[redwitch]

Declawing is really like amputating the first joint of your fingers. Not a kind, loving thing to do. As has been said, you can train a cat to not claw furniture (spray bottles and water guns come in real handy when training a cat).

I'm also sure there are some here who have declawed their cats and never regretted it, but are afraid to speak up. I do have friends who have declawed all cats they have owned and truly see nothing wrong with it. To them, the short period of pain the cat goes through is worth it. Their choice is either declaw the cat or get rid of it -- a hard thing to do once you've become attached. I can't say I understand their reasoning, but at least the cats have a home in which they are loved and cossetted.

I have 3 cats. My big girl will only claw on a cardboard box. Pain in the neck to pick up the shreds, but that's her definition of a scratching post. The black brat kitty actually uses the cat scratching post -- the only well-behaved thing she does. My baby Bo thinks the edge of the couch is where she is supposed to sharpen her claws. Fortunately, she hates water, so a quick squirt and she quits for a month or two and then has to be reminded all over that that is not acceptable.