Wouldn't you think that clipping a cats ear, to show that it has been spayed is just as mean as declawing or spaying a kitty? Your taking something away from that cat..... I would love to get peoples veiws on this subject.
I agree with what Laurie said. However, I would prefer they do it some other way. Such as maybe a tatoo. But then again, that wouldn't be as visable. But I don't think clipping an ear is as cruel as declawing. It's not nice IMO, but it is not nearly as cruel. A cat has to walk on its paws after the toes have been mutilated and are more prone to getting stuff stuck in their toes (such as litter, dirt etc.) that can cause irritation and pain. And declawing is taking away a cats natural way to defend itself. A clipped ear may cause very mild, temporary discomfort but will not affect the cats' quality of life as a declaw will. That's all just IMHO!Originally Posted by LDG
Ear-tipping is different than both of the above. If you've had your ears pierced, you're aware that there are very few nerve endings in the ear (unlike kitty's very sensitive paw pads/feet). So ear-tipping or notching isn't particularly painful, it heals quickly, and it prevents a feral cat from being transported to a vet more than once for a spay or neuter it's already had.
...and it doesn't affect the cat's hearing, and cats don't walk on their ears.
Laurie
Not just for you, but other people as well. The cat might not necessarily stick around forever. If animal control were to pick it up, they would know right away that the cat was altered and it would have possibly a more likely chance of staying as a feral instead of being PTS. Or maybe there is some other nice person out there doing TNR.Originally Posted by keith p
I dont like the ear clipping, to me it seems unecessary unless you have so many strays you cant tell them apart. For me this isnt the case, I have very few and can tell them apart easily.
I don't know, think of how little feeling you have on that part of your ear. Do you have your ear pierced? That doesn't even hurt at all, there is little feeling in that part of your ear, same with the cats.Originally Posted by keith p
I know about that, but still im sure the cat wasnt happy about it, it had to hurt.
And they did an awful job of it on my cat, if they did it right I would feel less guilty.
That is SO true! That's why they ear-tip instead of ear-notch, because it can be so hard to tell the difference between an ear-notch and a little missing piece of ear from a fight.Originally Posted by Katzyn
I think the ear clipping it fine (actually, I hadn't even known about it until now). I mean, cats get their ears torn up way worse in fights, at least this is for a purpose and is useful.