Declawing as a viable option?

Whether or not to declaw your cat is a difficult decision that many people face, especially when a rental agreement insists any cat moving in with you is declawed.

"In a situation where either the cat goes or the claws go, there's so much at this point in terms of improved surgical technique, with laser surgery and with pain control, that you really can do the procedure with a minimal amount of discomfort to the cat," says Gail C. Golab, director of animal welfare for the American Veterinary Medical Association. "I don't think there's any comparison between cats enjoying a life in a household and putting them in a shelter to avoid declawing."

An interesting note in the full article talks about laser declawing, which is now more widely used and a good compromise, since it simplifies surgery and reduces recovery time and pain.

Read full article: CNN