Some opinions and hard facts on TENDONECTOMY (tenectomy), or incorrectly known as "declawing":

(this first article/opinion by Pamela Merritt)

Declawing is not a difference of opinion. It's simply wrong.

This is the usual way it goes. The vet suggests declawing during the spaying or neutering, claiming the cat doesn't mind. Or the cat claws furniture and the person doesn't know how, or can't be bothered, to train the cat. The claws are a potential problem, so we eliminate the claws.

The problems are just beginning.

This isn't just removing the claws. This is removing the first joint of the toes. Which happens to be what the cat walks on.

This is how cats can move so quickly and silently. Their mode of walking is known as digitigrade; walking on their digits. Walking on what is partially removed from the operation. It's difficult enough if all goes well. Nature has of way of trying to repair what has been damaged, since it is so important to the cat's survival. There's a one in three chance the cat will require further operations because of complications and poor healing.

Now the cat cannot walk normally. This throws off their exquisite balance and creates stresses throughout their whole body. This stress gets multiplied by mental stresses. Even if the cat never used their claws defensively, they knew they could. Now they know they cannot. There is a usual reaction to this.

The cat becomes a biter.

Now the person, who was either unprepared or unwilling to simply train the cat in proper scratching behavior, has a cat who doesn't scratch. Instead, they have a cat who bites and is defensive and will show more bad behavior because that is a cat's usual response to stress. People have told me, unaware of the irony of their words, that the cat was fine afterwards... except they needed to get a different litter, because the cat's paws were so sensitive to normal litter they wouldn't use the litter box anymore. That the cat acts the same... except they are more withdrawn, and don't play as much, and don't seem to come around for affection as much. But they tell me the cat didn't mind it.

Until I don't hear much about the cat at all anymore. This is the best case scenario; one in which the cat fades from their notice, a pained little shadow that lurks around the house. The rest of the time, the cat becomes more and more of a problem. If it's lucky, it winds up in the shelter. Often, they are simply dumped, with even less chance than a functioning cat of surviving out there.

Declawed cats are abandoned out of all proportion to their numbers in the population. Their new behavior problems are how they wind up in the shelter or on the street. Have you ever considered how that happens? How a cat, who has been crippled to prevent problems, winds up being such a problem their people don't want them anymore?

Wasn't the declawing operation supposed to prevent that?

Go ahead, check out Petfinder. See the symbol that shows the cat which now needs a home has been declawed? It's a purplish paw. See how often the symbols for No Other Cats, No Children, No Dogs, and other warnings show up with that damning paw symbol? I have.

This is a neurotic, crippled, damaged cat. Which nobody wants.

And somebody paid money to do that on purpose.



(second article/opinion by Ardeth Baxter)

If your doctor recommended the amputation of the first joint of each of your fingers to permanently prevent your nails from growing, would you sign up for it? Of course not. And you'd definitely look for another doctor. Yet people bring their cats to veterinary clinics every day to undergo such a mutilation. Why? Because their cats act like cats. They use the couch or rug to sharpen their claws, or they've scratched family members and visitors once too often. Declawing is a nifty solution to annoying cat behavior, right? Not at all. Declawing can, in fact, lead to more serious problems-even to your cat's death.

A woman I once worked with was haunted by a tragic accident that befell her two beloved cats when she and her husband left them alone in the house with two young dogs they had recently adopted. Her husband returned home to find the torn apart, dead bodies of the cats and their dogs sitting quietly nearby. She blamed the incident on leaving the animals alone together too soon, and on the fact that the puppies happened to be Huskies (Huskies have a reputation for acting aggressively toward cats). But the most significant fact to me was one that she wouldn't even begin to consider, for understandable reasons. Her cats were declawed. They had been deprived of their first line of defense. When the dogs cornered them, it was all over for the cats.

