Declawing a cat.

Julianne - posted on 08/27/2011

I got mine for 10$,

Julianne - posted on 08/27/2011

Marina, pedipaws works for filing the cats nail. It makes them blunt and its just a quick as clipping.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

I just thought your question was irrelevant to the debate. You asked me where I was from and on this forum we have people all over the world. I asked you questions specifically on the debate and questions related to your answers. You are not going to answer? That's fine, it will tell me a lot anyway ;)

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

Still waiting for some answers... If I can't get them from your professional experience (10 years?) then tell me it's just you personal point of view. you never answered me: are you against debarking dogs? and again, how many people with autoimmune disorder have been in the clinic you work in for only that reason to have their cat declawed?

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/27/2011

But it shouldn't be offered with a spay or neuter, don't do it preventively, not 'just cuz' it needs to be the vets job to back up the cats rights as much as possible and only declawed if it's the only option. And better yet,general public knowledge on cat behavior so people know what they're getting into if they buy a cute kitten.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/27/2011

Or they could have a baby like my friends son who is severely low immune system. Now I believe they gave their cat to a friend because they felt declawing was mean but if they had no one to take the cat they may or may not have chosen to declawed it or surrender it to a shelter.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Once again Iris, you are simply picking certain points to address. Just like you never answered my European question, and now the point about autoimmune people with cats. Ignoring my other points. Fine. That is how you want to debate this topic. I will answer.



I have known countless patients that were die hard cat lovers that became diabetic. A cat scratch can make them extremely ill, even hospitalized or death. Especially when they are going the the very delicate process of stabilizing their insulin, and that can take months...or longer. Good enough answer? Then their are people like Kate Capeheart (hope you don't mind me using you as an example, so truly sorry if you do) who worked as a vet tech and discovered she had an auto immune disorder BECAUSE she was either bit or scratch...I cannot remember which. You can think it is an unreasonable argument all you want. It is a true scenario that happens more often than you would realize.



Edited to change name to correct person...sorry

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

You are awesome Laura! It really is hard to see another side. I am really impressed with you. I know how hard it was for you to take a minute, walk away (like you said you did) think about it, and change perspective. DM has actually done that for me a couple of times. I like how a good argument can make you self reflect, and I am the same way as you described yourself.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

I know that they don't have many teeth. I have had cats all my life. They grow old lose teeth and you have to put them on different diet.
Now how many people have you met in your lifetime as working with vets that have had autoimmune disorder? I between one or four the most? Is that a reason enough to keep declwing legal? or should we make it illegal with an exception in such matter? I'd go for the latter.

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/27/2011

I am stubborn, and my opinion is not easily swayed but I am here trying to learn! I'm not here just to kick back and relax, I really want to learn so when I debate I'm open to changing sides, or just gaining understanding. I'm not stubborn enough to back my opinion into a wall when honest arguments have good points.
Open minds people, open minds

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

See what Laura said? She is the individual that actually stepped outside of herself, and attempted to see what I was saying....and now gets it. She does not like it, but gets it. Thank you Laura for opening your mind.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

You cannot figure that out? "Still waiting on how you compare castrating rapists to declawing.... "



Edited to add quote

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

And I am a good owner. You can personally attack that any way you want, and continue to give your silly comparisons.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

Still waiting on how you compare castrating rapists to declawing....

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Actually, the front teeth in a cat are fairly useless. If you have a cat, go look at its incisors. They are pretty much for nothing. Cats have VERY few teeth in there mouth. There Canines are the most important, and their largest molers for shredding.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Iris, have you been keeping with this thread in its entireity, or are you just debating with me what you are currently reading from me? If you have read this thread entirely, and yes I know it is long....you will see that I do not like declaws done as a routine willy nilly procedure. That I believe that there are circumstances that it is best for the animal and people, especially when abandonment or Euthanasia may occur. Or how about when someone has a cat, discovers they have an autoimmune disorder, and a cat scratch can be lethal. There are many reasons I feel declawing is acceptable. But I am not 100% for it, or 100% against it. I have said this throughout the entire thread.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

someday a cat will have lesser teeth too, but with a good owner it will still have it's claws :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 08/27/2011

I think declawing is one of those necessary evils for America, Americans need the option sometimes but i think vets should refuse as much as they can, teach owners, train the people, and in general teach Americans to livevwith cats as they are.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

LOL, well I wouldn't think pulling an entire mouth full of teeth would be a likely comparison. I was comparing it to something in reality. Also, I mentioned circumcision. That is the closest thing IN REALITY that is done to people on a regular basis without the direct consent from the individual that it is being performed on. THAT is the closest comparison IMO.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Not every cat heals the same after a declaw. That would be like saying you and I are gonna have the exact same surgery, and heal the exact same way. Not so. Most cats....most heal fine without any sensory issues in their paws. Some have problems. It really depends on the technique the doctor uses, and surgical equiptment, also how they close and bandage...and how long they are bandaged for. There are many factors that can determine the outcome of the procedure. But like I said, most heal without any problems.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

