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Path: utzoo!watmath!sunybcs!kitty!larry
From: larry@kitty.UUCP (Larry Lippman)
Newsgroups: net.pets
Subject: Kitty speaks out on declawing cats...
Message-ID: <163@kitty.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 27-Jul-85 22:43:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: kitty.163
Posted: Sat Jul 27 22:43:57 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 28-Jul-85 15:11:53 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: Recognition Research Corp., Clarence, NY
Lines: 65


	Well, I have watched this discussion about declawing cats with interest
and now feel it's time to stick my 2 cents in...  I should like to point out
that my observations and comments are not without some qualification - my wife
and I are cat fanciers and presently share our home with ten of the furry little
suckers.  In fact, that is why my uucp site name is 'kitty'.
	There is only one valid reason to declaw a cat - protecting one's home
furnishings from destruction.  It is a natural instinct in *all* cats to 'claw'
for the purpose of exercising and sharpening their claws.  Some cats can be
'directed' to use a scratching post and some cannot.  No amount of training,
cajoling, and/or punishment has ever worked to change the mind of any cat we
have ever had who *insists* about using anything other than a scratching post.
After fighting this issue with our first three cats for about two years, we
had them declawed (front feet only).
	During their postoperative recovery period (about 10 days) the cats
did experience some minor bleeding and distress, but all rapidly healed without
complication.  These cats subsquently engaged in their normal routines with no
impairment.  They in fact will 'scratch' at furniture, but will obviously cause
no harm (they still *think* they have claws).  In no way does their lifestyle
seemed hampered by the loss of claws.  I must point out, however, that these
cats are INDOOR cats and are never let outside.
	We have subsequently had three additional cats declawed as they were
added to the 'family', also with no adverse consequences.  The cats play and
fight amongst themselves just fine.
	Now here is an interesting observation: one of the above cats is an
outdoor barn cat several years old whom we decided to 'retire' to the good
indoor life.  This cat was simply not happy being indoors all of the time, and
so we decided to let it out at will.  This cat was a real hunter prior to being
retired, and while it was not intended to let her roam outside to hunt again,
in *NO* way was her hunting ability impaired after being declawed!  You would
not believe how prolific she remained in catching mice and birds...
	If you consider the methods by which cats fight and defend themselves
you will find: cats fight using their teeth first, their REAR claws second
(while lying on their side or back) - with use of their front claws a third
priority.  I do not believe that the loss of a cat's front claws seriously
dimishes their ability to defend themselves.
	Cats do not claw furniture with their rear claws - only their front.
THERE IS NO REASON to ever have a cat's rear claws removed!
	Our other four cats are 'outdoor' cats who do not cause a problem when
they are allowed to visit indoors; they have ample outdoor activity to satisfy
their clawing urges!  These four cats are, of course, not declawed.
	So my bottom line is: if you have cats whose lives are spent indoors
for most or all of their existence, I can see no reason not to have them
declawed IF you are having a destruction problem.  If you are not having a
problem, then there is no reason to have them declawed.  If your cats are
outdoor cats for most of their existence, then I would advise against having
them declawed; besides, they probabaly won't be inclined to claw anything when
allowed indoors anywhow.
	A WORD OF CAUTION: Removing a cat's claws requires a significant
amount of surgical skill - which quite frankly not all veterinarians have.
A poorly performed surgery may result in unremoved claw tissue causing a
regrowth of the affected claw - much to the discomfort of the cat and requiring
additional surgery.  I would make certain that I had confidence in the
veterinarian performing the surgery.

	Larry Lippman
	Recognition Research Corp.
	Clarence, New York
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