17May/116
How many Americans still get their cats declawed and why? And why don’t vets just refuse to do it?
In the UK, thankfully it is illegal. However, I find it astonishing that there are people on here that think it is acceptable to have a cat declawed, even if it isn't against the law.
So in countries like the US, does there need to be better education on this barbaric practice? And shouldn't vets just be refusing to carry out the operation.
Give me your thoughts
May 17th, 2011 - 17:54
its no more barbaric then a circumcision and if they are inside cats then they dont need claws
May 17th, 2011 - 18:48
Some vets do refuse to declaw. In some areas it is illegal. I no longer believe in declawing. I would only consider it if it was the only way to keep a cat out of the shelter.
May 17th, 2011 - 19:42
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Perhaps if Americans saw a photo of a human being’s hands amputated at the last joint side by side with that of a corresponding physiological image of a cat’s declawing, they might think twice.
By the way, ritual genital mutilation of a female can be done by more-or-less secret appointment with an agreeable surgeon both in the U.S. and the U.K. Both operations are horrifying and unacceptable and should be just as outlawed as traditional “mob” retaliations as the cutting off with hedge clippers or cleavers of non-paying debtors’ fingers.
Yes, I’ve thought about it.
May 17th, 2011 - 20:31
I am not sure how it is in the U.K. but here in the United States “most” rentals do not take cats, and if they do, they require the cat to be declawed and to stay indoors, especially in apartment settings. Sad, but it forces people who love their cats to make the tough choice. So many cats get euthanized in the shelters so that is just about out of the question for most people so they opt to have the surgery done. Veterinarians offer this service because they know it is needed by these people trying to keep their pet and home their family at the same time. I am sure there are vets that refuse, but I have never run into one… Most do advise against it though unless it is a dire situation in which the cat will have to go to a shelter or a new home if not declawed. Many vets here WILL refuse to do back claws though thankfully because the cat needs the back claws in order to defend itself if the need arises and to help it balance when it jumps up on things. Hope this helps =-)
May 17th, 2011 - 20:43
A lot of people view animals as animals, and as such, lower than human beings. It is nearly impossible to change those people’s point of view, even if you show them exactly what is done, and that “declawing” is an incorrect labeling of the procedure. To be technically correct, it is an amputation – however, people who view animals as lesser (if it serves to benefit them, then it is okay for animals to be put through this procedure). In this senario a cat who claws up furniture is more easily dealt with by claw removable and is therefore “declawed”, because it is easier for the human, and doesn’t harm them (the human) at all. This way of thinking is sad, but true. However, if it means saving the animal’s life and doing it for a better quality of life (i.e. habitual scratcher wounding itself beyond healing, or a fungus requiring removal of some claws) I think it is ok. Why do I think this? My Grandma had cancer in her leg, they could save her life, but they had to amputate her leg. Her quality of life might not be as good as it was when she had both legs (pre-cancer) but it sure beats the alternative. Hopefully in the UK “declawing” for medical reasons is still legal, because I would hate for an animal to be put down when there is a slightly better alternative.
But do I think there needs to be better education? Perhaps before getting the procedure it should be required that all pet owners be shown diagrams or w/e of what exactly takes place and then be given alternative solutions. However, I think it is too much to ask for some people. “Declawing” is the easy fix for the human, and no matter how much you educate people – unless this is made illegal it will still be done by those who want to do it.
My vet does refuse to “declaw” for any non-medical reason. I think you under estimate how many people in the US are actually against this procedure too, and probably under estimate how many people in the UK would “declaw” their cat if it weren’t illegal. Ignorant and selfish people are everywhere.
May 17th, 2011 - 21:36
Anybody who mundanely has a cat declawed – is someone I put on my mental list as a ‘Narcissistic Personality Disorder Best To Avoid.’ It’s really creepy. I would of course avoid a Vet. who declaws cats. Cats are living beings – not toys.