The information on this page may Shock, disturb or even upset certain viewers. Please note this page I have set up to educate viewers on the disturbing facts about De-clawing your cats.

The above photo is a cat immediately after a de-clawing operation, this cat lies next to the grisly evidence of bone, claw, and fur.
(photo/caption by Discovery Communications, Inc. 1999)  
Photo Courtesy Declaw info Site

If You Love Your Cat, Don't Declaw!

I have to admit that I'd actually never heard of this until I joined with the Birman emailing group and only to find myself devastated and in  disbelief that there are people out there who would do such a thing perhaps because they are not educated enough about the consequences.

I understand for a health or medical reason that would be acceptable BUT to remove your pet cats nails for the sake of your furniture, then you should spend some time reading about the trauma this effect put your cat through.

Please read the following information and find out the risks of performing such a horrible event to the one you love. Please find this information as a teaching mechanism and not criticism!

Please please for the sake of your cat Don't De claw it's one of the cruelest things I've ever
heard.

Please say NO to Declawing your cat. This is a cruel and inhumane act. Cats are meant to have their claws like we are our fingernails, provide your cat with the correct scratching materials such as scratching posts and you’ll never have problems.

I use two old chairs and my cats know that those chairs are for their scratching while the remaining furniture remains in tact. Cats are just as easily taught as dogs, especially birmans, commanding your kitten a stern NO and squirting it with water will quickly teach your cat that NO means NO!

I have to admit that I'd actually never heard of de-clawing until I joined with the Birman emailing group and only to find myself devastated and in disbelief that there are people out there who would do such a thing perhaps because they are not educated enough about the consequences.

I understand for a health or medical reason that people don’t consider other avenues such as claw caps, BUT to remove your pet cats nails for the sake of your furniture, then you should spend some time reading about the trauma this effect put your cat through.

Please find this information as a teaching mechanism and not criticism!

Please please for the sake of your cat Don't De claw it's one of the cruelest things you can do to the one you love.

The Cat’s Claws

Unlike most mammals who walk on the soles of the paws or feet, cats are digitigrade, which means they walk on their toes. Their back, shoulder, paw and leg joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves are naturally designed to support and distribute the cat's weight across its toes as it walks, runs and climbs. A cat's claws are used for balance, for exercising, and for stretching the muscles in their legs, back, shoulders, and paws. They stretch these muscles by digging their claws into a surface and pulling back against their own clawhold - similar to isometric exercising for humans. This is the only way a cat can exercise, stretch and tone the muscles of its back and shoulders. The toes help the foot meet the ground at a precise angle to keep the leg, shoulder and back muscles and joints in proper alignment. Removal 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 pain similar to that in humans caused by wearing improper shoes.

The following information was written by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

First, you should know that declawing is pretty much an American thing, it's something people do for their own convenience without realizing what actually happens to their beloved cat. In England declawing is termed "inhumane" and "unnecessary mutilation." I agree. In many European countries it is illegal. I applaud their attitude.

Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period. And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. Wheelchairs and bedpans are not an option for a cat.

No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.

Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

I have also had people tell me that their cat's personality changed after being declawed. Although, the medical community does not recognize this as potential side effect.

Okay, so now you realize that declawing is too drastic a solution, but you're still concerned about keeping your household furnishings intact. Is there an acceptable solution? Happily, the answer is yes. A big, joyful, humane YES! Actually there are several. The following information is where you can obtain a scratching post for you cat (insert Sammy’s and funkycat furniture contact details). You can trim the front claws. (Which I have been doing to your baby, to get it adjusted to having their nails trimmed) You can also employ aversion methods. One of the best solutions I've found is Soft Paws®.

Soft Paws are lightweight vinyl nail caps that you glue on the cat's front claws. They're great for households with small children and are extremely useful for people who are away from home all day and can't exercise the watchfulness necessary to train a cat to use a scratching post. Soft Paws® are easy to apply and last about four to six weeks. They come in clear or colors--which are really fun. Now that's a kitty manicure! The colored caps look spiffy on Tabby or Tom and have the added advantage of being more visible when one finally comes off. Then you simply replace it. You can find Soft Paws® by surfing on the internet.

You need to remember, though, that the caps and nail trimming should only be used on indoor cats who will not be vulnerable to the dangers of the outdoors.

Many vets and clinic staff deliberately misinform and mislead clients into believing that declawing removes only the claws in the hopes that clients are left with the impression that the procedure is a "minor" surgery comparable to spay/neuter procedures and certainly doesn't involve amputation (partial or complete) of the terminal-toe bone, ligaments and tendons. Some vets rationalize the above description by saying that since the claw and the third phalanx (terminal toe bone) are so firmly connected, they simply use the expression "the claw" to make it simpler for clients to "understand". Other vets are somewhat more honest and state that if they used the word "amputation", most clients would not have the surgery performed! Onychectomy in the clinical definition involves either the partial or total amputation of the terminal bone. That is the only method. What differs from vet to vet is the type of cutting tool used (guillotine-type cutter, scalpel or laser).

Please find the following Links as a learning tool

NOTE: Some pictures are gruesome and may Shock! (Just think how your cat would feel)

DECLAWING
What You Need to Know. ... Written by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling.
If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. ...

DECLAWING
Declawing robs a cat of an integral means of movement and defense.

Amby's DECLAWING CATS
Issues & Alternatives includes factual information and training suggestions; how to trim nails and build scratching posts. ... Declawing! ...

Declawing! What You Need To Know. ...

The Facts About Declawing©
(Feline Digital Amputation - "Onychectomy") What You Really Need To Know. ... The consequences of declawing are often pathetic. ...

THE DECLAWING INFORMATION SITE
Immediately after a declawing operation, this cat lies next to the grisly evidence of bone, claw, and fur. ...

Declawing of Cats CFA Guidance Statement. ...
At the October 1996 meeting, the CFA Board unanimously approved a guidance statement on the declawing of cats. ...

IS DECLAWING CRUEL?
David ... humans. Remember, declawing is radical surgery that involves amputating the first joint of a cat's toes. ...

What About Declawing?
.. I'm concerned that people think - because declawing is apparently such a common practice - that it is a good and safe and reasonable thing to do. ...

Alternatives to Declawing, Nail Caps for Cats...
An Effective, Safe and Humane Alternative to Declawing! The Purrfect Solution for Problem Cat Scratching. Your Cat will Love You For It!