cat

As-Salamu `alaykum. Is it haram (prohibited) to declaw a young cat to protect the furniture? We adopted a cat a year ago and tried to train it not to scratch. However, it has ruined some of our furniture and we do not want to send it back to the shelter, for the kids enjoy having it around. Jazakum Allah Khayran.

As-Salamu `alaykum. My parents have a pet cat and it is very sick now. They are planning to have it put down. Is this kind of mercy killing allowed in Islam?