Declawing Remarks

In response to the people claiming that declawing does no harm....

During a declaw surgery, the first joint of every toe is cut off. This is like cutting of the first joint of your fingers, nail and all. Think of the reduced sensitivity, the pain and the issues that would cause. May cats pick things up with their toes and claws; they no longer can. I can only imagine the residual discomfort and hardship this would cause me...

It's also like cutting off the tips of our toes, and it does affect them the rest of their lives. It affects their balance and walking, since they have to learn to walk differently (as we would with the ends of our toes gone). Many have arthritis later due to declawing. Many are killed because they can no longer defend themselves or climb trees (most, there are exceptions to everything but most declawed cats don't climb), and they either slip outside or are let out.

Declawed cats are also more likely to start biting, as their first line of defense or annoyance is taken away. Declawing can cause other behavioral issues; some cats quit using the litter box afterwards, some become antisocial and some more sensitive.

Many vets no longer do declaws because it's painful, unnecessary and causes problems later. It's a good money maker for them, so that just shows you that it must not be a minor discomfort for some to stop. Many places are outlawing it, as it is considered cruelty to many.

Cats are WONDERFUL at hiding pain. I've known some with broken limbs, cancer and other severe issues, and you would never have known they were in pain. It's instinct for them, to show pain makes them an easy target for predators, so they don't. Declawed cats could be living with major pain their whole lives and we'd never know it.

I know many cats who no longer jump down from high places after being declawed, because it hurts. I've known some who will not set their front paws down for weeks, and even then always walk tenderly. These were my OWN cats that I declawed years ago, and a big part of why I no longer do it.

There are many alternatives to declawing. People should know about them before proceeding with a painful, unnecessary surgery.