Declawing Cats = Mutilation.

Before I get started, I will simply lay it on the table for you. I am completely against the declawing of cats or any other animal for that matter. I do not see anything right about mutilating an animal for the sake of living room furniture. I have been wanting to mention this in class but I never found the right moment. So, here is my stance.

According to declawing.com, only Americans have adopted the idea of declawing a cat and it has only been for the convenience and benefit of the pet owner. In many European countries, such an act is deemed inhumane and is illegal. What many people do not seem to realize is that declawing a cat is a serious surgery. The claw is not like a nail; it is closely attached to the cat's bone. To remove the claw, the last bone of the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of the cat's 'toe' and it is a very painful procedure with a long recovery period. During that period, the animal still needs to use its swollen feet to walk, jump, and scratch its litter box. Cats don't get wheelchairs. Pet owners often do not see their cat is in pain because, unlike human beings, they are very independent and do not want to show weakness. It is in their nature to be prideful, and their instincts tell them to hide the situation because they do not want to lose their superiority from other animals. A cat's body is designed to give it agility and grace that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. They need them to climb trees when predators are near, to protect and defend themselves, and to scratch cat littler. When they claw furniture, they are just trying to sharpen their claws. It also exercise their claw muscles, scrapes off the old outside covering, and releases their scent. Amputating the claw alters the conformation of their feet and is depriving the cat of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors.

When I worked at the veterinary clinic (I know I bring this up a lot but it has shaped a lot of my views), the vet would only declaw the front paws. Cats would have to come in a day in advance for surgery to make sure there is no food in its body. Once the surgery is done, the cats two front legs and paws are completely wrapped up in bandages making it hard for the animal to stand. It takes a long time for them to come-to and when they do, they are given paper for cat litter. If they have normal cat litter and the litter gets into their casts, this could cause major irritation and infection. When I saw cats wake up and see what has happened to their legs, they try to remove the cats, they meow, and they knock over all of their food and liter. Pet owners have also reported a change in the cat's personality after declawing happens. However, pet owners who keep their cats indoors at all times, still go through with the procedure. But think about this: What if the cat runs away? What if it happens to go outside and needs its claws to defend itself? What if the pet owner abandons the declawed cat? How will it survive? Cats can learn. If they are given an alternative to furniture, like a scratch post, they learn to use it. There are also 'soft paws' which are plastic caps a pet owner can put on his or her cat. Personally, I just stick with the scratch post but caps are better than amputation/mutilation methods.

My question to you is: Are there any ways in which the declawing of cats can be defended? Along these lines, what is your take on amputating the tails of dogs?