Declawing: Is It Good or Bad?
By Kathryn Yen
Cat breeders, owners and lovers all over the world have debated this question – should we or shouldn't we declaw our indoor cats? Some claim it to be a cruelty; others contend that it is not a problem. Which is right?
Ultimately, it is up to you as the cat's owner to judge whether or not declawing is something you want to do. I would simply like to lay out my reasons for thinking the way I do about this issue.
Just think about it; how many cats would be homeless if we never declawed them? The owners get frustrated with torn curtains and ripped up sofas, and abandon the cats out on the street. This sounds harsh, but its true. There really are people out there who just dump their cats off on the side of the road. Why do they do it? Because they are sick of their cats destroying their furniture! Now, if cats were declawed, the furniture is safe, which equals happy owner, happy cat. Most cats don't even notice the difference between when they had claws and when they didn't; they still rub their paws on the scratching post as if they had claws.
Do you see how declawing is best in the end? What do you think a cat would pick if he had a choice: no claws, but living in a warm, comfortable home with loving owners, or having claws, only to have to use them for defense in the wild when he is thrown out by an irate owner?
Our cats are declawed only in their front paws, leaving the back ones just in case they get out and have the need to climb a tree. Back claws tend to not be much of a problem, as it is mainly the front ones that are used destructively on furniture, and we just keep their back claws trimmed so they are not an issue. It is best to declaw cats when they are kittens, though it is possible to declaw an older cat. If you are planning to declaw your kitten, but leave the back claws in, it is best that from the beginning you start "massaging" your kitten's paws. This gets them used to having their paws handled, so that when nail-trimming time comes, they don't fight you when you try to trim their claws.
So, here's to scratch-free furniture!
Kathryn Yen is the eldest daughter of David and Annette Yen. She resides with her younger sister Tara, as well as three very cute cats. Kathryn is the author of the children's book, A Tale of Tails.