Originally Posted by chachi (Post 3723963)

All this lasting pain cats have and then not using the litter box because of the declawing I sorry i just didnt see it with my cats and I had 5 of them declawed. They lived happy healthy indoor cat lives. Thats all I have to say. I dont think someone is selfish either because they dont want their furniture clawed up. There are alot of cats in shelters so do I think it is better for them to live a declawed life or end up euthanized at a shelter yes I do.

Originally Posted by SweetLifetime (Post 3724007)

So, let's apply the same logic to other situations. I too have had 5 cats. None of them ever got cancer. So using that logic, cats never get cancer right? ;)

I'm sure your cats are fine and they are well-loved in a good home. I'm definitely not implying otherwise. But just because they got through the de-clawing okay doesn't mean it's not common for cats to have issues. It just means yours are lucky.

Originally Posted by Britster (Post 3723912)

Lol, if dogs were supposed to have docked tails, they would be born with them docked, right?

We humans decided dogs need docked tails. And back then, it WAS for a reason. Terriers went under and hunted vermin and the tails would get in the way or a rat could bite onto it, etc. Makes sense back then. How many of us today are breeding Yorkies to be ratters? I am assuming, like, none. I just would only do certain things for a reason.

I don't really care about people who choose to do things to themselves. I don't have any piercings or tattoos, but I have nothing against those who do. They chose to do it to themselves and that's all fine with me, I'm pretty open minded.

It's not really even so much that the animals don't "get a choice" or anything, because they are animals... and pets... they don't really get a choice about a lot they do. We choose what they eat, when they eat, when they potty, etc, so it's not really even about that to ME. I just find certain procedures completely unnecessary, it's kind of like, why even bother? I find spaying and neutering, for example, to be necessary in the society we live in. Others don't spay and neuter their pets, and I am fine with that, so long as they are responsible with it. There are health benefits to leaving in tact as well.

But, just because I don't like tail docking, doesn't mean I won't own a dog with a docked tail. I happen to like a lot of terriers, who often have docked tails, but I will do my best to have my next dog have his tail just out of personal preference. I do get that we as humans care about cosmetics. I wouldn't own or seek out a dog that I find to be unattractive, I am admitting that. So I get the appeal of course in preferring one look over the other. But it doesn't take away the fact that I think it's a completely pointless procedure. And I always see people trying to pull the "it has health benefits" thing when it comes to docking tails.... I just wish people would admit it's just purely cosmetic and they simply like the look better. Nothing WRONG with that.

Originally Posted by chachi (Post 3724039)

Well it goes the same way here that just because a few on here had issues doesnt mean its common. I would have to hear from some vets or case studies of many cats before I would accept it is common.

Originally Posted by SweetLifetime (Post 3724060)

Totally understandable. If you're interested, I'd encourage you to do more research. I know cat rescues and shelters have put out a lot of good information.

And, for what it's worth, thanks for being cool and allowing this to be a conversation. I love that we all can express opinions and yet still be polite and get along even when we disagree. Go YT! :)

Originally Posted by KazzyK810 (Post 3723870)

On the same note, I've always found it kind of ironic on the breeding threads, how much careful attention it paid to who our dogs breed with, but many humans seem nilly-willy about who they themselves produce offspring with.

Originally Posted by concretegurl (Post 3724117)

Thanks Teresa you jumped right to the point :no you don't think a dog shoudl be declawed.

Thank you for your insite Chachi, it's nice to hear from someone with some experience here. I think more people here probably have experience with declawed cats but won't post. Anyways it was really about the idea of declawing dogs, but since you posted your experience people are really getting on the cat and dog tail docking ideal rather.

Surprised no one jumped in on debarking...it's also being done to dog both by vet in a surgical procedure and of course as we all know by pup mills in very less humane procedures.

Originally Posted by concretegurl (Post 3724144)

No worries I was more concerned you may have felt attacked.

Originally Posted by Ellie May (Post 3722749)

Never heard of it being done to a dog. They don't use their claws the way cats do anyway.

If they did it and if I had a dog that was being extremely destructive with their claws, I would do it (fronts only). I would do a cat too. Everybody has their opinions on what is right or wrong. IMO, it's okay to do it and I don't see me having a cat without doing it.

Originally Posted by concretegurl (Post 3723682)

:eek: No I was just pointing out my hypocrisy here...but I really like your points here.

LOL old hippie-organic planet or henna hair dye!

But strange to me (not pointing at anyone here there just everywhere) we balk about this with our dogs but maybe not our kids?:confused:

Anywho that was just my whole dime on some food for thought


I do think buster brown should see another Dr. IO'm worried about your feet!

I forget who was teasing me about the Yorkie tatooe saying it says, " I love my mom call her at ###-###-###"
I was like seriously a heart with mom and wth if your phone # changes!?! I totally was lost on that!

Originally Posted by Lil Sis (Post 4180507)

I know this is a very old thread... but it was an interesting read anyway.

I would like to add. My dd has a 14 week puppy. His tail was not docked nor his dew claw removed. She did ask the vet if the dew claw could be removed now and he said no.. it was an invasive operation to do it at this age. Just a bit of info

Originally Posted by Tesajoyner (Post 4180467)

To me one of a cats greatest enjoyment s in life is using its claws. I have 6 cats in our home right now and none have been declawed, they all have learned very quickly what they are allowed to use their claws on and really have a lot of fun attacking and climbing their posts. I opt for training rather than surgery when dealing with any pets behavior problems. However I don't judge if you decide to have it done.
I do think hind dew claws should be removed on infant puppies to prevent later accidents and pain if the toe gets caught on something. I have never had a problem with a pets front dew claws and have also always been able to clip the nails of even the most scared or nippy dog with enough time and patience. Sometimes a foot at a time at first :)
Just my two cents :)

Originally Posted by MyDearSam (Post 4181090)

I would love some ideas from fellow cat owned members about training. I got Tinkerbell when she was just 3 weeks old and someone left her and her littermates in a cardboard box at a construction site. She just turned 6 this past week. She has shredded the back of my couch and a door facing. I have bought her carpeted posts, corrugated cardboard strips, catnip treated posts. I even tried taping aluminum foil to the door facing. Nothing works.

DH is constantly threatening to have her declawed. I know he would never dare actually do it, but it pisses me off that he would even suggest it. He saw me nearly take the receptionist at the vet's office apart over it. When I took Tink in for her spay, the receptionist was filling out the pre-op forms on the computer and completely nonchalantly assumed that she was being declawed too. I told her in not very nice terms that NO, you are not declawing my cat! "I don't believe in mutilation for convenience." were my exact words, and probably everyone in the place heard me.

I can understand the removal of dew claws in puppies, and totally agree. I've seen some really nasty injuries from them being left. Ear cropping I absolutely abhor, and I'm beginning to feel the same about tails. I have issues with the standard on a couple of fronts, but tail docking is where I completely part ways with it. As much as some want to preserve the standard, I dearly hope the UK's ban on the practice takes hold here. Yorkies were bred as working dogs, but they aren't any more. There's absolutely no good and valid reason in my book to continue docking.

Strictly IMO and YMMV.