Declawing?

[skepticalpeach]

I know this is a controversial topic and I don't want to start an argument, but I was wondering what everyone thinks about getting their cats declawed. Our local shelter won't let anyone adopt a cat and get it declawed. They even have a disclaimer that gives them the right to sue if you do. I have a small daughter so both of our cats don't have front claws. Even when I trimmed our kitten's claws he would still scratch up our daughter and destroyed our couch. Our landlords' contract also states that if we have cats the front claws have to be gone. I feel bad about giving them the cosmetic surgery, but I would feel worse if they didn't have a good home where they were fed and cleaned regularly. We left the back claws, and my hubby woke up recently when one of our cats landed on his head and scratched it open! They're kinda clumsy babies. So, what do you guys think?

[Jade59]

LOL, Spirit!!  "bite and chew nail maintenance method"  Jade uses that method also...

[spirit3]

I think I remember a product that files the nails instead of cutting them so they're smooth on the ends. Has anyone tried that? I don't think my cats would like it but there's a cat in the commercial. One of my cats prefers the bite 'n chew nail maintenance method-his are all raggedy on the ends. (this is also the plastic chewer cat)

[April2]

I think I found that out the hard way. When we got Sakura as a kitten she made a lot of little pin holes in our fairly new leather easy chair (grr).

My other cat likes to chew on plastic bags too. As soon as I get home from the grocery store and put down the bags, she starts munching away. Lol, crazy cat!

[skepticalpeach]

My cats will eat bags, strings, plastic, floss threaders, etc. We have to cover our garbage because they will get in it and eat weird things. They puke it up or it comes out in their poo. I wish they would just stick with normal food!

When our blond kitty was a kitten he clawed up the leather part of our couch. His claws were like needles, so when he was sleeping I would go clip them. They grow so fast though! I'd have a hard time doing that regularly.

[Jade59]

Speaking of clawing the furniture - claws and Water Beds do not mix! :)

[swampcritter]

You think cats claw at furniture...you should see what pet squirrels do! But that is a different forum...