I guess I'll share my opinion since I've owned several cats which we've had declawed. In the Dakotas, especially, it is a very common practice and next to no one views it as "animal cruelty." It is very sad, and I feel terrible for my kitties after they get it done (because I'm a crazy cat lover). That said, it is not near as bad as some people make it out to be. The recovery period is incredibly short. I'm not kidding. We always get our kitties declawed when they are younger (which probably makes it faster and less painful than older kitties), but I'm talking like...a few days. Seriously. Then they're back to normal. The first day is the worst.
All of our cats are always strictly indoor cats. We do not let them outside. Even so, getting a cat declawed does not cripple them from hunting. The main thing they lose is defense against other clawed cats (which isn't an issue for our kitties). When we get mice in our basement sometimes, our declawed, completely indoor cats can still hunt them like pros. Yes, they've done it. Caught and killed. Plus, some friends of mine had a declawed cat that was originally an indoor cat moved to their farm. She had to live among many outdoor kitties. She could still hunt quite well. Cats adapt because they are awesome.
Besides silly animal elitism (I have great pride in my cats, but I am not ridiculous) or simply ignorance to the issue, people make it out to be WAY worse than it actually is. I have seen tons of completely declawed cats in my life (and owned several, too). They are no different than other cats. They do not have problems. They are not messed up. They run around and play and jump and do everything full speed crazy. If you want cats for indoor pets, declawing is a great thing to have done. Show them lots of love during the short recovery period, and it'll all be over soon. Once they've healed, you can play and cuddle with them so much better. No scratches ever. No wrecked furniture or clothes. They go from being an amazing pet to the perfect pet. And no, they don't hold it against you. Our cats are always very loving to us.
What more is there to say? I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can. I'm a huge cat lover, and I fully support declawing. If the cat is going to be strictly outdoors, I would definitely not recommend it, though. For indoor cats? Always.
I guess I forgot to directly address your question. In this case, I would no question get them declawed. Help them through it and give them lots of love. It is vastly better to keep loving them and show them a good life. Even though, admittedly, it is going to be much harder for older kitties.
All of our cats are always strictly indoor cats. We do not let them outside. Even so, getting a cat declawed does not cripple them from hunting. The main thing they lose is defense against other clawed cats (which isn't an issue for our kitties). When we get mice in our basement sometimes, our declawed, completely indoor cats can still hunt them like pros. Yes, they've done it. Caught and killed. Plus, some friends of mine had a declawed cat that was originally an indoor cat moved to their farm. She had to live among many outdoor kitties. She could still hunt quite well. Cats adapt because they are awesome.
Besides silly animal elitism (I have great pride in my cats, but I am not ridiculous) or simply ignorance to the issue, people make it out to be WAY worse than it actually is. I have seen tons of completely declawed cats in my life (and owned several, too). They are no different than other cats. They do not have problems. They are not messed up. They run around and play and jump and do everything full speed crazy. If you want cats for indoor pets, declawing is a great thing to have done. Show them lots of love during the short recovery period, and it'll all be over soon. Once they've healed, you can play and cuddle with them so much better. No scratches ever. No wrecked furniture or clothes. They go from being an amazing pet to the perfect pet. And no, they don't hold it against you. Our cats are always very loving to us.
What more is there to say? I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can. I'm a huge cat lover, and I fully support declawing. If the cat is going to be strictly outdoors, I would definitely not recommend it, though. For indoor cats? Always.
I guess I forgot to directly address your question. In this case, I would no question get them declawed. Help them through it and give them lots of love. It is vastly better to keep loving them and show them a good life. Even though, admittedly, it is going to be much harder for older kitties.