Thread: declaw or not declaw?

Oh believe me I have had my share of ruined furniture and I appreciate your view. My last cat lived to be 18 years and I loved him dearly, even after ruining furniture, carpet and clothes. I am questioning is there any validity to declawing, and does it really harm the cat? I have never had this done and I am looking for constructive advise. I take raising my kitten seriously and this will be for her entire life as well as probably mine. Thank you for the input, much appreciated.