Declawing is a procedure that more and more places are banning, yet some owners still consider it for their cats. Many of them simply don’t realize what declawing really involves.
We all love fluffy kittens, but some of us aren’t ready for the fact that the cute little ball of fur will grow up and follow its natural instincts, including scratching. To avoid damaged furniture or scratched hands, some owners take the drastic step of having their cat declawed. Here’s why veterinary organizations around the world oppose it, and what you can do instead.
Why Do Cats Need Their Claws?
To understand why so many people oppose declawing, start with why cats need their claws in the first place. Many people think cats use their claws just to destroy furniture, carpets and wallpaper and to scratch their owners. But is that true?
- First, a cat is a predator, and it needs its claws to catch and hold prey, and to grip toys during play.
- Second, cats need to defend themselves, and several sharp claws are their best weapon.
- Third, claws let cats climb and move confidently on vertical as well as horizontal surfaces, and help them balance.
- Fourth, scratching is a natural, healthy behavior. It removes the old outer layer of the claws, stretches the muscles of the legs and back, and leaves scent and visual marks that help cats feel secure in their territory.
What Is Declawing?
Declawing (onychectomy) isn’t a “manicure.” Because a cat’s claw grows from the bone, removing the claw permanently means amputating the last bone of each toe, along with the nail bed, tendons and ligaments. Compared with a human hand, it’s like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle. It’s performed under general anesthesia, using a scalpel, a guillotine-style clipper or a laser. All methods amputate the bone.
A related procedure, a tendonectomy, cuts the tendons that extend the claws. The claws stay but can’t be used, and they keep growing, so they need frequent trimming to stop them from growing into the paw pads. It’s not a humane alternative.
What Are the Risks and Consequences of Declawing?
- Pain. Declawing causes significant pain after surgery, and some cats develop long-term chronic pain, including nerve pain and “phantom” pain.
- Complications. Bleeding, infection, swelling, and claw fragments regrowing inside the paw, which can cause abscesses and may need further surgery.
- Changes in posture and gait. Cats walk on their toes. Without the last bone of each toe, they shift their weight back onto the soft pads, which can lead to back pain, arthritis and lameness over time.
- Behavior problems. Studies have found that declawed cats are more likely to bite, to be aggressive, to pee and poop outside the litter box (often because their paws hurt in litter) and to overgroom. Read more: why cats pee outside the litter box.
- Vulnerability. A declawed cat can’t defend itself properly or climb to escape danger, so it must never be allowed outdoors.
Where Is Declawing Banned?
Declawing is banned or considered unethical in many countries, including the UK (where it has been illegal since the Animal Welfare Act 2006), most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Israel and Brazil, as well as many Canadian provinces.
In the US, a growing number of states ban declawing except when it’s medically necessary for the cat, such as to remove a tumor in the toe. As of 2026, these include New York (the first, in 2019), Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and California, as well as Washington, D.C. Many cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Austin, Pittsburgh and St. Louis, have their own bans, and bills are pending in other states. Check your local laws, as they’re changing quickly.
Major veterinary bodies, including the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and the British Veterinary Association, oppose elective declawing, and many vets refuse to perform it.
Alternatives to Declawing
- Scratching posts. Teach your cat from an early age to use a scratching post. You can buy one at any pet store or make it yourself. Choose a tall, sturdy post covered in sisal rope, placed near where your cat sleeps and next to the furniture it likes to scratch. Add horizontal cardboard scratchers too, since some cats prefer them. With a few simple lessons, your cat will scratch in the right place. If it’s reluctant, attract it to the post with catnip, silver vine, treats and play, and reward it when it uses the post. Read more: how to get your cat to use a scratching post.
- Regular nail trims. Trimming your cat’s claws at home is easy, and if your cat is used to it, it can even be a pleasant time together. Trimming every two to three weeks is usually enough. Read our guide on how to trim a cat’s nails.
- Nail caps. Soft vinyl caps (such as Soft Paws or Soft Claws) are glued onto the claws. They’re sold in pet stores and by vets. Your cat may take a little while to get used to them, but they’re far more humane than surgery. They fall off naturally as the claws grow, usually after four to six weeks.
- Protect your furniture. Use double-sided tape, furniture guards or throws on the spots your cat scratches, and place a scratching post right in front of them.
- Positive training. Never punish your cat for scratching. Instead, gently redirect it to an appropriate surface and reward it when it uses it. Synthetic pheromone products, such as Feliway Optimum or FeliScratch, can also help guide cats to scratch in the right places.
The only time declawing a toe is justified is when there’s a genuine medical reason, such as a tumor in the nail bed or a severe injury or infection that can’t be treated any other way.
If you’re worried about scratches because of a medical condition, such as a weakened immune system or a bleeding disorder, talk to your doctor and vet about trimmed nails and nail caps. Health organizations, including the CDC, don’t recommend declawing even for people with weakened immune systems. And if you can’t accept any risk to your rugs and sofas, consider whether a cat is the right pet for you right now. Claws are an essential part of what makes a cat a cat.
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