cats outside
- why do people let their cats outside? With the amount of strays and diseases and other dangers they can run into, it seems horrible and cruel to me. I'll sit out on the deck with a leash but never let them run free. You think their claws will stop a coyote or a car? I don't even let my dogs out without supervision. I live just outside Chicago so not rural and there are coyotes here. There are way too many cats roaming and these cats seem to like our garage and my husband's refurbished antique car. Apparently they still have their claws.
- —Guest Concerned
Declawing
- I have two cats that are adopted. I adopted them already declawed and would not have adopted a cat with claws although I would not have an animal declawed. I live in a 100 year old farm house with a lot of antiques. We have a lot of scratches from previous clawed cats. We trained them but as soon as we leave the house they would let loose. If you are cat owner, you know cats have a mind of their own. Next I just had to mention because I always read people say imagine not having fingertips. Have been a farmer all my life I lost half of two fingers, the tips off the other two and half my thumb on one hand in a tractor incident that is better left unsaid. Guess what? I'm fine. I still farm and have a normal life. Stop with the 'imagine having no fingertips' crap. what do you need them for. manicures? Oh and the only behavior of mine that changed post accident, is I no longer put my hand near tractor blades. I also must say I still feel like I have my entire fingers.
- —Guest Farmer
Declawing cats
- I think it's a very cruel thing to do. If you don't like their nails then you shouldn't have them. None of the vets in out area will do it. That shows just how awful it is... it's like someone pulling your fingernails out!!!! Watch it being done before you decide to do it & I'm sure you will change your mind if you love your cat.
- —gidgit5353
new baby
- My girlfriend insisted on bringing her cat with her when we moved in together. I insisted she get it declawed. She is pregnant and I think that being declawed in a small price to pay in order to stay sheltered, safe, and well fed. God knows that if our baby recieved one scratch from this cat, declawing would seem humane and peta approved as opposed to what would happen to it i got my hands on it.
- —Guest ruf
iwils1007
- Declawing should be against the law. My vet refuses to do it. Did you know if is cutting off the first knucle of each paw? I think that's cruel.
- —Guest Irene Wilson
declawing
- I have two stories about the subject. my sister insisted on declawing her 8 yr old cat, it was terrible. The cat ended up getting out and was attacked by two dogs under a car and they pulled his tail off, he could not climb a tree. I recently adopted an abused declawed cat that was kicked outside and she has been fine. The only thing is that I have to go outside with her everyday because she can't climb tree's either. The one good thing is that she was born without a tail so getting it bit off wouldn't happen. She's been around other cat's that she has scrapped with and she uses her back claws and her teeth, which she has also used on me. Im not for declawing because cat's need there claws for all different types of things and they love to be outside.
- —Guest Renee
declawing text
- My mission is two-fold: The first is to eliminate the practice of de-clawing cats. I believe the best way to do that is not to patronize veterinarians who provide de-clawing, and not to purchase cats from shelters or pet stores who offer de-clawed cats. The second part of my mission is to allow cats to go outside with supervision for at least an hour each day. Cats can be trained and will stay close to home. Despite what you may have read or been told, the removal of a cat’s claws is very painful for the cat. Not only is the claw removed, but the doctor amputates the first joint of each toe. Cats are given painkillers, often morphine, to alleviate the pain. Once “healed” the cat can still have pain and numbness throughout its life. As a clawless cat ages it usually experiences changes in the way the joints and paws work together causing stress on the joints, inflammation, or arthritis. As with any surgery, there is a chance of infection. A cat is virtually helpless without claws.
- —Guest kathleen
Declawing is not necessarily defenseless
- I have had several cats throughout my life that have lived beyond expectations, all have been declawed. The procedures today are much less invasive and my babies have no idea they have been declawed. They still smack just as hard and can in fact climb trees and come back down. They are inside cats, but do slip out once in a while. My 7 yr old got outside, declawed. She was gone for about a week before coming home without a scratch on her. Cats have several defense mechanisms, not just their claws. They very much operate with a bluff, like my tail is bigger than your tail kind of thing. Older cats can lose this bluff though and will not be as inclined to use it if in a confrontation. Declawing is a personal choice. Talk to your vet, make an educated decision.
