DECLAW

Many cat owners, who genuinely love their pets, have no idea what declawing means to their animals. Declawing means far more than leaving your pet defenseless against an attack.

It means:

The severing of ligaments and tendons that bring excruciating pain.
The creating of an imbalance that can lead to injury.
A change in personality and temperament.
A formerly friendly cat may become very cautious and growl and bite.

It means you, as a cat owner, have renounced the responsibility you assumed when you fell in love with that kitten or cat.

How Important are a cat's claws?

Dr. Louis J. Camuti, a practicing veterination for 58 years, puts it this way:

"I wouldn't declaw a cat if you paid me $1,000 per nail!"

Have you often wondered at a cat's remarkable grace and agility, it's faultless sense of balance? To a great extent, this is due to it's ingeniously designed retractable claws that allow it to establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing or stretching.

What happens to a cat when it is declawed?

First, it awakens from anesthesia, with it's feet throbbing under the bandages; next, it has pain and then it finds it has trouble walking.

The physical effect of declawing is gradual weakening of the muscles of the legs, shoulders and back. Balance is impaired. Emotionally cats feel defenseless and thus live in a constant state of stress, making them more prone to disease.

Despite it's grace, a cat is not sure-footed. Without the lightning-quick ability to grasp with it's claws, it can easily be injured in a fall.

Deprived of it's claws, a cat may turn to it's only other form of defense -- it's teeth. It is fairly common for a declawed cat to become a biter. They do this out of fear and frustration

Why do people make their animals suffer the physical pain and emotional disorientation of declawing?

"To protect the furniture," is the most common reason. "To keep my cat from scratching us when we try to play with him," is another.

Scratching is a normal characteristic of a healthy cat. It exercises the foot muscles and removes dead tissue from the nails. It also has a soothing, comforting effect that creates a tranquil disposition.