(sound byte on):
Declawing is like abortion, it's not a good thing; but,
some times it's the best choice.
I've owend may cats. Some came to me with claws, some came to me with out.
One (had to convert from in-door/out-door to in-door only) started clawing
furniture in middle age (when he was converted) and nothing could convince him
not to. The choice filnaly came down to no claws or no cat, we chose no claws.
It was tramatic for all of us. Yes they do cut the first joint off each
"finger" tip and it takes some time to heal.
This poor cat had to relearn most every thing (how to clime, jump
(actrualy how to land), play ...); but, he did adapt (took about 6 months).
Of my current cats one has claws and one doesn't. The one with claws doesn't
bully the other one.
The Top Cat on our block doesn't have claws; but, ruotienly picks fights
with other cats and wins.
ALL THE ABOVE REFURES TO FRONT CLAWS ONLY. I KNOW OF NO REASON TO EVER
HAVE THE BACK CLAWS PULLED. The front claws are for destroying furniture and
haprs. The backs are for running, jumping and shreding an apponent that has
the cat on it's back.
I would only have a cat (or kitten) declawed (fronts only) as a last resort;
but, as a last resort I would (and have) do it.
(pontification mode off)
(dismount sand box)
Ok, I feel better now. Thanks for letting me rant.
Ron
(so who gets the sand box next?)
---------------------------------------------------------------
>From: IN%"laurhot@ix.netcom.com" 5-AUG-1996 23:17:57.62
>To: IN%"eubanks@en.com" "Steven and Jane Eubanks"
>CC: IN%"harp@MIT.EDU"
>Subj: RE: Kittens
>
>You wrote:
>>
>>Have those little kittens declawed NOW. I always had outside cats
>until>this one and from some sort of sympathetic sense of naturalism
>did not have>her declawed. It is not a bad thing to do to kittens, but
>horrible for the>adult cat after they have clawed everything in sight
>and you do want to>kill the little darlings.
>
>Steven and Jane,
>
> Slightly off-topic here, but please, please don't advise people to
>declaw their cats. This is one of the cruelest "routine procedures"
>ever devised by profit-hungry veterinarians as it involves actual
>amputation of the first joint of the cat's nail sheath (read toe). It
>also leaves the cat with no defense if it does happen to get outside
>and either needs to defend itself or climb a tree or fence to escape
>danger. It's much better to begin early to condition the cat to a
>scratching post or something that serves the same purpose.
>
>Lauren
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