Declawing is amputation of part of the cat's toes. It is very painful. Cats can easily be trained to use scratching posts and not your furniture. I know plenty of people with cats with claws and they do not "tear up their furniture and rip up their skin."
Declawing causes behavioral problems. Many declawed cats bite. Many won't use the litter box. And, let's face it, who on earth would put up with that if they won't tolerate the occasional scratch or take the time to train their cat?
People who love cats and care about their well-being are not going to do something they know is harmful. I don't think the majority of people who declaw their cats know what they are doing. I've heard and read of way too many who would never do it again after the first time, and I've known of plenty to change their mind if they were educated about it in time.
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