Declawing

Declawing, whose medical name is onychectomy, is an operation under general anesthesia that removes the claw along with the whole end bone of each toe, to which the claw is attached. It is closer to cutting off the top joint of every finger than to a manicure. Tendon surgery that stops a cat extending its claws, called tenectomy, is a different procedure and has its own problems.

Cats use their claws to climb, stretch, mark territory and defend themselves, so the operation takes away normal behavior. Risks include pain at the time of surgery and later, lameness, nerve damage, infection and regrowth of bone fragments. Some cats go on to bite more, avoid the litter box or lick at their paws. Researchers disagree about how often long-term problems occur, though veterinary bodies in many countries oppose the surgery except when it is needed to treat disease or injury of the claw or toe.

Declawing is illegal in much of Europe and in several other countries, and a few US states and cities have banned it. Rules differ, so check yours. Alternatives include regular nail trimming, scratching posts in the right places, redirecting scratching, and soft nail caps. Ask your vet or a behavior specialist for help if scratching is damaging furniture or hurting people.