Why are cats declawed?

Answer 1

Beacause they don't want scratches on them or their furneture. I know someone who's cat is 15 with NO FRONT CLAWS yet can climb their 50 ft trees.

So selfish, I know.

-Emma the 5th Grader

Answer 2

There are no good reasons to declaw a cat, except from human selfishness. The only reasons people declaw their cats is to save their furniture or legs, which can also be done safely (and without harming the cat) by training the cat to use a scratching post or activity centre and to teach the cat what is and what is not acceptable behaviour. Many cats will take to scratching posts naturally. Make it a regular habit of clipping the cat's claws using a pet nail clipper. The other alternative is to purchase something called "soft paws". These are little plastic "gloves" that fit onto each claw to stop it from scratching furniture.

Declawing is a very controversial topic, with many strong opinions. However, there is a growing concern about this procedure and the permanent damage it can do to cats. 25 countries and some states in the US have already banned declawing as it is perceived as animal cruelty: Its is inhumane and unnecessary.

Before one considers of declawing their pet, it is advisable to familiarize themselves on the facts of declawing and its possible side-effects:

Declawing is not a removal of the nails of a cat. Declawing surgery is actually the amputation of the first digit of each of the cat's toes. In human terms, it would be the equivalent of chopping off each finger tip at the first knuckle.

Claws are essential to the well-being of cats. A cat's claws, and the toes they are attached to, are important for cats for many reasons. Cats are digitigrades which means that they use their multi-functional claws everyday in many ways. They walk on their toes and use them for balance, exercising, climbing, and stretching the muscles in their legs, back, shoulders, and paws. Amputation of the last digits of the toes drastically alters the conformation of their feet and causes the feet to meet the ground at an unnatural angle that can cause back and muscle pain and Arthritis. They also use them for grasping toys, digging litter, communicating, grooming, and self-defense.

A de-clawed cat can go through profound psychological changes as well. They tend to

become either withdrawn and timid (because they feel they can no longer defend themselves), or overly aggressive. Some cats become excessive biters as they no longer have their first line of defence. A savage bite from a cat is far more painful and potentially far more dangerous than a scratch.

Declawing leads to behavioral issues such as biting and eliminating outside of the litter box, because digging litter is much too painful and a cat will associate that pain with the litter box. Sadly, these behavior problems, once developed, are often permanent.

Some cats never fully recover from being declawed and can be in pain many years afterwards. Some cats will walk and sit in an unnatural manner to minimize the pain. A cat without claws also cannot scratch and properly stretch its back, shoulder and leg muscles. This, in time, can cause stiffness, pain and eventually arthritis in their legs, hips, and spine.

Answer 3

There might be several reasons; some owners purchase a cat, but do not want the cat scratching furniture or the risk of the cat scratching others. Another, much more sadder reason is that vets (particularly in certain US states) often neuter and declaw in the same procedure, but owners are not told what declawing entails, or the possible physical or mental side-effects that can develop years afterwards because of this procedure.

Answer 4

I don't really think it's nice to have a cat be declawed, but they are declawed so they don't scratch up furniture or even worse, scratch you.

It should be noted that many vets now consider declawing a cat to be animal abuse. It's like cutting off the end of your finger to the first knuckle.

Answer 5

Because that removes its only natural self defense, and it is a painful and cruel thing to do to a cat. Once done, the cat must NEVER be allowed to go free outside. An alternative is to get scratching posts or other devices that the cat can use to care for its claws.

Answer 6

Pros for the owner:

maybe reduce damage to furniture.

Cons for the cat:

decreases the cats health and hurt its confidence. They may develop behavioral problems such as biting and stop using the litter box and you increase its chances ending up in the animal shelter. They can no longer ever be an outdoor cat because it will no longer be able to defend itself. Won't be able to stretch its muscles from a scratch post.

Please don't ever declaw a cat unless there is cancer growing on its padding which needs to be surgically removed.

Answer 7

So they don't scratch people or things.

Answer 8

People declaw cats because they don't want markings on their furniture. However, they make silicone claw tips. Do not declaw your cat! when you take out their claws, a film of skin grows over where the claws were, and when the claws grow back, it punctures the inside of their new skin