Dear Cathy, I have two cats and have had multiple cats over the last 40 years. All of the cats were adopted at a young age from the local shelter, and a few were taken in from other sources. I had a grand total of nine cats and they were never allowed out of the house and I declawed all of them.
I don't want any of them playing together and, at times, they tussle with more aggressiveness than I prefer. They don't need the claws to live a normal life as an indoor cat and it eliminates the damage they can do to our furnishings or to each other. People that are opposed to declawing are overzealous with the opinion that it is cruel and unusual treatment.
If this practice is outlawed in all states, I believe cat ownership will decline. The declawing is for the benefit of the cat the same way neutering and spaying is. — John K.
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Dear John, You didn’t mention your city and state, so I am not sure where you are writing from, but in many parts of the U.S. declawing is increasingly considered an unnatural and harmful practice for cats.
The opposition to declawing is not about being overzealous but rather about the increasing awareness about cat welfare. Many veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and pet owners who advocate against declawing do so out of concern for the long-term physical and emotional health of cats. Here’s why.
Declawing involves amputating part of the cat’s toes, which can cause immediate and long-term pain and discomfort. In .
