[Ellie May]

I would not declaw a dog because it is completely inappropriate medically. If it was like declawing a cat, then I wouldn't be totally against it (although with dogs there is way less of a reason to).

We have had lots of cats also. I used to (when I was really young and didn't get direction to be more careful) overhandle them and get scratches all over myself. Now I realize how dangerous that is. If I was so inclined to handle my cats excessively now and they didn't like it, then yes, I would consider getting rid of the claws. There are things that do need to be done to keep them healthy, and if they were going to claw my arms to death while doing it, then I'd get rid of the claws. I don't see it as being the end of the world. As for dogs and dewclaws, both of mine have them and I hate them. Not going to go removing them (bc they are adults) unless they are causing a problem for them, but if they were causing a continuous problem, they would be removed.