Is Declawing Cruel ??

Yes, it is.

To remove a cat's claws is far worse than to deprive cat owners of their fingernails. This is because the claws have so many important functions in the life of a cat. A declawed cat is a crippled, mutilated cat, and no excuse can justify the operation. In addition to destroying the animal's ability to groom, climb, defend itself against rivals, and protect itself from enemies, the operation of declawing also eliminates the cat's ability to hunt. This may not be important for a well-fed family pet, but if ever such a cat were to find itself lost or homeless, it would rapidly die of starvation.

Facts About Feline Declawing

Declawing is amputation; it is not merely the removal of the claws. To declaw a cat, the veterinarian cuts off the last knuckles of a cat's paw – cutting through bone, tendons, skin and nerves. In a person, it is equivalent to amputating each finger or toe at the last joint.

Declaw surgery can be an extremely painful procedure with associated health risks and complications such as infection.

Declaw surgery can produce permanent lameness, pain or arthritis.

Declawing is the same mutilating procedure for house cats or big cats.

Alternatives to Declawing Cats

(1) Learn to clip your cat's nails or schedule regular appointments with a groomer or vet to have them trimmed.

(2) give kitty nail caps a try. If your cat is willing, they are easy to apply and VERY cute!

(3) Be sure to have plenty of scratching posts and other acceptable scratching areas around your home. You can encourage their usage by sprinkling a bit of catnip on them.

(4) Punishment doesn't work with cats. You will merely create a very frightened or very aggressive cat. When your cat begins to scratch on a piece of furniture, give him a firm warning such as "No, Kitty!" and then give him a quick squirt from a mister or water pistol. This should discourage him. Then call him to his scratching post with a food treat and praise him when he comes and uses the post. This may have to be done over and over until he understands.

(5) Until your cat learns that only the scratching posts (it's recommended that you have several), are for scratching, cover his favorite furniture scratching areas with either one or a combination of aluminum foil, a loosely woven fabric, double-sided tape, or blown up balloons taped to the furniture.

If, unfortunately, a medical condition arises in your household that would make getting scratched by a cat dangerous, find a new loving home for your cherished kitty, knowing that you are doing the right thing for your cat. Your cat loves you, but he really doesn't want to have his toes chopped off in order to be able to live with you. It's just not fair. In fact, it's cruel.

Meow