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katiewhompus
member
Opinions about animals
The post on E got me thinking about all of the "normal' things we do to animals that can be controvercial. Things like tail docking, ear docking, debarking, declawing, wing trimming (for birds), tail amputations (for rodents, yes they do this), etc.
How do you fall in topics? I've researched a bunch and find it morbidly interesting how every single thing has "valid" (I quote because I don't think it's valid) reasons behind why it's done.
Here's my stance
Declawing - Insanely inhumane and I would only do it as a last resort (aka, cat will be euthanized without it)
Debarking - Insanely inhumane and not happening period
Body alterations (docking) - I don't know. I want to say inhumane on this one because 99% of the time it's purely cosmetic, but I also don't think (and could be wrong) it will affect the dog negatively in the long run. That being said, I would never do it to my own animal.
Wing trimming - I'm wishy washy on this. Yes birds love to fly and it's what they do, but it does keep them safer while in captivity and doesn't hurt them (as long as it's done correctly)
Tail amputations for rodents - I think these people need to go to jail.
How do you fall in topics? I've researched a bunch and find it morbidly interesting how every single thing has "valid" (I quote because I don't think it's valid) reasons behind why it's done.
Here's my stance
Declawing - Insanely inhumane and I would only do it as a last resort (aka, cat will be euthanized without it)
Debarking - Insanely inhumane and not happening period
Body alterations (docking) - I don't know. I want to say inhumane on this one because 99% of the time it's purely cosmetic, but I also don't think (and could be wrong) it will affect the dog negatively in the long run. That being said, I would never do it to my own animal.
Wing trimming - I'm wishy washy on this. Yes birds love to fly and it's what they do, but it does keep them safer while in captivity and doesn't hurt them (as long as it's done correctly)
Tail amputations for rodents - I think these people need to go to jail.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Opinions about animals
My parent's neighbors docked their poor pitbull's tail by themselves. (And the sheriff won't do shiit about it). An animal is not an accessory and you should not alter parts of their body to achieve some sort of look. I don't care if it is the "look" for the breed. Stop disfiguring the breed and it won't be the look anymore.
If you are truely concerned about your cat destroying yoru furniture, then don't get a cat. It is not okay to amputate part of them because of your material shiit.
Can you tell I get a little heated about this?
[QUOTE]The post on E got me thinking about all of the "normal' things we do to animals that can be controvercial. Things like tail docking, ear docking, debarking, declawing, wing trimming (for birds), tail amputations (for rodents, yes they do this), etc. How do you fall in topics? I've researched a bunch and find it morbidly interesting how every single thing has "valid" (I quote because I don't think it's valid) reasons behind why it's done. Here's my stance Declawing - Insanely inhumane and I would only do it as a last resort (aka, cat will be euthanized without it) Debarking - Insanely inhumane and not happening period Body alterations (docking) - I don't know. I want to say inhumane on this one because 99% of the time it's purely cosmetic, but I also don't think (and could be wrong) it will affect the dog negatively in the long run. That being said, I would never do it to my own animal. Wing trimming - I'm wishy washy on this. Yes birds love to fly and it's what they do, but it does keep them safer while in captivity and doeNosn't hurt them (as long as it's done correctly) Tail amputations for rodents - I think these people need to go to jail.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div><strong>Debarking - No</strong></div><div><strong>Declawing - NO, NO, NO</strong></div><div><strong>Wing clipping - Maybe, but I am not in love with it.</strong></div><div><strong>Ear and tail clips- No, 99% of the time. I am told though that sometimes the structure a of dog's ears makes them susceptible to infection in some breeds.</strong></div><div><strong>Tail amputation for rodents? Is that a fetish or something? NO!
</strong>
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My dad's girlfriend has a boxer, but his ears and tail aren't docked. She refuses, and no longer goes to her old vet because every time she brought him in the vet wuld insist on doing the docking. I can't believe he would encourage doing that even after she repeatedly refused.
I think declawing cats just to save your furniture in the stupidest thing I've ever heard. We didn't intend to declaw our cats but it was recommended (just the fronts) by our vet when poor Charley was hurting herself. She is prone to infections and irritation due to a wonky ear structure. The poor thing was tearing up her skin and hair whenever she had even a tiny ear problem. Now she can massage her ear as much as she wants without having all the deep scratches that hurt and the nasty antibiotic cream that apparently was torture whenever i put it on her.
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I'm against all of it, except the de-clawing one. I'm a little iffy on that one. I agree with Nebb, that it is different when it's a tiny kitten, than a full-blown adult.
I do have to say though, when I think about getting a pet, I look at the de-clawed, de-barked ones first. It would make my life a little easier; Although, if we had a house, I wouldn't care. I think it's just because I live in an apartment. My views will change when we get a house, I'm sure of it.
ETA: I would definitely look into a different type of nail filing for the cats. I would never DO the declawing, personally, but I weigh the options of getting one that has already been done. Does that make sense?
No, and guess what? You are now on my districts "never sell a rodent to X" list biitch.
You just need to know what you're getting into with animals. Dogs bark, cats claw, it just happens, get over it. It's not like you would have a kid and give it some surgery so it doesn't poop or something.
We once had a declawed cat in the adoption center (found that way) and his paws were so weird. He was a real sweetheart unless you started annoying him and then he'd just sink his teeth into you with no warning.
