gallagher@nimbus.DEC (Donna M. Gallagher MRO3-2/H7 DTN: 231-2372) (08/01/85)
I have two cats who were destroying my house. I tried the scratching post route, spraying water at them, everything. They would scratch on all my furniture, the molding on my walls, my wooden steps. I found that I was yelling at them more and more and really beginning to dislike them. I'm sure they could feel this. (They are both indoor cats). I decided to have them declawed. It was the best thing I could have ever done!!!! They still scratch at my "new" furniture but never leave a mark!!! They are happy contented cats!!! They still knead, still feel they have their claws, but they don't!!! They were at the vets together for three days only, no bleeding or obvious discomfort. I had to use shredded newspaper instead of sand..............this was the biggest problem. I was afraid one of the cats was going to get a bladder infection because he would not use the newspaper. I had to force him in the box continuously and eventually he did urinate (and for quite a while I might add). But as far as declawing my cats.........it was the best thing for me and for the cats as far as I'm concerned. May I stress these are indoor cats. One of the cats was 5 years old, the other about a year. Neither one bites either. Donna (first time "writer" of the net)
tookman@endot.UUCP (Kathy Tookmanian) (08/15/85)
Larry has a good point: there are thousands of homeless cats. If someone is willing to give a cat a home, I don't think they are going to be insensitive and do something they personally feel will be detrimental to the cat. I have one cat who is completely declawed (front & back). (She is an indoor cat--the only way she's allowed outside is on a leash and supervised.) Sure, my furniture and drapes are intact. However, the main reason I chose to declaw Liebe is because I have found that cats without claws get alot more attention from both me and other people. Some friends who claimed not to like cats at all, love Liebe because they can pet her, hold her, etc without the threat of being scratched. She gets so much attention--and she loves it!! She plays with the dog without hurting him (although when she's finished playing she whacks him a couple times and he gets the message without getting scratched)!! She's very playful and affectionate and I can return the affection without worrying much (however, her little teeth seemed to get sharper!! but she doesn't use them as much). I realize that cats don't mean to hurt when they play but sometimes they get a little carried away. When she sits on my lap for a petting session and kneads her paws, I don't jump through the ceiling. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't believe it's wrong or harmful to declaw your INDOOR cat. Mine has a good life and hasn't encountered any horrible after effects of 'amputation'. If you honestly believe it's bad, then don't do it to YOUR cat(s). I have NO regrets! -kathy