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

The dewclaw can be removed at an older age but is considered amputation and is more painful for them but it can be done and is often done.

My cocker spaniel puppy has 1 dewclaw that must have grew back from when the breeder's vet did it. It is now deformed and causing problems. The vet is going to remove it when she is spayed around 6 months old. If it were a normal dewclaw I wouldn't bother as I have 2 others that still have dewclaws and wouldn't consider having it done to them.

I guess I am pro dewclaw removal and tail docking because it is done at a very early age and if done right causes very little pain and no bleeding. As for declawing cats, I really have nothing against those that want to declaw their cats, I just prefer not to.
I don't think there is a definite right or wrong decision. I would prefer training the cat but if someone wants to declaw their cat that is their decision to make and it isn't necessarily right or wrong. As long as the end result is a happy cat and happy owner I am all for whatever decision makes that possible.

Having said that, I admit that I prefer docked tails and cropped ears for purely cosmetic preference. Although they both have benefits and a purpose for being done, it is my personal preference. I love nubby tails and pointy ears. Docked tails prevent tail damage and a dog with erect ears has less ear infections, both make my life easier. Does that make it wrong? Perhaps in some people's views but the end result is a happy dog and owner and besides the initial pain of when it is done, they are no painful lasting results so what harm is being done?

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.

I agree. I have cat's but will not declaw. I have seen some hideous deformed paws on cat's that had the procedure done. I have always trimmed my kitten's nails from the time they are little. They learn to accept it. Sometimes you can train an adult cat to accept it by doing it when they are sleeping or wrapping them in a blanket. Only the front claws need to be done. I have a 3 cats that were feral when they came to us. They come in when the weather is bad and never scratch anything. We do have one indoor cat that would like to scratch some areas but Gracie is very good at letting her know that she is not putting up with that!

If you trim the front claws about once a month they can't do damage to your furniture. If your cat is not going to allow you to give her a manicure then try wrapping her up in a large towel or a small blanket with just one paw sticking our at a time. I have found if you approach them when they are very relaxed sometimes you can get a few claws trimmed before they decide to put a top to it. Having their own post or climbing area is helpful. The sell some nice cat trees in some pet stores and online. If you have someone handy around they are fairly easy to make also.