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To Declaw or not to Declaw

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sassythere is quite a controversy among cat owners, vets, and animal rights groups regarding this issue.  i have never declawed any of my cats because the procedure was just too expensive.  and now, armed with all the facts, i wouldn’t do it anyway. 

my aunt had most all of her cats declawed back in the day when it wasn’t such an issue.  her cats never had any problems, side effects, or drama from the procedure. 

but, there are many cats who do have issues from the procedure.  please go here: 

http://www.21cats.org/health.html#d

and read their take on this.  this is great information on this topic and i think everyone should go into this thought process armed with the right information.

if you have really nice stuff and don’t want it dorked up and are really anal about your really nice stuff, then don’t get a cat.  sorry, but your pet is part of the family. 

if you’re willing to work with the cat to KEEP your stuff from getting dorked up, that’s fine.  but if your stuff is more important to you than the love and joy of a pet, then don’t get one. 

i don’t have really nice stuff because i foster and rescue cats.  they’re gonna dork up my stuff.  and that’s fine.  i can go down to the goodwill and buy another decent looking chair or whatever for 20 bucks and have no drama.  besides, they usually use ME for their scratching post so … no problem!  hahah!   the picture you see is sassy using my leg for his scratching post.  i wear sweats around the house… alot! 

if you simply have to have this procedure done…. then i advise you to find several vets and get referrals from them from their clients who’ve had this done.  if they won’t give you any referrals, or only have a few, then run, do not walk, to the next vet on your list.  they should be more than willing to do this for you. 

this is a link to a funny vid on how to make cat toys!  http://www.weheartcats.com/homemade-cat-toys/

this is a cool link about birds in your yard… i have feeders and she has several really good links to go visit:  http://www.backyardbirdingblog.com/figuring-out-what-birds-are-in-your-area/


One Response to “To Declaw or not to Declaw”

  1. Chuck Hinson Says:

    Deb, you’ve got a VERY cool site here … hope LOTSA people read it and get some ideas about how to handle their whiskerlickers!!
    Saw on your previous blog (btw, thanx for the props! It IS a good gig …) where you’re really not into fried feline (or a 115V CATastrophe).
    Nearly been there m’self! My Supercat, Dudette (faster than a speeding pullet, more powerful with a local motive, able to leap tall catpans with a single meow), loved to chew on my TV cord.
    I stopped her with some Cat-A-Way stuff, but THEN she reverted to unplugging it … not when the BAD shows are on, natch; only when my FAVES were!
    Actually, I nearly lost a cat, sixteen years ago, to the ” ‘lectric chewies”. I now (a) spray the cord with Cat-A-Way, (b) bend the prongs a little to keep the plug “in” when I’m watching, (c) unplug it when I’m not, (d) rattle some newspaper (actually, my nerves will do at that point) when she’s near it, (e) give her something to substitute: a toy, an old shoelace or something, or (f) pay the neighbor’s dog mnimum-wage to come by and stand guard at the outlet.

    Seriously, though: I learn a lot from your site. Keep up the excellent work, young’un!

    Chuck

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