House / Baby blog
My mom bought a mini schnauzer puppy and got her at 8 weeks and the breeder already had her tail docked, but not her ears. They offered my mom to have her ears docked too and my mom told them she would've preferred if they hadn't already docked her tail. They were so confussed because otherwise she wouldn't look like a 'real' schnauzer.
[QUOTE]I kind of want to remove the voice box and any person that debarks their dog.
Posted by jasmineh7777[/QUOTE]
<div>It's not fun =(</div>
Declawing - I agree ONLY if this is strickly an indoor cat.
Debarking - what is the purpose?
Body alterations (docking) - Usually done when they are less than 1 week old so there is no pain, or bleeding etc. In some breeds it is prefered.
Wing trimming - usually done for "pets" so they don't fly away
Tail amputations for rodents - i don't quite understand this either
I'll admit when I first got my rats the tails were a bit weird to get used to, but I couldn't imagine taking that away from them. It grosses out non-rat people but they would use their tail's to hug me along with balancing and just..you know, existing because they are supposed to have tails!
I once had a customer ask if I could wing trim her finch. Um..no, get out my store.
House / Baby blog
[QUOTE]Sorry I am a huge animal lover but: Declawing - I agree ONLY if this is strickly an indoor cat. Debarking - what is the purpose? Body alterations (docking) - <strong>Usually done when they are less than 1 week old so there is no pain</strong>, or bleeding etc. In some breeds it is prefered. Wing trimming - usually done for "pets" so they don't fly away Tail amputations for rodents - i don't quite understand this either
Posted by sosterhout[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Are you confusing "no pain" with "pain, but they are so young they don't really remember it so they don't hold it against you" ??
</div><div>
</div><div>Another question: dew claw removal. Annnnd go.</div>
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions about animals : Are you confusing "no pain" with "pain, but they are so young they don't really remember it so they don't hold it against you" ?? Another question: dew claw removal. Annnnd go.
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]
Yeah, pretty sure they can feel pain when they are young...
Here's my problem with declawing indoor cats. At any point they have the ability to become outdoor cats even if the owner has the best of intentions. If they somehow get out of the house they now are even more screwed because along with no experience with danger, they have no way to defend themselves.
I also think most (not all, but most I've dealt with) owners who are willing to declaw their cat are also not willing to deal with other behavior issues, so chances are the cat will be put in a shelter or on the streets eventually. I know that's a big leap, but that's just in my experience.
House / Baby blog
[QUOTE]Sorry I am a huge animal lover but: <strong>Declawing - I agree ONLY if this is strickly an indoor cat.</strong> Debarking - what is the purpose? Body alterations (docking) - Usually done when they are less than 1 week old so there is no pain, or bleeding etc. In some breeds it is prefered. Wing trimming - usually done for "pets" so they don't fly away Tail amputations for rodents - i don't quite understand this either
Posted by sosterhout[/QUOTE]
<div>It is not right for indoor cats, either. Claws are part of what they use to walk, and not having them can cause joing pain and issues later in their lives. Many vets are refusing to do it now.</div>
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I think de-barking is ridiculous and horrible.
Docking for cosmetic purposes is cruel, but if it needs to be done for the animal's welfare I don't have a problem with it. I know it's somewhat different from a dog, but I grew up on a farm and we had to dock all the lamb's tails because otherwise all kinds of gross stuff would get stuck in them and they'd get infections.
And cutting off a rat's tail? Huh? That's crazy talk. I'm glad that lady wound up on your "no rodents, biitch" list.
House / Baby blog
I couldn't even consider debarking. It seems crazy and cruel.
House / Baby blog
[QUOTE]I'm honestly not sure how I feel about dew claws and haven't done enough research. I do know that it's a huge problem with dogs getting groomed if they have long fur and the owner doesn't tell the groomer they exist. I've also heard one story where a puppy got his dew claw stuck in a blanket and ended up severly hurting himself because it twisted the claw around so much it almost ripped it off.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]
My dog has ripped his dew claw off twice. We keep his nails short, but he always snags it. My vet said it just happens to some dogs (which sucks because it hurts him and it's expensive to get anitbiotics to put him on), so I'd consider having them removed as a puppy if we had him then.
I don't own animals that the rest apply to, but I wouldn't do it.
It is true that pit bulls grab and hold on. But what they most
often grab and refuse to let go of is your heart
House / Baby blog
[QUOTE]I love pits and dobermans who haven't been docked. They look so much more sweet and cuddly.
Posted by katiewhompus[/QUOTE]
Exactly. And the sad thing is, is that's why most people dock their ears. They want to make their heads "look bigger" and they want them to look intimidating. I don't want people to be terrified of my dogs upon seeing them. There is already a severe misconception of pits, why add to the negativity?
ETC: spelling.
It is true that pit bulls grab and hold on. But what they most
often grab and refuse to let go of is your heart
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Opinions about animals : Exactly. And the sad thing is, is that's why most people dock their ears. They want to make their heads "look bigger" and they want them to look intimidating. I don't want people to be terrified of my dogs upon seeing them. There is already a severe misconception of pits, why add to the negativity? ETC: spelling.
Posted by Chi_Chi[/QUOTE]
Exactly. I like my dogs to look cute and cuddly, then the bad people won't be aware that they are about to be taken down by a ferocious monster ;)
House / Baby blog