Just because, as a human, we have the ability to convert an idea into action, doesn't mean we should always act out our ideas. Every human has the ability to declaw a cat, and there are no laws that prevent the declawing of a cat. Torturing and mutilating a pet cat for selfish reasons is nothing but cruel.
First, let me be perfectly clear as to what it means to declaw a cat. In rare cases, a vet rips the cat’s nails from their paws. In most cases, however, when a cat is declawed a vet cuts the tips of the cat’s toes off - as in amputated. Cutting off the tips of the cat’s toes is equivalent to amputating a human’s fingers under the knuckle nearest the fingertip. If anyone doubts what I have just typed, please call any humane society or any neutral organization that cares for animals, and ask about the process of declawing a cat.
To anyone that feels the process is harmless, please have just one of your fingers declawed. A removed human fingernail will grow back in time, and if the process is harmless, there should be no problem. In the case of an amputated appendage, I do not predict that the appendage will ever be the same, and I do not believe for one second that such a process is harmless.
A cat requires four necessities, and all actions achieve those four necessities.
The four necessities for a pet cat include:
1) Food
2) Water
3) Shelter
4) Companionship (Companionship is mostly to easily secure necessities 1-3 - after all humans are wonderful providers of food, water and shelter.)
What reasons are there for declawing a pet cat?
1) Cat shreds furniture
2) Cat shreds carpeting
3) Cat scratches people
What GOOD reasons are there for declawing a pet cat?
NONE!!!
Solutions (or alternatives) to declawing a pet cat are simple
1) Get a tall scratching post - over 6 feet (or 2 meters). A pet cat is scratching the furniture and/or rug because the cat is utilizing scent glands to create a safe living area. Scratching is not the only way a pet cat will mark territory. A pet cat may also claim safe areas by chewing and/or urinating. Cats have numerous scent glands with three of those areas being along their paws, mouth, and rectum. A cat will easily resort to securing a safe area with urination. It's always best to provide the cat with an individual safe area. A tall scratching post will provide a pet cat with an area to claim as a private, safe area. With a tall scratching post the scratching of furniture and rugs will stop.
2) Scratching fears are realistic and serious for people that bleed easily because their blood doesn't clot. A pet cat is not a demon spawn. If left alone, a pet cat has no malicious desire to scratch a human. A cat may scratch a human by mistake while playing because cats don't fully comprehend self-control. Cats are not known for leaving survivors. To avoid scratches during playtime, purchase a toy attached to a long string or pole. If the cat scratches while kneading on top of a person’s chest, simply put a blanket under the cat, wear thicker clothes, or don’t allow the cat to knead on your chest.
Please, do not mutilate your pet cat's feet. Instead, provide a loving, humane solution.
Spading or neutering your pet cat is far different from having your pet cat declawed.
ALWAYS spade or neuter your pet cat.
Copyright © 2016, John Mallozzi