"I am sure if your husband started acting like a wild animal with his teeth, you may reconsider pulling them. He is a civilized human (hopefully ;)). When men abuse and rape people with their dicks, they are often chemically castrated. THAT would be a better example IMO."
.....you are comparing this with what?? A cat scratching on a sofa? ruining your furniture?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

That is fine and dandy about your friends and vet. Kudos to them. You don't agree with me, and I can accept that. I don't agree with you either.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Someday, I may have no teeth. That is a reality, and a fact of life. I do not see this as an equal comparison. I would see circumcision an equal comparison.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

I am sure if your husband started acting like a wild animal with his teeth, you may reconsider pulling them. He is a civilized human (hopefully ;)). When men abuse and rape people with their dicks, they are often chemically castrated. THAT would be a better example IMO.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

To me it's about this: If you want a cat, take it with the claws. If the claws need to go then get a fish, hamster or a dog.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

But my husband can survive if I have him pull out his teeth, he just wont be as comfortable......(just going back to the beginning of my debate). How would you feel without your teeth, not because you had to but because someone decided it would be ideal?

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

ok, with so many people saying how sensitive their cats paws were afterward, and personally knowing 3 people that declawed their cats and regretted it, reading about it and having my personal vet being against it...... I still don't agree with you.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Fish actually need fins to swim around, pushing water through their gills to breath. It is not the same thing Iris. Not even close. They lose part of their fins, they are not going to be as efficient swimming.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Yup. I do. I have seen it. I have lived with it. I have witnessed cats before and after declaws, and have seen them act the same once healed, as they were before they got declawed. My cats were 1 1/2 to 2 years old when they had it done. They were already established in their personalities. They were the same.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

How do you feel about debarking surgery for dogs?

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

Not if you just take one or two fins? I'm sure they can. They just wont be as mobile as they used to... Do you think cat's can be their normal self without their claws?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

It does matter. Where in New Hampshire are you? If you want to PM me (if you don't feel comfortable posting it in here) or not at all if you feel uncomfortable with me knowing.

Sherri - posted on 08/27/2011

If it matters....NH

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Well, a fish cannot survive without fins, a cat CAN survive without nails.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

So we are back to what I already said. If we can't take them as they are and what's in their nature, then why even get one? Get a hamster or a gold fish......no need to pluck the fins off.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

I have made one person see it from a different angle in here. I have had one person say they understand why someone would choose declawing over euthanizing. That is good enough for me. I got through to one mind in here. If I get through to another great. If I don't, my efforts are still a triumph.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Well, you made it sound like I confused you, by saying I am all over the place and not making sense. Once again, it is fine that you don't agree with me. I was responding to your posts, maybe I was wording them so my posts were difficult to follow. The questions you were asking and comments led me to believe you did NOT hear me "loud and clear".

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

Marina, your point is not puzzling at all. I got your point loud and clear, and I have mine. I'm not puzzled about anything you said, I'm a rather smart person. I get what you are saying but I STILL don't agree with you.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

I am just trying to give the perspective from another view. To try and help people understand the truth, instead of articles like this that are strictly meant to scare people, and make them advocates for something that they are not getting both sides of the argument.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Yes, Sherri, no one has to agree with me. This is a debate about declawing. That is what I am doing. Sherri, you never told me where you live? I cannot remember.

Sherri - posted on 08/27/2011

I have to agree with Iris on this one. I have already stated you did what you did because you were doing what you thought was best. However, that does not have to mean I have to like the procedure and be okay that it is not illegal. I am happy at least though that it is becoming socially unacceptable more and more.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

And I am an American, who has worked in American Vet Hospitals, I do not live in Europe, nor have I ever, so how can I speak for European Culture?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Not really Iris. European cultures are different than American. In so many ways. Are you in Europe?

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

So since you do not work in Europe we can exclude them? No matter that no less or more cats are put down over there? I'd have thought it to be a bit of an eye opener. But if you want to put your blinders on and continue to argue your point... go ahead.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

You can call bullshit all you want, I feel you are not listening cause I keep having to repeat myself. I was giving examples of all the things that they have no choice on. They were all examples on what the humans decide to make a good quality of life for the pet. Animals have absolutely no say about anything. We make all the decisions concerning their well being. I didn't realize my point I was making was so puzzling.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

How come that every time people don't agree with you they are not listening? I've read your post, I do not agree with your reasons. I hear you fine, but I don't agree with you. Saying that your choosing of litter and food is the same as choosing to declaw...... everyone can call a bull shit on that one.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Which part do you need me to clarify?

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

???? Not really, I am responding to your posts.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 08/27/2011

Nope, it is all a part of owning a pet and making life decisions for them. Cats would prefer to be outside burying their poop and pee rather than indoors in a box.

Iris - posted on 08/27/2011

You are all over the place... and not making much sense.