Thu 27 Sep 2007 01:02PM PDT by TinaValant | 225 views | 0 meows

Is Your Cat an Amputee?

Over twenty years ago, I adopted Rocky, a loving black Persian, from the shelter. He was two years old, and my first cat (as an adult). Newly married, we had just purchased new furniture. My husband's sole request was he be declawed.  The following week, we arrived at the vet for the procedure. As it was explained, I suddenly felt light-headed. Was the room spinning? The next thing I know, I am lying on the floor, smelling salts being waved under my nose. I was so embarrassed. Rocky, his claws and I returned home. He lived twelve more happy years, and was truly a love-sponge.

The truth is, declawing is equivalent to you having the first joint of your fingers amputated. Cats use all four of their feet for balance and climbing. Imagine grabbing something without your fingertips. It is especially painful when the cat is over a couple months old, with bones that are already mature (broken).

We can always buy new furniture, or have it recovered. Cats are not lizards; able to regrow lost joints.

There are so many products on the market today, including scratching posts, sticky tape (for furniture), and claw covers (which get super-glued on). Luckily, only Toy scratches. Combined with curbing the behavior ~ when you catch them in the act ~ there is no reason for this truly inhumane procedure. Many vets now refuse to do it.

www.pawproject.com   www.stickypaws.com

www.softpaws.com