Declawing Cats: We Asked Vets About This Controversial Procedure

Cat declawing—the removal of a cat's claws—is a controversial medical procedure. Leading organizations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) discourage the procedure. In fact, some states ban the surgery unless it’s medically necessary. Less than half of vet schools require students to learn how to do the surgery, and some schools don't teach it at all. Despite the controversial chatter, some pet parents still elect for the surgery, even if it’s not medically indicated.

We asked two vets for their opinions on declawing and how to make the right choice for you and your cat.

What Is Cat Declawing?

Before deciding to declaw your cat or picking a side in the debate, it's helpful to understand what declawing is and how the procedure works. Declawing—referred to as onychectomy by medical professionals—involves surgically removing the top part of a cat's toe bone along with the claw, Welborn explains. It's comparable to amputating the tip of a human finger at the topmost joint.   

Veterinarians can perform the surgery in two ways: via laser or scalpel. Both can be very painful and require pain management during and after surgery, Welborn says. Without complications, it takes about 10-14 days for cats to heal. During this time, cats can't use the litter box, jump, or clean their paws.

Pros of Declawing Cats

Owners choose to declaw cats for several reasons. This can be done in rare medical cases, such as severe injuries, infections, tumors, chronic pain, or deformities that can't be treated any other way, Denton says. Sometimes, people have underlying health or immune issues, making them more susceptible to cat scratch infections. But more often than not, declawing is done out of convenience to prevent damage to furniture and other household items.

Cons of Declawing Cats

Declawing can significantly impact a cat's ability to engage in natural behaviors and often leads to complications. Here's what you should know:

Prohibits Normal Cat Behaviors

Why do indoor cats need their claws, anyway? Lots of reasons. “Scratching stretches certain muscles that only scratching can stretch. It is also used to express excitement or frustration,” explains Samantha Bell, cat enrichment expert at Best Friends Animal Society. “Scratching also deposits pheromones on objects to show ownership. This gives them confidence and helps them cope in their environment.” 

Without the ability to scratch, cats may:

• Resort to other behaviors to express frustrations, such as biting or peeing and pooping outside the litter box
• Show increased aggression towards humans or other pets
• Experience more stress or anxiety, leading to aggression, overgrooming, urinating outside the litter box, or excessive meowing
• Become particularly vulnerable to predators if they are outdoor cats or accidentally get outdoors

Complications Are Common 

Declawing is a complex procedure that isn’t taught in all veterinary schools, and post-surgical complications are not uncommon. According to Welborn, a small piece of bone is often left behind during surgery. One study even showed that up to 63% of cats had residual bone fragments visible on X-rays, and 8% showed signs of bone remodeling, such as bony spurs.

"This can cause pain while walking, grooming, or jumping into the litter box," Welborn says. Chronic pain from these complications can negatively affect a cat's quality of life as well as their relationship with owners and other pets.

Chronic pain caused by declawing may also lead to:

• Increased aggression toward humans, such as biting
• Increased aggression toward other household pets
• Soiling outside the litter box
• Increased stress and anxiety
• Inability to play, jump, or groom themselves normally
• Back pain caused by an abnormal gait 

Alternatives to Declawing Cats

Declawing cats without a medical reason gets a bad rap for a few good reasons: it can cause lifelong physical pain and behavioral issues. But if you're worried about your furniture or being scratched, there are plenty of effective declawing alternatives to try.

Provide Appropriate Scratching Surfaces

From kittenhood through their senior years, cats should have plenty of appropriate surfaces to scratch—they won’t need to resort to the couch. Welborn offers a few tips for choosing the right scratching surfaces and encouraging your cat to use them:

• Try different substrates: From cardboard to sisal rope and carpet, not all cats like to dig their nails into the same thing. Their preferences can even change with age—senior cats might find sisal rope too tough, while corrugated cardboard feels just right.
• Play with positioning: Some cats prefer vertical surfaces, while others enjoy horizontal ones. Experiment to find out what your cat likes best.
• Make sure it’s sturdy: Cats won’t be able to sink their claws in if the scratcher slides about or wobbles.
• Placement matters: Rather than hiding the scratcher or tree in an out-of-the-way spot, place it where your cat spends most of their time. Fortunately, there are plenty of aesthetically pleasing cat furniture options that can blend with your decor.
• Provide more than one option: Cats like variety, and more than one scratching surface is essential, especially if you have more than one cat. 

Positive Reinforcement 

“Negative reinforcement—yelling or spraying your cat with water—is never recommended,” Welborn says. Punishment can backfire because it can cause cats to become more anxious and lead to more behavioral problems, not to mention tarnish your relationship. 

Rather than punishing your cat, she says, try positive reinforcement: reward your cat with verbal praise, pets, or treats when scratching appropriate surfaces, like a cat tree or scratching post. If you spot your cat eyeing the couch, grab their favorite toy and divert their attention. You can even use playtime to lead them to their scratching post.

Reading Cat Body Language

At first glance, you might think your cat is a poor communicator. But watch closely and you’ll spot signs of happiness, like a relaxed tail, soft eyes, and a gentle purr. On the other hand, cats aren’t shy about showing when they’re unhappy. Their ears might go back, their body may tense up, and their tail could begin quickly swishing back and forth.

"If we don’t see or recognize their plea [to stop an interaction], cats may bite or scratch us to escape the situation," Bell explains. Reading cat body language and teaching little ones to recognize and respect these signals can reduce the likelihood of scratches. 

Nail Caps 

Nail caps are soft vinyl covers that adhere to your cat's freshly trimmed nails. They typically last 4-6 weeks before naturally falling off and won’t interfere with your cat's ability to walk, groom, or retract their nails. Yet, they cover the sharp tips of your cat's claws, providing a gentle but effective way to prevent scratching.

Professional Help

Understanding the reasons behind your cat’s behaviors and stopping unwanted ones can be challenging. That's where professionals like veterinary behaviorists and certified feline consultants come in. They offer in-office, virtual, or in-home consultations to provide expert guidance and individually tailored behavior modification plans.