Declawing is a painful and difficult operation. Curiously, it's a procedure restricted mostly to North America, and many vets-to their credit-refuse to perform the surgery. Others claim that there is no physical or psychological damage from declawing, and even recommend the further mutilation of declawing the back paws. "Declawing" is a misnomer, because not only are the claws removed, but also the first joints of the cat's paws. This can lead to balance problems and an inability to cling to precarious surfaces such as trees or high ledges. Cats may be natural gymnasts, but even they can sustain fractures or internal injuries from a fall. Declawing eliminates an important means of defense, leaves the cat feeling nervous and confused, causing her to resort to biting, and can even lower her immunity to disease. As a shelter volunteer, I encountered a number of declawed cats who, to compensate for the loss of their front claws, had become aggressive biters. Many had been surrendered by the very people who had arranged for their declawing. Sadly, these cats could not be put up for adoption and had to be euthanized.

A cat bite is one of the most lethal animal bites because of the bacterium Pasteurella multocida in a cat's saliva. If you're bitten by a cat, you'll probably have to spend a few days in the hospital on IV antibiotics. In contrast, cat scratch fever, which sometimes results from being scratched by a cat, can cause fever, malaise and enlarged lymph nodes, but is not nearly as serious as the infection from a cat bite.

If the welfare of your furniture is more important to you than the welfare of your feline, I would suggest that you consider finding another home for him and adopting a stuffed animal. But if you can't bring yourself to give your cat away, there are other options, including homemade or commercial scratching posts, trimming your cat's claws regularly by clipping off the white points (your veterinarian or groomer can also do this), or investing in artificial nails that can be attached to each claw to sheath it. When administering medicine to a cat, wrap him firmly in a towel or blanket with only his head sticking out. Use an animal carrier whenever you transport your cat by car; never let him run loose and possibly panic and scratch while you're driving.

You can also train your cat not to scratch. If her claws are already attached to your skin, remain calm and disengage them by pushing the feet slightly forward. Then move the cat away with firm words of disapproval, and ignore her for a few minutes. This may have to be repeated several times before the cat gets the message.

Having pets, just like having children, is a responsibility as well as a privilege. When you adopt a cat, you're adopting the negative as well as the positive aspects of the animal. Although a cat is not a human with fur and should not be treated as such, she has unique physical and psychological characteristics that must be nurtured, not destroyed. If you're too busy to look after the best interests of a cat, or your own selfish desires take precedence over her health and safety, in my opinion you have no business sharing your house with one.

For more extensive information, see The Paw Project's FAQ page & The Cat Therapist.

I say very cruel!!!

I didn't know all those detail, but I already knew I could never do that to a cat. Thay are born with claws so they are MEANT to be there.

JUST MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION.

Thank you for posting this.

I have been volunteering in a cat rescue for a year now. There are many declawed cats that we rescued from kill shelters. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM HAD A PROBLEM! The most common problem was litterbox issues. Meaning they stopped using the litter box and started using the owner's furniture, floors, etc. Why do they do this? Because it hurts their paws to use the litter so they seek a softer surface such as blankets, etc. The next most common problem we've had in the declawed cats that come in is aggression and biting. This doesn't even cover the arthritis and other problems that can develop over a lifetime of having their toes cut off.

Declawing is illegal in nearly every civilized country in the world. Not here in north america though. It seems that here, owner's convenience and laziness reigns supreme over the well-being of the cat.

I have seen firsthand the problems and trauma this can cause. Anyone who willingly subjects their cat to this should have their own fingers cut off at the first joint and see how they like it.

I've seen the harm this does, too. For one example, when sitting for a neighbour's cat (who'd been "declawed" by her first owner about 3-4 yrs. ago, then dumped afterwards, just as you've seen in the shelter), we saw this poor girl unable to climb, being terrified of everything, every noise, etc., jumping in and out of her litterbox so fast, likely because it hurt her feet (I refused to further subject her to the hard, ribbed litterbox mat provided, so removed it forthwith!), unable to grab toys the way she obviously wanted to and seeming so frustrated with that, and not allowing me to even touch her feet on top. I did some healing work with her while she was here and we held 'paws' later on, but only with my finger lightly underneath her paw pads, so as not to touch what remained of her toes. Plus, her feet just looked wholly unnatural for a cat and she had no proper toes to grip with or curl around my finger in affection (after I'd proved myself to her....a big effort, that, for all her fears). My heart just broke for her and I made sure she felt she could 'catch' and hold on to her 'prey' (a feather from the yard, on a wand) so she wouldn't feel even worse - could have simply pulled it out from her paws, but I pretended I couldn't.

