I wouldn't have it done, but I want to ask; what makes declawing a cruelty?

Quote from: Rebis on April 03, 2008, 03:08:29 PM

I wouldn't have it done, but I want to ask; what makes declawing a cruelty?

because it makes your fingers look kinda weird. 

Quote from: ell on April 03, 2008, 03:21:12 PM

Quote from: Rebis on April 03, 2008, 03:08:29 PM

I wouldn't have it done, but I want to ask; what makes declawing a cruelty?

because it makes your fingers look kinda weird. 

I'm going to declaw you pretty soon.

It is kind of like cutting off the tips of your fingers to the knuckle (thats what they do). There are a range of  potential complications of the surgery. It can ruin a cats balance, affect their muscle development, stops them from being able to stretch properly, result in back problems, paw sensitivity, tendon problems...(my link earlier talks more about these).  Essentially you are giving them a disability. It can also result in psychological problems.

Quote from: NickSister on April 03, 2008, 04:56:09 PM
It is kind of like cutting off the tips of your fingers to the knuckle (thats what they do). There are a range of  potential complications of the surgery. It can ruin a cats balance, affect their muscle development, stops them from being able to stretch properly, result in back problems, paw sensitivity, tendon problems...(my link earlier talks more about these).  Essentially you are giving them a disability. It can also result in psychological problems.

well that's just damned disgusting.

There are times it would be nice to de-tooth our cats. They chew holes in the complex-bought and hung blinds!!

Of course, that would be even more disgusting. So, before we move we'll just buy new blinds and leave them.

N~

If you declaw a cat, you will leave it defenseless. The cat won't be able to climb a tree or even defend itself against other animalsl. If it happens to become an outside cat, it won't be able to catch it own food or prevent others from takeing it from them. People think that they will get this cute little kitty and keep it inside. So, by advice from some idiot, they get it declawed and then the cute little kitty is a full grown cat that just sits around the house and so they get tired of it and either kick it out or send it to the humane society and they send it out to some innocent person and that person lets it outside and it runs a way. I have seen many scenarios on this subject. I volunteer at our humane center.
Sheila

Okay.  I'm just going to come out and say it - some of you people know too much about cats.

Well many declawed cats can still climb trees since they leave the claws on the back feet.  But I still hate the idea.  I have to admit, though, that the scratches I have on my body from cat claws do sometimes make me want to rethink all of it.  I have a Bengal cat, which is part Asian Snow Leopard.  He is the sweetest kitty imaginable.  But he does need to have his running and climbing space, and hates to be cooped up all day.  He is neutered and loves to climb in our trees.  He keeps losing collars that way, though.  Afterward, you can usually find him coiled around one of our feet in bed.  While it might not be accurate to say that I am an animal in bed, I do usually have one to snuggle with.  My other kitty would be very content to stay inside all of the time.

Kristi

Its just gone 8am.....I got up, three cats on my bed.

Went downstairs, filled the food bowls, opened the back door and let them out in the garden.

Got a cup of tea and some breakfast, went back to bed.

Its 8.15am and I now have 3 cats curled up sleeping on the bed.

Perhaps I should let my cats vote in the poll.

Buffy (and the cats Buffy, Aaron and Willow)

Quote from: Rebis on April 03, 2008, 03:28:34 PM

Quote from: ell on April 03, 2008, 03:21:12 PM
because it makes your fingers look kinda weird. 

I'm going to declaw you pretty soon.

Ahem.

My cats could still climb trees, though perhaps they were not as adapted to getting down them, but they (somewhere around 8 in my life, four pairs) never got beat up and they roamed in a rural and suburban areas.  Declawed cats are a lot easier to move with, and I understand that a huge reason for people giving up their pets is that they had to move to a place where they could not keep them in their new place.

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 04, 2008, 09:52:52 AM

Quote from: Rebis on April 03, 2008, 03:28:34 PM

Quote from: ell on April 03, 2008, 03:21:12 PM
because it makes your fingers look kinda weird. 

I'm going to declaw you pretty soon.

Ahem.

Uh oh.  I don't think Lisbeth wants me to declaw Ell.   Maybe I'll just tie her outside for a while.  I've gotta do something.  Ell is entirely uncontrollable.


Anybody looking for a new pet?   

Quote from: Rebis on April 04, 2008, 11:50:14 AM

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 04, 2008, 09:52:52 AM

Quote from: Rebis on April 03, 2008, 03:28:34 PM

Quote from: ell on April 03, 2008, 03:21:12 PM
because it makes your fingers look kinda weird. 

I'm going to declaw you pretty soon.

Ahem.

Uh oh.  I don't think Lisbeth wants me to declaw Ell.   Maybe I'll just tie her outside for a while.  I've gotta do something.  Ell is entirely uncontrollable.

Anybody looking for a new pet?   

You can take your hands off of my property.  If anyone is going to declaw her, it will be me.   

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 04, 2008, 03:09:00 PM

Quote from: Rebis on April 04, 2008, 11:50:14 AM

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 04, 2008, 09:52:52 AM

Quote from: Rebis on April 03, 2008, 03:28:34 PM

Quote from: ell on April 03, 2008, 03:21:12 PM
because it makes your fingers look kinda weird. 

I'm going to declaw you pretty soon.

Ahem.

Uh oh.  I don't think Lisbeth wants me to declaw Ell.   Maybe I'll just tie her outside for a while.  I've gotta do something.  Ell is entirely uncontrollable.

Anybody looking for a new pet?   

You can take your hands off of my property.  If anyone is going to declaw her, it will be me.   

uh oh, again.  Okay. She's yours.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize.

At least I don't have to worry about my furniture anymore.  heh heh

Quote from: Rebis on April 04, 2008, 04:03:52 PM
uh oh, again.  Okay. She's yours.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize.

At least I don't have to worry about my furniture anymore.  heh heh

That's better.

C'on, Ell.  I got you a new scratching post.

Quote from: Lisbeth on April 04, 2008, 04:37:13 PM

Quote from: Rebis on April 04, 2008, 04:03:52 PM
uh oh, again.  Okay. She's yours.

I'm sorry, I didn't realize.

At least I don't have to worry about my furniture anymore.  heh heh

That's better.

C'on, Ell.  I got you a new scratching post.

meow?

I see no problem with a cat living its life indoors, especially as it is much safer staying inside. Also, I feel that if a cat never goes outside then it really has no concept of "outside" and so will not really miss it or long for being outside. That being said, a cat which has lived outside for some time may be somewhat unhappy if confined to a small apartment, but then you have to weigh the happiness it might have being outside sometimes with the risk of it being hurt or killed in its outdoor environment...

I have two cats, I let one out and keep the other one in. It has to do with their ages and personalities and my gut feelings about their risk taking behavior and chances for survival. I may let the younger one out at some point depending on my feelings at the time.

I see no problem with a cat living indoors if it wants to.