- —prncssblondie
Declawing, Yay or Nay?? I say NO!!
- My mother raised me around cats she loved them. She always told me declawing cats are inhumane because if something is to happen they have no defense unless the other animal gets close enough for them to bite them. I agree extremely on that statement however, I adopted a male that was already declawed and I could completely understand why he was declawed he has this fetish about standing up and constantly pawing at closed doors. If not declawed that would really mess up some doors however, he got outside the other (Even if an inside only, they always find a way to slip outside) and a male stray attacked my small female and he ran to the rescue he couldn't do anything and that male almost hurt him terribly bad luckily they were separated immediately. Its just not fair to the animal and there are other ways to keep them from destroying your home, like scratching post ect. If you teach them that the bad behavior is not allowed as kitten it will also help prevent it as they get older.
- —Guest brezzy1990
Declawing, if done right, is OK
- My Vet does not cut the whole end of the toe off. If Your Vet does that, you need to find another Vet. Mine makes a small cut and removes only the nail. No meat or hair of any kind. In 36 hours, they were running and playing like nothing ever happened. Some have put horror pictures on the internet, but all they need to do is get a GOOD Vet. Just because they don't like it, they can't tell me that I don't.
- —sbelless
declawing cats
- I really don't like declawing cats, but I have had several cats and there is no way to stop them from tearing up your furniture except to declaw them. I would wake up at night and hear the cat tearing up my mattress. There are signs of damage all over my house on my furniture from her nails. If you want a cat in the house and don't want your furniture torn up I see no other way except to declaw the front nails only thougth.
- —BettyAtlanta
declawing cats
- I believe when done right and the right like laser surgery it is fine to declaw a cat. My cats are 7 and I got them declawed at 3, and the still scratch on things the same way they did when they had claws. So they act like they don't even know that they are not there. I recommend as a 5 year vet assistant that if you are going to have an inside cat especially around children that you have it declawed, but the right way and the front only. Also don't forget to spay and neuter your pets.
- —Guest tsf12
Declawing cats
- I feel is WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! I have worked as a Vet.Tech. Declawing is Amputation. Plain & simple. We have alternative ways all over our house for our cats to use. If you really love your cat you will NOT have this procedure done. Should your pet get outside it has no defense.
- —Guest Mary Jane Welch
Who gives you the right?
- I have owned cats all of my life, some had claws, most didn't. I elect to have my cats declawed for various reasons: the bacteria and germs introduced to a cat claw injury via puncture or scratch can lead to infection, cat scratch fever, scarring, and if a young child is scratched severely enough, life long emotional trauma to the person. I cannot afford to replace furniture on a regular basis due to cat claw damage. Only in EXTREME cases would I EVER agree to a 4 claw declaw. The cats that I have owned and had declawed have never displayed any emotional or long term physical trauma due to a declaw. All of my cats have always been very loveable. My cats are not allowed outdoors where the environment is far more dangerous to them, yet if they happen to get out, they still have the ability to climb trees and defend themselves if need be. So who gives anyone the right to tell me whether I can declaw or not? All my cats have lived long and happy lives and died at very old ages.
- —Guest CatLvr
100% AGAINST DECLAWING
- I say don't get a cat then try to make it not a cat by mutilating it. Cats scratch things for many reasons and it is very important for the cats well being. Cats can be trained to scratch in the proper places and if you don't have the time or patience or whatever it takes to take care of their needs do not get a cat. That goes for other animals too. There are claw covers that work to help with clawing too. Neither furniture or a person getting scratched is a reason to mutilate your cat. As far as them getting along without their claws, you might smile again and go about your daily routine if you had your arm amputated for no reason but I think you would probably rather keep your arm.
- —Guest cat lover
