Quote:
Originally Posted by damaticous
I declawed my cat.
Against my wishes though. I was living with my parents at the time and they didn't want my cat to tear up their furniture. I agreed with it...reluctantly.
Misty was a strickley indoor cat so it was OK....but a outdoor cat really should have their claws for protection (against other cats) or escape predictors (climb trees)
My opinion.
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I've lived w/ 5 cats over the years, all of except one was declawed. I had no idea that people freaked out about declawing a cat until like a couple months ago. So I read up about it, and I still don't see what the big deal is. I think the thing that gets people is the quote "you are cutting off their fingers" thing, and that registers in their head as barbaric.
The four cats that were declawed were all great cats. Had no behavioral problems whatsoever. Very nice loving cats. The only cat I have had that I did not declaw, was when I was like 21 and had my own apartment. I got it from a store for free because they said they were going to put it down. Thing was a nice cat, but it was a bastard. I even got it a climbing tree and a scratching pole. The thing would declaw my furniture. Destroyed a leather couch I had, and even a regular couch. I even have a scar where it accidently scratched me. I was young and didn't have alot of money so I ended up giving it away to someone.
I understand why you shouldn't declaw your cat if it's an ourdoor cat, but my cat is strictly indoor. What does it need to use it's claws for? He doesn't climb, he doesn't hunt, he struts around, eats food. Lays around all day, plays w/ toys. Living the dream. A cat's claw is retracted most of the time anyway. When they are walking, cat claw is retracted, etc. So I don't see it being a complete valid argument that it's their "fingers". Yes, it's a bone that is attached to another joint, but it's not like they need it unless they are in the wild. My cat was knocked out when it had it done. When I got him he was in good spirits, wasn't meowing or yelping in pain at all. He was walking around w/ his bandages on as well, and two of them even came out before the 1 day or so they were supposed to stay on and he had no pain and was purring as can be wherever he went.
The same people who say declawing is so cruel advocate essentially cutting your cats balls off. I know they neuter them to avoid unwanted pets that have to be destroyed, but I don't know about you, I don't want my nuts cut off.
I guess, I couldn't even own a cat if it wasn't for declawing. I have all leather furniture, and it would be completely ruined. I think alot of people in the US would not own a cat unless it was declawed, so that sure beats the alternative of more pets being killed everyday because they are unwanted.