My late wife decreed that no non-declawed cat would be allowed into the house. I felt that, in exchange for the declawing (and the spaying), we were giving our cats a completely safe life so that's what we did with the first kitten. She healed fine .. in fact, her paws healed before the spaying cut .. with no complications or problems. So every kitten that we've taken in since then have had the same procedures, all with no adverse reactions or problems.
I understand the idea that "declawing" is cutting off the first knuckle and don't particularly enjoy having it done to my kitties. With the first one, I tried trimming the front claws, but I guess the kitty could feel my apprehension and inflicted great bodily harm on me trying to escape every time I made the attempt.
My three late-kitties all lived in excess of 17 years and all died of complications due to their old ages. My current kitties are fat and happy. I feel that this procedure is an fair exchange to giving these kittens safe, happy, and long lives. If the procedure were outlawed nationally, or in Texas, I probably would not take in another cat or kitten, and I truly would hate that.
I guess I should clarify .. only the front claws were removed. All of my cats have never been .. and would never be allowed to be .. outside of the house after declawing.
Agree.