Optimist With Doubts wrote:

Pandajuice wrote: That's a good point Burt. If declawing is bad, then shouldn't neutering be condemned as well? It doesn't benefit the pet at all (and in fact, as with any surgery, has a risk of fatality), and we only do it for our own convenience in keeping the cats and dog populations down. I think the animals not being adopted due to over population might effect them a bit. What is it they do to non-adopted pets again?

Wow, that's some circular logic. Your arguement is that preventing their birth in the first place prevents them from having to be killed later?

We control the population as humans so we don't have to deal with the consequences of over population, mercy killings and all, not because we care so much about every cat finding a home. Also, if we stopped neutering, there'd be such a high amount of feral, stray cats and dogs in just a few years that they'd quickly overrun all the holding and adoption facilities, so that's not even a point. There'd be wild cats and dogs all over the place which is a gross inconvenience to human society.

That was my whole point. If declawing is as much a convenience to us as neutering is, then where do we draw the line? Declawing can potentially benefit the animal as well, especially if it's a strictly indoor cat, as it eliminates any potential for ingrowth or other complications that can come from claws, as well as benefitting us by keeping our furniture and clothing intact.

UsaSatsui wrote:

Spaying and neutering is also beneficial for the animal. Male cats become complete and total dicks (no pun intended) when they're not fixed, they spray, and they get into fights. Females go into heat, which is very very uncomfortable for the cat. Imagine being constantly horny, double that feeling, and now imagine you can't do anything about it. And the feeling won't go away for a month and a half.

The same could be said for humans, that it could be seen as a blessing if us guys weren't fucking horny all the time and frustratingly obsessed with tits and ass, so why keep our nuts? Wouldn't eunuchs be a lot more docile and satisfied than your general testosterone filled college guy who sprays and gets into fights?

And I agree with Syd. Cats are either too dumb to train or just way too smart and stubborn. They only shit in a sandy litterbox because it's a natural instinct, not because you trained them to do it, and usually do whatever they want regardless of training.