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I think this is a topic that is quite specific to the USA. In a huge number of other countries if the practice was ever known it has been made illegal. I think the fact that so many countries make it illegal should tell those owners in the US all they need to know about how suitable it is.
The only time it should be considered - or is allowed to be considered in many countries, is for medical need. The example given above of the cat with the deformed claws would be such a case and obviously in such cases the operation may be necessary and should not be denied (and would not be denied in countries where de-clawing is illegal). However in the case of a cat who has perfectly healthy claws - please don't do it.
Cats can be trained - a sharp "no" when scratching the wrong place (and I have had more than one cat who learned to pretend they were going to claw furniture to get my attention) and treats by the proper place (there must be a proper place) should stop it being a real problem. Or there is the saying "A house is not a home without a cat". What is more important, immaculate furniture or a warm furry purring body?
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