Many cats who've been subjected to this also still try to claw posts or trees, but most I've seen don't claw for as long as whole cats, perhaps because that action, too, hurts.

Were I a vet., I'd be handing out the factual literature to anyone who wanted this done, and be carrying those soft-paws claw tips, but people would have to go elsewhere for such maiming, as I'd flatly refuse to perform any such operations in my clinic. The lost revenue wouldn't be an issue at all because the only issue for me would be my own conscience. I think I'd even be asking any adamant clients when they'd be bringing in their human children to have their fingers cut off, or maybe even their mouths sewn shut, so they didn't damage their property or cause undue strain & noise around the home, either.

In the western world, we've designed for ourselves a society aimed at the convenience factor and I think it's about time we grew up and took more responsibility for what we've created....and change it, as other countries have learned to do. I actually see the blame for this laying more strictly on the vets.' heads, as all that really needs to happen is that they all refuse to do it anymore, and tell people why. No law requires them to, so why do they persist? They must think it's just fine, or can't bear to let go of any revenue. One of our vets. never did any 'declawing', cropping or docking, believing it was just dead wrong, and the other one stopped doing it, for the same reason. So what are the excuses for the rest of them?

I find that speaking "Cat Language" by turning my back to them, and pointedly ignorimg them for an hour or so to be an effective way to communicate Not Being Pleased. A harsh MEOWooo when disengaging the claws also send a message in Cat.
After all, that is what they do to us if we go away overnight. When we are gone, they show displeasure and miss us, even though a cat lover babysits them and stays here. But when we come home, we get the Cold Shoulder Shunning as punishment...for a while!

I was not aware of the "problems" declawing could cause. I do, however know it is something I would never do. I never did like it. That is their defense mecanishim. It should NEVER be done! Period!...but I must say when when my sister in law clipped Piper's nails(not declawing) the messages she gave me were quite soothing. And Arthur got me so badly once that I should have gotten stitches. I still have the scar and to be honest I hope it never goes away...Thanks for sharing ..Ann

Another good 'point' (oh, haw), Ann, if anyone's wise enough to see it. Goes to show you how there can end up being 'good' right within the 'not so good', though we may not realize it at the time. Similarly to your scar, I have a beautiful cheval (standing) mirror that was expensive when I bought it. Sabin liked to 'blackmail' us into getting up (man, SO many funny stories of his kooky methods for this!) early to give him breakie by climbing this mirror's legs if we didn't respond soon enough for his stomach. It's full of claw marks now.....and even then, I knew that one day I'd treasure those marks. They speak to his having been our beloved son, having been here with us, and leaving us with a legacy of his kookiness. Wouldn't fill them for the world! When I look at them now, my heart fills with undying love for my boy.

We sometimes had a few scratches from particularly exuberant (and most satisfying!) playtimes with our kidlets, but so what? It was nothing to get all worked up about. Treat them with some hydrogen peroxide for a couple of days and no big deal. (also a great substance to use, but cut 50/50 with purified water for any wounds or scratches they might get) I never worried much about infection. Frankly, I don't even buy into the whole 'huge' concern about cat scratch fever, either. After almost 20 yrs. of never having seen it despite getting scratched or nicked, I think people are just fear-mongering for the most part.

I even had a really good bite once from Sabin when he was young and we most foolishly took them for a walk on leashes on a public (forested) trail and an unleashed dog tried to attack our kids (and her guardian did nothing to stop her, useless woman!). I was forced into tossing Sabin onto a tree to keep him safe and he was already so terrified, he bit right through my thumb in fear, not realizing it was ME who'd suddenly picked him up from behind. I got a tetanus shot for this (the clinic doc insisted, whether it truly was necessary or not.....and NO antibiotics, as the one article suggested was usual, tho it had taken us hours to get me to a clinic afterwards) and in a week I'd healed just fine. Naturally, I never blamed my guy because a.) it wasn't his fault he was being threatened, and b.) it was a simple fear reaction. I was just SO THANKFUL nothing had happened to HIM or his SISTER!

