Is Declawing a Cat Cruel?

[LilyofPhilly]

IS DECLAWING CRUEL?
David E. Hammett, DVM
By Suzanne Bucciarelli
(DandyLions Cattery)

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 maimed cat, and anyone considering having the operation done to his pet should think again. People hastily declaw cats hoping to protect their furniture as well as themselves from potential scratches. It's natural for a cat to scratch, but with a little human effort, you can direct that energy so that you, your cat, and your furniture can comfortably live together.

Please read the rest here, if you care about animals, and want the facts. You can say you don't care, or you'll do what you want, or deny it's cruel to declaw a cat, but I just want to share the information.

[TruthSeeker.]

 Maybe, but I thought what he was doing to my curtains was cruel.

[AmmuJSE]

IMO, yes it is. And I would never declaw a cat.... but that doesn't mean I look down on people who do. 

As long as the cat is in a loving, caring home that feeds them....none of my business. 

[katy_kay08]

I would not choose to declaw a cat, ever.  

[Randi02]

Yep.

If people aren't prepared to deal with scratching humanely, they should be getting cats.

[MrsSamMerlotte]

Thanks for this. Declawing is horrible, I hope more people will understand

[Chris030406]

As a child, all cats I knew were declawed. My mom's, my friends'... All declawed, some were front and back.

I wanted to declaw one of ours. DH flipped.

Now, we have a polydactyl. Her extra toes, she cannot retract the claws. She sounds like she has tap shoes! I'd like to declaw just those, but DH won't let me.

[dddd2776]

Hell yeah it's cruel, that's why I will never do it to any of my cats.  My cats know not to scratch the furniture because I trained them instead of doing the convenient thing and getting them declawed.

[danie24]

I dont think I've ever saw a cat that was declawed. It is cruel, IMO

If you don't want an animal with claws.. get a fucking bird.

[masonsmommy107]

i think it's cruel if you let your cat outside at all other was they don't need them

[cassnadrajones]

Meh, I have a dog so I couldn't care less what cat owners do. However if i did and the cat was harming a member of my family I would

a.  get it declawed

b. get rid or it 

I do not put animals before people and never will.