Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Professor of Behavioral Pharmacology and Director of the Behavior Clinic at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and internationally known specialist in domestic animal behavioral research, explains declawing:

"The inhumanity of the procedure is clearly demonstrated by the nature of cats' recovery from anesthesia following the surgery. Unlike routine recoveries, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cats bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of excruciating pain. Cats that are more stoic huddle in the corner of the recovery cage, immobilized in a state of helplessness, presumably by overwhelming pain. Declawing fits the dictionary definition of mutilation to a tee. Words such as deform, disfigure, disjoint, and dismember all apply to this surgery. Partial digital amputation is so horrible that it has been employed for torture of prisoners of war, and in veterinary medicine, the clinical procedure serves as model of severe pain for testing the efficacy of analgesic drugs. Even though analgesic drugs can be used postoperatively, they rarely are, and their effects are incomplete and transient anyway, so sooner or later the pain will emerge." 
(Excerpted from The Cat Who Cried For Help, Dodman N, Bantam Books, New York).

Scott Baker Despite frequent discussion, feline onchyectomy (declawing) remains a source of confusion for many. This article will examine this controversial procedure and the implications facing a cat, on which it is performed.

Scratching behavior is a normal and natural part of a cat's existence. It is used to condition the claws, as a territorial mark and is a mechanism for stretching itself, and for toning the back and shoulder muscles. A cat's claws are also their primary defense and provide good traction, allowing rapid acceleration and sharp turns while running and bestowing climbing ability. They use their claws to a lesser extent as they play with the other pets in a household, and use their claws to DEFEND themselves, or to escape from those same household pets, if need be.

To best examine the issue of declawing it is essential to understand the procedure as it is applied in practice. First, the cat is given a general anesthetic and the fur surrounding the cat's paws may/or may not be shaved off. A tourniquet is placed around the leg, and the nail area may/or may not be rinsed with alcohol. The actual amputation is performed by making a cut across the first joint (possible involving the foot pad), using a guillotine type “toe cutter.” The area is then tightly bandaged to prevent hemorrhage or sometimes, just coated with “Super Glue.” The bandaging can be removed two to three days after the surgery.

Two fundamental statements provide the basis for this discussion. First, that it is morally wrong to surgically alter any being, without his/her consent, unless for medical necessity, or to provide a health benefit, when consent is impossible. Second, that all species are equal in their right to be treated with respect and compassion, thus obligating us to provide this respect and compassion to person or creature under our care.

A stance...

Since scratching is a natural behavior of cats we must be prepared to accept this behavior along with the cat. Despite the fact that most cats will use designated scratching posts when provided, we must accept that occasional damage to our material belongings may result. The solution to this is not to mutilate the cat but to learn acceptance. If scratching or clawing is a problem for people, it is their problem and not the cat’s.

Proponents of declawing defend this procedure with several common assertions:

1.)"Declawing does nothing to harm the cat".

The failing of this argument is that without question, declawing certainly increases the risk of long-term harm to the cat. Phalangial amputation of cats is a practice used by pharmaceutical companies to test painkillers, as it is one of the most painful procedures that can be performed. Just consider that it has been (and still is, in some places) used as a form of torture with humans.

The surgery can, and does, result in many detrimental effects. Any general anesthetic puts a person, or animal, at risk. If the bandages are put on too tightly the foot can become gangrenous and necessitate amputation of the leg. In many instances one or more claws will begin to re-grow causing extreme pain . . . or, if either the guillotine trimmer is dull, or the cat's toe bone (claw) is brittle, the bone may shatter. This is called a "sequestrum" which becomes a sight for irritation and continuous drainage from the toe. This can only be corrected by yet another surgical procedure. Enough yet?

There is more. Some chronic, physical ailments including cystitis and skin disorders have been traced to the period immediately following this surgery. Theories also suggest possible effects to the cat's weight bearing and movement kinetics.

However, as they have been deprived of their primary source of defense - their claws, declawed cats often resort to biting when they feel threatened. Many groomers and veterinarians agree that they are far more difficult to handle, both because of the increased incidence of biting and due to a lack of self confidence resulting for the loss of their favored defense mechanism. Shelters are also often forced to euphemize declawed cats that have been surrendered because of this type of behavior.

With all these risks, one would like to compare them to the benefit that the cat experiences – unfortunately, there are none.

2.)"If I do not declaw the cat I would have to surrender it and it will likely be euphemized."

Many use this argument, but when considered in depth it is simply a counter excuse that fits the old adage "Two wrongs don't make a right.” Amputating a cat's toes is just as wrong as surrendering a cat simply because he/she no longer fits in with his/her person’s lifestyle or having a cat euphemized because it was acting as a cat should. It is easy to justify one inhumanity because is may be better then another inhumane option, but both are unnecessary, and neither is justifiable.

For many cat lovers declawing is unconscionable, many veterinarians will not perform the procedure, it is outlawed in some countries, and there is currently no animal welfare organization that condones the practice. Despite the non-surgical alternatives that exist, many people still view this as a preventative procedure that is necessary for a cat to be a “good pet.” It is this last viewpoint that so many cat lovers find infuriating. Cats are already wonderful companions. They do not require any surgical modifications to become the loving companions they are known as, worldwide.

As many, who have authorized having their cat declawed, will freely admit, it was done to prevent damage to their furniture. A kat is a living, thinking, feeling, creature. How can we ever place their welfare on the same balance as that of a piece of furniture?

Declawing is inhumane. And declawing represents a clear and undisputable risk to the cat. And in the end, the kat or kitn will most like HAVE TO BE EUTHANIZED ANYWAY.

For further reading:

"The Cat Who Cried for Help"
by Nicholas H. Dodman, BVMS, MRCVS,
chapter Nine, page 139- The Rebel Without Claws -