But would people who think it's "okay" to "declaw", following their same 'logic', then also think to remove their cat's TEETH because of such an incident or the potential for same? I either wouldn't be surprised at that line of 'reasoning' from them , or if they didn't think so, I'd have to ask them, well, why NOT? what's the difference? is this different because your material possessions are even more important than your own hide? This is the fundamental question --- WHY would you do this, rather than use any other method(s) that wouldn't impair your cat's ability to remain whole and be themselves???? And what is MOST important to you in & about life? When you get to the bottom of that, there's the answer, plain as day. As Paula said, "convenience & laziness"....and I'd add disrespect &/or indifference towards another's own life. If someone wouldn't even THINK of doing the same thing to a human child, then there's no excuse that holds any real water for doing it to anyone else they claim to love. That's not love. That's self-interest, above and beyond reason. And the human race likes to think itself so SUPERIOR in intellect.....phhhttt! And as if supposed intellect is ALL there is to the bigger picture anyway.

Another simple method we used to discourage scratching was simply stopping all motion when our skin was caught in a claw, and saying "OOOWWWW! Oh, that HURTS!"....and adding the sound of crying. And I'll tell you, I only had to employ this method ONCE with Sabin (Nissa was always more careful to begin with) and he looked so startled and honestly sorry for inadvertently hurting his Mom, that he never stuck out his claws or dug them in that far again in his entire life. Same with his play-biting. Same method, same result and he ended up using the gentlest of play-bites, we could stick our fingers right in his mouth, go "GRRRRRR!!!!", waggle his head about with our fingers still in there, and never worry. They're not STUPID, after all, even though some people prefer to think so.

And of course I began regularly trimming their claws at an early age (more of challenge if you've adopted an older cat who's never had nails trimmed before, but it's still do-able if, once again, you do your research into HOW) and while it wasn't their favourite pastime, it wasn't any problem, either. However, since they were also outdoors (supervised), I never cut their nails too short, either, and always tried to maintain a bit of a natural slant to the tips, in case they needed those claws at a moment's notice to defend themselves, or climb a tree. Apparently, this also helps them walk easier, rather than leaving that blunt end that knocks their balance off a bit. So there are even "best" ways to trim a cat's claws and "better" tools to use over others. We used a large, human nail cutter, after reading and hearing about some potential problems with the animal nail trimmers.

The even bigger question about "declawing" (or any other deliberate mutilation foisted upon animals) is this: Does anyone think for even a moment, were it possible, that our kidlets would do such a thing to US on purpose??? No, of course they wouldn't, because they know how to rightly love.

Very well said. I lol about the ooooww..I've have been doing that for years. Mine is more of a high pitched sound and they stop instantly. Look at me as if to appologize, and then a little lick. I did this with a neighbors puppy and he was totally amazed how it worked. I've only done it with cats and apparently dogs have the same reaction. I also saw this done on a dog training t.v. show. I thought it was something that I had invented. Silly me.. My Piper won't go near a scratch post. That's what the couch is for, but it's old and I don't care. The bed is a different story. She knows I'll always get up for that. But, it's nothing a blanket won't cure. Declaw, NEVER!..Ann

Hi Ann,

Although our kids were incredibly well-behaved and smart about not clawing much beyond their designated 'okay' spots and items, there was just one step from our family room to the hard flooring where they both just loved to lay down for a good claw. However, easily remedied by inserting a spare piece of carpet onto the riser, just so there'd be no permanent carpet damage. But even if there had been, so what? The quality of THEIR lives would have been worth a lack of longevity in a meaningless piece of carpet that could easily be replaced, unlike THEM.

You know, there's a basic mistake even many animal lovers seem to make, and that is this - animals, just like us, are not "just" animals and somehow 'beneath' us humans. They are equally full SOULS, just like us, having a physical experience in form. There IS no difference, spiritually, between any of us, as we're all made from the same energies (all the new science says so). And for all any guardian knows, their companion, friend, baby...however we may view them....could just as easily have been a human in another lifetime, just as we could have been here in other forms before, too. So in essence, they should be treated at least as well (if not more so) as we treat ourselves, because for all you know, you could be in the company of a great, wise, powerful and mighty being who has decided to experience the physical world in the form of CAT this time 'round....and who may have come here to teach others many things, including compassion and humility.

So unless anyone wants to chop off their OWN knuckles.....