fyi~ just something from the American Veterinary Medical Association official
policy on Declawing of domestic cats(below). This is from the AVMA and I would
belief it a hell of a lot more than some lady with a web site and an opinion.
"There is no scientific evidence that declawing leads to behavioral
abnormalities when the behavior of declawed cats is compared with that of cats
in control groups."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Policy statements
Declawing of Domestic Cats
(Current as of June 2005)
Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been
made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing
presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s).
The AVMA believes it is the obligation of veterinarians to provide cat owners
with complete education with regard to feline onychectomy. The following points
are the foundation for full understanding and disclosure regarding declawing:
* Scratching is a normal feline behavior, is a means for cats to mark their
territory both visually and with scent, and is used for claw conditioning
("husk" removal) and stretching activity.
* Owners must provide suitable implements for normal scratching behavior.
Examples are scratching posts, cardboard boxes, lumber or logs, and carpet or
fabric remnants affixed to stationary objects. Implements should be tall or
long enough to allow full stretching, and be firmly anchored to provide
necessary resistance to scratching. Cats should be positively reinforced in the
use of these implements.
* Appropriate claw care (consisting of trimming the claws every 1 to 2
weeks) should be provided to prevent injury or damage to household items.
* Surgical declawing is not a medically necessary procedure for the cat in
most cases. While rare in occurrence, there are inherent risks and
complications with any surgical procedure including, but not limited to,
anesthetic complications, hemorrhage, infection, and pain. If onychectomy is
performed, appropriate use of safe and effective anesthetic agents and the use
of safe peri-operative analgesics for an appropriate length of time are
imperative. The surgical alternative of tendonectomy is not recommended.
* Declawed cats should be housed indoors.
* Scientific data do indicate that cats that have destructive clawing
behavior are more likely to be euthanatized, or more readily relinquished,
released, or abandoned, thereby contributing to the homeless cat population.
Where scratching behavior is an issue as to whether or not a particular cat can
remain as an acceptable household pet in a particular home, surgical
onychectomy may be considered.
* There is no scientific evidence that declawing leads to behavioral
abnormalities when the behavior of declawed cats is compared with that of cats
in control groups.
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