I'm new here and I don't know how you all feel about declawing.  but I
wanted to inform everyone about the facts on declawing.  I learned most of
this stuff in vet school and it is MSU where my sources lie.

Declawing, BE INFORMED BEFORE YOU DO IT!!

1.  Many veterinarians will not declaw cats due to the pain it causes them
for a long time after.

2.  A declawed cat takes about 3-5 months to fully heal and re-gain full use
of their paws again.

3.  Spaying and neutering does not cause cats to become laxy and overweight.
However, most vets will admitt to declawing being a factor in laziness and
obesity among cats.

4.  A cats claws are like his/her fingers.  Declawing a kitten is like
amputating the fingers off your newborn child, and while that is an extreme
comparrison, it's very much the same to the kitten.

5.  When I become a vet...I will not declaw cats or kittens.  I will,
however, provide means of alternatives to declawing.