Readers Respond: Tell Us What You Think About Declawing Cats

I am always a little surprised that many people have no idea what is involved with a declawing surgery. Do you think cats should be declawed? Have you had a cat that destructively clawed furniture? How did you deal with the situation? Are there cases where declawing should be allowed, or never as an elective procedure? Tell us what you think.

Please note: this is your own "mini article" on this topic - it is not the place for personal attacks or questions. Thank you. Share your opinion

i have 4 cats

i got two of my cats declawed i think its not cruel i think its nice because they don,t scratch me

—Guest liz smith

Do not declaw your cat!

I had my cat declawed when she was a kitten. She is now 6 and at least 5 of her nails are growing back and not normally. They are deformed and look very painful. Although she does not seem to be in pain, the growing back of the nail cannot be comfortable. I am highly against declawing you cat. It is very mean and inhumane. Unless there's a serious medical issue and your cat needs it's nails taken out, do not declaw your cat!! There are many ways to teach your cat not to scratch. Just think about getting the tip of your finger cut off, that's what you're doing to your poor cat. I will never again declaw my cat

—Guest Justine Travis

I though declawing was safe-- It's not.

I'm a first owner cat. I've never grew up with cats. But since my husband and I found this sweet female kitty back in November, I've been doing my research about this procedure and what I found it's horrible. I though the doctor trim the cat's nails only. Turns to be that is a major and painful surgery. My kitty is well behaved. She gets along well with my Shih-tzu and she doesn't destroyed my furniture at all.

—Guest Guest Margui

Never... except sometimes

Growing up we had two cats who had cerebellar hypoplasia. The illness causes the cat to be very clumsy and uncoordinated. They constantly scratched their own faces while cleaning themselves and did similar harm to each other while playing - unintentionally, of course, but nonetheless their claws were an ever present threat to their well-being and health. This constant suffering did not seem fair to two otherwise pleasant creatures and the infections they caused themselves (especially when injuring their eyes) got to be too much. We had their front claws removed after years of strain on all involved and they lived long, mostly injury free lives after that. So... no. It shouldn't be something you do without a good reason, but good reasons do exist.

—Guest Kit

cruelty

it is cruel to declaw cats.it is against nature.we live in india,we never even trim the nails of cats.it is upto the owner,but declawing is not a good option becoz a cat slip outdoor and can come home injured as they have robbed of their primary source of self defense

—shan225

Never attempt amateur declawing!

One of my rescues has deformed nails--twisted and doubled up--and we specculate that someone may have attempted to declaw him without knowing what was involved, or even a botched vet job. It is conceivable that he was born that way but unlikely. If this was something he endured, the nails grew back in but in a deformed state. So now when he scratches me, it is more like a gouge with a double stubby nail. He has healed, but I have to keep his nails cut frequently so I don't get hurt! Which for me is the obvious solution--learn how to trim your cat's nails correctly and be diligent, which should minimize the wear and tear on furniture, you, etc., and the cat can remain intact. I think many people are ignorant on the subject, and also too lazy to properly care for their animal(s).

—Guest Guest MS

Declawing Cats...

I know it's an easy fix to deal with what can be a problem... However, unless you've tried everything please give this a thought... What if someone pulled off/out all your fingernails?? think about how it would change your live forever... Nails/fingernails serve us in way's we don't even stop to think about.... I once had 3 of my fingernails ripped off by a packaging machine. Without them the sensitivity of my right fingers was beyond words... Being able to place their mark on something with paws/claws is part of what it means to be a cat... I've always trimmed my cat's claws... It's best to start this practice when their young... But I've adopted an older cat. After a trust level was established trimming claws was no problem......

—Guest Roberta Bellard

No no no

With all the other options out there now, there is no reason for getting cats declawed. Unless it's for medical reasons. Just because you get a cat declawed does not mean you are safe from harm. Cat scratch fever can be passed from cat to human through bites as well. Cat's have claws for a reason. Their claws are their grip. Cut off our thumbs and see how well we can deal with life. Cat's need their nails in case they slip fall off something. I have watched declawed cats jump up onto something poorly, try to grab on, only to have nothing to grab with, and end up landing hard on the floor. People who do this to their cats are ignorant of how cruel the action is. It should be the last resort you -have- to turn to. Never the first. Educate yourself. Its just as cruel as people who shock their dogs because they bark.

—kayiko

Have to declaw

I have had cats all my life and neve would have considered declawing. That has changed since i adopted a mother cat and her two female kittens. One of the kittens has aggressive behavior that we have been unable to control. She likes to claw and scratch, including coming into a room and jumping on my leg,hip,back, and hanging on with her claws. We tried blowing, spraying water, two sided tape. nothing works. And, yes, i have lots of scratching post and mats. She just likes to attack. I am tired of getting hurts several times a day, and i am not euthanizing. Declawing is my reasonable choice, and she will have the procedure when she gets spayed next month. until then, i am at her mercy.

—Guest lavender

declawing and adoption

My sister and I have always had cats, at our age, retired, we have had about 20. There is such a stigma to it that we will no longer adopt cats. We have tried not to declaw, but have found they do it when we are not home and at our age we simply can't afford to have furniture reupholstered every few years. Those who oppose declawing - a decision never made lightly - have to recognzie that fewer cats will end up being adopted and more put to sleep as fewer vets do it. I guess the question is, which is worse, declawing or putting the animal down in a shelter?

—maynotkeep

Declawing kittens/cats

When I rescued my first stray cat and brought her and her six kittens into my home, I had an older Shetland Sheepdog who had become deaf. She was unable to hear the warning sounds coming from Mama cat and had to pay with the loss of one of her eyes. Now, 19 years later, I still have Mama cat and 2 other cats who live with my husband, me and 2 Boxer dogs (one of which was born deaf). The cats are declawed and the dogs have all of their eyes. Having a cat with claws is not an option in our home and they are all very happy.

—Guest Karen Jerald

No declawing

Declawing is inhumane. Cats can be taught to use scratching posts very easily.

—Guest Keeta Beaubien

What may be the reason

Would any of us sacrifice his/hers fingertips for someones love? I doubt that. It is cruel and thoughtless precedure. No cat deserves that kind of treatment! Teach please not mutilate

—Guest tepyza

declawing cats

It is a horrible thing to do. What if something happens and the cat has to be outside and cannot defend itself or even climb a tree. Humans are really pathetic!!!!!

—Guest shelly

Declawing

I adopted a stray in 1996. Since I take the blood thinner Coumadin, I am prone to heavy bleeding should I get scratched. My vet had no hesitation in declawing this kitten. Better the kitten should get a good home rather than face an unknown fate. This is the second cat I have had de clawed ,and they have both lived long, happy lives, as I have done with them

—Guest Richard Wilson