I'm Horrified

[Angeladeedah]

Yes, I thought it was illegal here.

I can't believe people would want to do it anyway - its horrible!! Cats were mean to have claws, if people don't want their furniture wrecked then don't buy a cat.

When I'm replacing furniture now I can't replace it with wooden stuff as it just gets shredded by Ollie - so now everything is chrome unless its too high up for them to reach.   

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I saw a freeads advert last night advertising a persian that had had the dew claws removed - based in london.  In addition, the photo they were using was off a breeders website based in Cheshire!

I've emailed the breeder as I'm sure she will have no idea about this ad.

But I'd also like to know how this cat has had its dew claws removed in this country??  What was also distatsteful was that the advertiser was stating the fact as if it was a positive

It's likely the cat had his claws removed overseas.  It is illegal to declaw cats in this country (actually outlawd by the Animal Welfare Act).  Before that act became law, it wasn't actually illegal but it was frowned upon by the rcvs and not practiced - any vet who carried out such a procedure would likely be struck off (provided they were reported!).  If the procedure in this instance wasn't carried out overseas then it must have been done before the animal welfare act.  It's not impossible that someone (probably from US or Canada as most people in this country aren't familiar with the procedure and are unlikely to ask for it) managed to find a vet who would do it.

[Mark]

Good! - I hope the seller gets in trouble. I hope she can find out how the declawing happened 

[candyshandy]

I've had a reply from the breeder and she is horrified that firstly her piccie is being used (the prefix name is printed on it) and more importantly that she may be associated with declawing.  She has put in a complaint.

[Indys Mamma]

on certain breeds of dogs the dew claw is deformed (hereditary thing) so is removed for the dogs comfort, again on other breeds the dew claw is only attached by skin and a teeny ligament and easy injured... so with many dogs a dew claw removal is for their benefit, not just the owners

[Dawn F]

I think with dogs the dew claw thing is quite normal isn't it?  on a cat though it must have been an injury surely - our bluto had to have a toe sewn back on after a nasty fight once and if it hadn't have worked he would have had the whole thing removed - fortunately it did and he was fine

[Den]

Does a cats dew claw come under "declawing"?

I only ask because it's perfectly legal for a dog to have it dew claws removed by a vet ... in fact it's a very common practice in this country, and is done to both young puppies and adults. I did a google but couldn't find anything relating to cats.

[Mark]

I think maybe a bit of investigation required  - if a vet did it here without a good medical reason, surely they would be struck off?

Bad vets do exist - I have been reading recently about a local vet that was closed down. The vet next to me testified that he dealt with horrific wounds the other vet had treated badly with infection set in etc. None of the VNs were qualified nurses and just friends so you can imagine some of the terrible things that happened 

[candyshandy]

I saw a freeads advert last night advertising a persian that had had the dew claws removed - based in london.  In addition, the photo they were using was off a breeders website based in Cheshire!

I've emailed the breeder as I'm sure she will have no idea about this ad.

But I'd also like to know how this cat has had its dew claws removed in this country??  What was also distatsteful was that the advertiser was stating the fact as if it was a positive

[sheryl]

Why dont these bloody people just buy a goldfish ????????     

[Mark]

It is scary how on some American sites they talk about it as if it is like getting their nails clipped 

A lot of American vets are to blame for this. I wonder how many people would still go ahead if they knew the facts?

[Kirst]

Its cruel and the cat gets nothing out of it except pain. If you dont want your furniture clawed , dont get a cat!

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

There are no benefits for the cat.  This link is very informative:  http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php/topic,4827.0.html

[Mark]

It is a barbaric practice that is outlawed in civilised countries and hopefully will be in America soon  - it is cruel beyond belief and causes lasting mental and physical pain for cats because of selfish owners not wanting their precious sofa scratched. It is outlawed in California but other backward states still allow this barbaric practice 

Apart from the agony of recovering from having bones chopped, they stand a very good change of developing arthritis. They are unable to do normal cat things like climbing, they are unable to defend themselves etc etc. I would love to see anyone that does it to their cat have their fingers chopped off at the 1st joint and see how they like it! 

A totally selfish, heartless thing to do - especially to a pet people claim to love 

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

No benefits for the cat at all unless surgical removal of maybe one claw for health grounds and they would have to be very serious ones in this country.

As you say its very cruel and it often causes many problems with the cat after, as no doubt you have seen in your research.

Its a thorny topic on Purrs cos most here totally abhore this practice.

[Indys Mamma]

a friend in the US asked me if I was going to get Indy de-clawed!

I didn't even know this was still done...anywhere?

I did some research and I could *never* do that to my baby, he uses his claws to stretch, play catch with his fuzzy spider and of course when climbing his cat-tree etc. He is very good about using his posts and his own mat for scratching and not us or the furniture.

What I want to know is are there any benefits for the cat, not the owner, from de-clawing?

My personal view is that I wouldn't get my dogs teeth removed because he chews on leather shoes/furniture... I would train him not to... why should my cat be different?