Why Do Americans Mutilate Their Cats?

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by Neil Bamforth

Onychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to remove an animal’s claws. Particular victims of this cruel act are domestic cats. Although common in the USA, declawing is considered an act of animal cruelty in many countries including the United Kingdom, Italy, France – well, pretty much throughout Europe. Also Australia, Brazil, New Zealand and many other countries across the globe consider it animal cruelty and many have rightly made it illegal. Yet the citizens of America – well, some of  them, seem to think it is a good thing.

The reasons, as far as I can fathom, why Americans seem obsessed with declawing domestic cats is to protect either their curtains and furniture or the poor little birdies in their gardens.

Now look here those of you who think declawing a cat is a good idea. Get a dog or a fish or a budgerigar or something. Cats have claws as we have finger nails and declawing them to protect your bloody curtains is disgraceful.

You do not, as you may well claim, love Tiddles at all. If you did then Tiddles would be gleefully running up your curtains and scratching the hell out of your arms every time you tried to put him in a cat basket.

It’s what cats do for Gods (or the deity of your choice) sake!

Cats, like dogs, were long ago domesticated. Clearly there is a difference in their domesticity. You tickle most dogs tummies and they wag their tail and their tongue lolls out. You try and tickle Tiddles tummy and he’ll go for your eyes – and damn right too!

Cats are as domesticated as they want to be.

Related: Denver Says No to Declawing Cats

A dog lives in your home, you live in a cats home. If you disagree then A) don’t get a cat and B) if you do, don’t you dare declaw it.

Cats have retained their hunting instincts regardless of being well fed and domesticated. Finding deceased rodents and half eaten sparrows is par for the course if you’re a cat owner. Legally they are free ranging animals. That’s what they are so stop trying to make them into cuddly toys.

Have you also considered, you declawing supporters, how vulnerable you have now made Tiddles?

As free ranging animals they don’t go out for walkies on a leash – and if you do that to a cat you’re beyond loopy – they go where the hell they like.

In so doing they may come across a garden with a large dog in it. Said dog may want to do more than chase Tiddles. He just might want to rip Tiddles to shreds.

Now most dogs wouldn’t even catch a cat but, the odd one might corner the cat. Declawed, Tiddles is toast. With claws the dog is toast.

The only way any dog of any size will ever beat a cat in a face off is if said cat is a kitten – and shouldn’t be out anyway – or is elderly and infirm. The same goes for foxes.

A young healthy cat will go for the dogs eyes and the dog will run away howling and half blind. Well, if the young healthy cat has claws anyway.

I have been an active member of British charity Cats Protection for many years and I know my cats. I well know what they are capable of and have scars to prove it. You try taking 6 week old kittens to domesticate them from a feral mother who doesn’t want you to if you don’t believe me.

Thick gloves? Check. Thick head cover? Check. Goggles? Check. Then you have a fighting chance of not being maimed.

Cats are independent because they want to be. They will share your home on their terms. In other words it’s their home and you can stay too as long as you feed them and empty the litter tray regularly.

Declawing a cat is animal cruelty. You can argue with me until you are blue in the face but if you support cat declawing or participate in this awful practice then you are not a cat lover and have no understanding what so ever of what makes a cat tick.

In fact, if you fit into this category you are, frankly, a disgrace and, I have to say, you disgust me.

Still. I suppose you have nice curtains and pretty birdies in your gardens.

Idiots.

About Post Author

Neil Bamforth

I am English first, British second and never ever European. I have supported Oldham Athletic FC for 50 years which has made me immune from depression. My taste buds have died due to too many red hot curries so I drink Kronenburg beer and milk - sometimes in the same glass. I have a wife, daughter, 9 cats and I like toast.
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Admin
4 years ago

I’ve updated this as states are starting to outlaw this cruel practice. Although many US cities are doing the same only two states outlaw it, and they are New York and Massachusetts.

Jim
6 years ago

I love cats and dogs as pets.I have had both as pets, though at different times due to life circumstances. I really don’t understand people that love one and hate they other. They are different, but not that different. They both trust and need us, I really can’t understand anyone being mean to either.

jess
6 years ago

It causes arthritis later for cats that have this done to them also because you are taking away part of what should be their damn feet. We rescued a cat this had been done to when I was younger and she was a weird walker when she got old, my poor mom had this cat at the vet every other week for pain meds, I think she was addicted to them after a while. I had to eventually make mom and dad do the right thing because she was in so much pain with every step. Why can we just not let the animals be the animals they were meant to be.

Reply to  jess
6 years ago

I didn’t know it made cats more susceptible to arthritis. I’m sad to say I always declawed my cats, but that was in the day when everyone did it. No more. Someday I’ll get another cat and she can keep her claws.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Professor Mike
6 years ago

Sadly many ignore the obvious and refuse to learn.

Personally I’d pay a vet to take their fingernails out 😿

jess
Reply to  Professor Mike
6 years ago

They get arthritis in what we would call the elbow, their shoulders etc Mike. What happens is they start walking on the back of their paw because they don’t have toes and it makes them freeze in place. It’s horrible to see a declawed older cat that has a bad walk and looks like they are in pain. As much as the ‘rents loved animals, they really screwed the pooch getting this poor cat declawed and I hounded them all the time about it. I was quite young but I remember telling my dad he was an animal abuser because he did this and I didn’t think I could love him anymore if he did not take care of it for the cat. Asked my mom how would she feel if someone cut her toes off and made her walk on her hands because her feet did not work anymore. Yeah I was a militant little pet lover, still am.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

Because some people are morons. So much so they make me look sensible! 😿

jess
Reply to  Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

Are there enough people in the world to make you look sensible Neil 😉

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

Yes!….no?…..how do I know?? 😂

Rachael
Reply to  jess
6 years ago

Bwahahahahahahahaha! Now that’s funny, and so very, very true there Neil.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Rachael
6 years ago

😀😀😀

Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

I think Americans who declaw their cats still love them, they just love their curtains more.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Bobbie Peel
6 years ago

“I love my cat so I think I’ll mutilate it!” – weird people. Even weirder if they love their curtains more than a living creature supposedly in their care.

Reply to  Neil Bamforth
6 years ago

It was quite fashionable in America to declaw. I expect it was a lack of information driving it.

Neil Bamforth
Reply to  Professor Mike
6 years ago

A lack of common sense if you ask me 😿

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