Which is Crueler?

Just to clarify - I've had a tom declawed before. He hobbled around miserably on bloody bandages for a week and never forgave us. He went from being lovable and cuddly to being a surly biter and learned to punch rather than claw. He eventually began to insist on being let outside, and became an indoor/outdoor cat for several years, hunting effectively if differently. He could even tree climb to some degree.

Sounds like he had a terrible recovery period. Why? I've never seen any of this "bloody bandages" thing.

I don't like male cats, though. We've only owned female kitties.