Dear UrbanAnimal,
A friend of mine has just adopted a six-month-old kitten and insists it should be declawed. I have tried to stop her, citing all the reasons why she shouldn't go through with this disgusting idea, but she refuses to listen. Her veterinarian has even told her that he won't declaw her cat; she'll have to find another veterinarian as he refuses to provide this procedure. Right now, as I write this, she's tracking down a veterinary clinic that will comply with her wishes. Any suggestions?
Tricia
Hi Tricia!
Thankfully, you're available to act as an advocate for this kitten! We can only hope your friend is wise enough to consider the ramifications of this horrific surgery.
Unfortunately, declawing is still legal and fairly popular in Canada and the U.S., while it has been outlawed in many European countries.
Years ago, a friend of mine adopted a cat and had her declawed before I had the opportunity to talk her out of it. Since it was to be an indoor cat, I asked how a claw-free cat could possibly defend itself should it make a dash to the outside world. Her answer: "Only her front claws have been removed. Cats use their rear claws to fight."
I found it fascinating that she didn't visualize the scenario she was describing. Yes, cats fight with their back feet, but only when they're lying on their backs. A cat on its back is obviously losing the battle. She didn't seem to be able to grasp this concept and, indeed, a few weeks later her cat bolted out the door and was never seen again. I can only hope that somebody took the cat in quickly and never let it outside again.
The idea of a declawed cat attempting to defend itself against fully-clawed cats and wildlife is just one reason why the procedure is a bad idea.
The surgery has been described as the equivalent of removing the first joint of a human's fingers. Many veterinarians feel that removal of these joints affects a cat's balance for its lifetime.
If the above still doesn't deter your friend from having her kitten declawed, Dr. Nicholas Dodman, author of The Cat Who Cried For Help, wrote: "Declawing involves more than trimming a cat's nails to the quick. It involves amputation of the tips of the digits, bones and all. The inhumanity of the procedure is clearly demonstrated by the nature of cats' recovery following the surgery. (We) see cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain. Declawing fits the dictionary definition of mutilation to a T. Words such as deform, disfigure, disjoint and dismember all apply to this surgery."
If, after reading the above, your friend still thinks her cat needs to be declawed, I can't offer you any more advice except to ask her to wait. If it's torn furniture she's concerned about, her cat may not be an enthusiastic scratcher. Honestly, some cats just don't "do" furniture - they're not as destructive as other cats. She won't know her own kitten's disposition until kitty is a little older.
Waiting will also give her the chance to discover alternatives to declawing such as using a cat scratching post (hint: spray or sprinkle catnip on it to entice kitty) or playing with her in order to use some of the energy that may otherwise be used by tearing upholstery.
There is also a product called "Soft Paws" (www.softpaws.com), which is a soft cover applied to a cat's claws. Soft Paws are intended to remain on the claws for a couple of months, then re-applied as required. Your friend's veterinarian will be able to suggest other alternatives.
Good luck! I sincerely hope your friend reconsiders. When declawing becomes illegal in Canada, cats throughout the land (and those of us who love them) will rejoice.
E-mail jacque-newman@rogers.com with a question, comment or suggestion.