While I was browsing the net I came across the cats forum on about.com. I thought it would be nice to talk with other kitty lovers about our little treasure and started participating in the discussion. On this forum it was that i learned of a practice called declawing. I have never heard of this practise because in Holland it is outlawed as in some other countries too. However in America it is still done sometimes in the same operation as spaying or neutering so you have 2 things "fixed" in one operation.
When i learned what this operation constists of i was in complete shock and was horrified. I cannot believe that some people who call themselves cat lovers can put their kitty through this mutilation. Because you see declawing does not simply remove the nail of the cat but also the first digit of the paw! I simply cannot understand this type of convinience operations! You see you can train your kitty to use scratching poles and discourage the furniture scratching. I cannot imagne cutting Ramses's first digits of, leaving her with imense pain just because i will not spend time training her.
By declawing your cat numerous things can happen:
* Kitty is obviously in pain wouldnt you be if the hacked of your first finger digits?? * Kitty cannot defend herself with claws so will most possibly become a biter. * It hurts kitty to cover her droppings in the litter used in the litter box so she might choose to do her business elsewhere.
And the list can continue endlessly.
My plight is to please train kitty into using scratching poles and provide enough for the cat to satifsfy the natural stretch behaviour and before you know it kitty will leave the furniture alone!
