Another controversy alert!! I have a colleague, Bret Glass, who is the king of helping people and their “fully armored” (i.e. fully clawed) cats co-exist. Bret is working on 100 suggestions to help kitties keep their claws. From banana peels to his wonderful invention, the CatAWhack unit, Bret has a plan to help all cats keep their claws. That said, here are some thoughts to consider:
Declawing is an amputation – the very last bone on each toe is surgically removed. This can be quite painful. However, laser declawing is less painful and has faster healing time. Many cats do great with this.
For some people, if their cat isn’t declawed, they will get rid of it! They don’t like their furniture destroyed and they won’t get scratching alternatives. For these cats, let’s save their lives and declaw. No question!
For some people, though, their cats are king — and they get to keep their claws. The happy cat has a place to scratch. It’s good exercise, it increases flexibility, it’s a good thing.
For more in-depth information about the de-clawing controversy, ask Bret – he’s the scratch alternative guru: http://cattressmattress.com/
I am the guardian of several cats – the oldest is 15 and the youngest is 5. My husband and I also foster for several rescue organizations. My thinking is – if your furniture so important do not have any animals – pretty simple. My furniture has not been wrecked by our cats or the fosters. Plenty of scratchers and distractions. In addition, I have been part of rescuing several declawed casts that were to be destroyed because of “issues”. Luckily, the vet is a friend and I was asked to help with placement. IF, it isn’t for health reasons, do not declaw.