The domestic cat’s wildcat ancestor has evolved over about 2 million years. The domestic cat is almost identical to their wildcat ancestor, the North African wildcat. Two million years of evolution has created a near perfect predatory machine with beautiful anatomy, fabulous senses and hunting and jumping skills. The domestic cat is nature’s finely tuned work of art. In motoring terms, it is a Ferrari. Why turn it into a beat-up Volkswagen Golf with dents and damage? Metaphorically speaking, that’s what you do if you declaw your cat!
“A cat without its claws is not a true cat.” – Desmond Morris PhD in Cat Watching
“Both the cat and the dog are animals with which we humans have entered into a solemn contract. We have an unwritten, unspoken pact with their wild ancestors, offering food and drink and PROTECTION, in exchange for the performance of certain duties.” – Desmond Morris.
It is common sense that we shouldn’t modify something that is near perfect. We should admire it instead. The commonplace and ubiquitous domestic cat is perfect in one outstanding respect; it is the perfect predator. We should admire that aspect of the cat rather than be frightened of it. And if we are frightened of it steer clear, don’t adopt one.
Yes, the cat has all the attributes required to be a perfect predator. It has wonderful athleticism, great climbing skills, superb hearing that is much better than ours, night-sight vision to die for and last but not least the weapons, the teeth and claws backed up by a strong bite force.
Why do tens of millions of Americans decide to amputate the distal phalange from the last joint of each toe of both front paws – ten partial amputations? In doing this they are turning a racing car into an old banger. Take a look at this slow-motion video of an ordinary cat expressing its extraordinary predatory skills in play.
@user8628776538034 My kitten’s hunting action is so beautiful.#kitten #fouryou #fyp #animaanimalls ♬ original sound – Naturally Solid
Tough to watch in one way as it is the killing of birds but in terms of sheer hunting skills and athleticism it is beautiful, n’est ce pas? If people declaw their cats – a most cruel and immoral practice – then why not de-tooth the cat as well? The teeth are part of the cat’s weaponry. Why not go the whole way? In asking this question we throw up the absurdity of declawing. A declawed cat is liable to compensate for loss of its claws by using its jaws! But more frequently.
So, what have you gained? And it doesn’t stop there. Some cats develop behavioral problems. You have torn up that beautifully perfect predator and turned it into a lame shadow if its former self. For what? Because you are frightened that you might get scratched? If you are scratched it’ll nearly always be your fault. And as for furniture, well it is absurd to modify the perfect predator for a piece of furniture.
Admire the domestic cat for what it is and accept it for what it is; the perfect predator that also happens to be a great companion.
There are so many downsides to declawing and one, perhaps two upsides. Here are some downsides:
- Turning a Ferrari into an old banger
- Causing a huge amount of pain
- Possibility causing lameness
- Possibly causing arthritis
- Possibly causing abandonment to a shelter as the cat bites more or eliminates inappropriately
- Cat stops using the litter tray because it bloody well hurts
- Cat becomes less playful and morose
- Possible long-term pain
- Possible need to have corrective surgery as there are bone shards in the paw due to botched surgery
- Possible complications of surgery
- Possibly bites more
- Have to keep the cat inside as they can no longer defend themselves outside
- Keeping cats inside places greater responsibilities on their owners to entertain and mentally stimulate them
Upside:
- Furniture isn’t scratched.
- You aren’t scratched but you might be bitten more – no upside
