any better. It''s pretty common around me, as I know several people with declawed cats.

I''m glad I know better now.

 

[TooPatient]

Date: 11/3/2009 11:13:10 AM
Author: radiantquest
While we are talking about this I wonder if anyone has experience with the pedi-paws system. I think that is what it is called. It is supposed to file them. I wonder if this is a good idea for indoor cats. I am assuming that if they are outside then it would not be good for defending with nail stubs, but then again they probably arent scatching inside if they are outside cats.

Also someone posted that cats don''t irriate on purpose. My Pete does. He will do something small that he is not supposed to do and look at you the whole time he is doing it to see if you are watching. Also if you stop him from doing something he wants to do he will smack you. He knows the big no-nos and would not do those things. His thing that is his favorite is to get on DHs desk or in his piles of paperwork and lay down causing chaos and an avalanche. He knows this irritates DH, but he is not doing it to me mean. I think Pete thinks its funny. I believe that he understands English. One time DH was talking to him about me while I was sitting there and the cat looked at me, then back to him and meowed.

Inhumane. Unless there is some REALLY good reason to do it for the cats health and there is no alternative.


We bought a pedi-paws not long ago.

Before considering using it on our cats I tried it on myself. Just touched it to make sure it wouldn''t be painful for them. It is actually very gentle. If you turn it just so and stick the edge against your hand, it is uncomfortable. (I''d rather practice holding techniques on myself than on my cats)

Lilly hates to have her feet touched so it is still a challenge with her. She doesn''t mind the noise of the thing though. I was getting her used to the sound of it and she walked up to me, stuck her paw on my hand that was holding it, and then pulled it closer to sniff the spinning part.

Sven doesn''t really mind it. He''s got enough patience for about 3 claws and then wants to get down. The thing that seems to bother him about it is the noise it makes.


As for using it on Sentra (dog), I haven''t gotten brave enough. She is very gentle and patient but....
So she can just keep getting them trimmed at the groomers.

 

[Laila619]

Kenny,

When I adopted my first cat from a shelter 5 years ago, she was still a kitten and I made an appointment to have her declawed (front paws only). It''s not even like she was scratching or damaging stuff, it''s just what I and my family thought should be done, to keep the furniture safe.

However, after doing some research, I was positively horrified and cancelled the declaw appointment. I am so relieved I did. Now, she is 5 years old and she absolutely LOVES to stretch, scratch and sit on her cardboard scratcher. I would have been so sad to have taken that pleasure away from her, especially for no real reason.

I''m glad they''re changing the law on this.

 

[Maisie]

Our cat has all her claws. We have been on the receiving end of a few scratches too! I would never consider declawing her. It doesn''t seem right to me. I would never dock a dogs tail either. You can''t mess with their bodies like that.

Gracie has a huge cat tree with lots of scratching posts. She sometimes scratches the carpet upstairs but she stops if I tell her to.

I am a first time cat owner and I was amazed at how the claws go in and out. Very clever!

 

[Blackpaw]

Date: 11/3/2009 10:08:55 AM
Author: Pandora II
Thank goodness it''s illegal over here.


People who would do that to a cat totally disgust me and shouldn''t be allowed to own animals - and I don''t care who I offend by saying that... they are appalling, horrible animal abusers.

Perfectly put Pandora.

I have to say im proud of the responses this thread has elicited

 

[geckodani]

I fall into the, "I thought that''s just what you did until I researched it" category. Not anymore!

 

[Gypsy]

One of my friends declaws her cats. Which really frustrates me as she is very liberal, into animal rights, and rescue. But she says she's never seen ill effects, she's responsible about keeping them indoors and safe and keeping the wounds clean, and figures it is better for a cat to have a home declawed than dead at the shelter. She has researched it a lot. And stil doesn't see anything wrong with it.

I don't agree with her, but as she has the legal right to do so I just agree to disagree. She knows how I feel (especially as one of her cats was a rescue of mine from 10 years ago, and I didn't know about the declaw till it was too late) about it but can justify it to herself. I won't deny that it strains me and makes me feel like I am being complicit in what she is doing because I am friends with her. BUT I can stop being friends with her and she'll still do it, or I can stay her friend and try to change her mind. Which is what I do. I haven't been sucessful though. We've been friends for a very long and just two months ago she got her new (9 month old) declawed because he was ruining her walls and she rents (sigh).

The way I feel is this: It shouldn't be a choice between the shelter and dead or declaw. Declaw should be taken off the table, legally, unless it is for the cat's health and then people can decide whether or not they want the whole animal to grace their lifes or just the non-claw parts.

I have four (including my foster Lucy) and I don't really even trim their claws that often-- every couple of months. They get along with each other (not Lucy with the others but she's isolated), don't abuse the furniture (alhtough Duncan and I have to have a talk about my rug) and I have a ton of scratching areas in the house they use. Do I still get the occassional nick or scratch on myself or on the furniture, sure... but I weigh that against my cat's well being and there is no contest.

 

[ursulawrite]

As a Brit living in the US, I can''t believe this practise is still legal in America. Same goes for ear cropping in dogs, and the docking of horse tails.