For many years, declawing was a relatively common procedure in veterinary hospitals.

Cat owners often requested it because they were concerned about scratched furniture, damaged carpets, or accidental scratches to family members.

Some believed it was similar to permanently trimming a cat's nails.

Others were told it was a routine procedure that could be performed alongside spaying or neutering.

But our understanding of feline anatomy, pain, behavior, and long-term welfare has evolved.

Today, leading veterinary organizations strongly discourage elective declawing, and many veterinary practices no longer offer it.

Why?

Because declawing isn't simply removing a cat's claws. It's amputating part of each affected toe.

And that distinction changes everything.

The procedure can affect how a cat walks, bears weight, stretches, scratches, and interacts with their environment.

It can also be associated with immediate surgical pain, complications, and, in some cats, long-term discomfort.

I want to explain what declawing actually involves, why veterinary recommendations have changed, and what we can do instead.

And if you already have a declawed cat, this article is for you, too.

The goal isn't to judge decisions made years ago.

It's to understand what we know today and use that knowledge to improve our cats' lives.
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The medical term for declawing is onychectomy.

During the procedure, the veterinarian removes the third phalanx, or P3, from each affected toe.

This is the small bone at the end of the toe from which the claw grows.

In a typical front-paw declaw, the procedure affects all five digits of each front paw, including the dewclaws when present.

That's ten separate amputations.

Some cats historically underwent declawing of all four paws.

Why Is That Different From Removing a Fingernail?

A cat's claw is anatomically connected to the last bone of the toe.

To permanently prevent the claw from growing, the surgery removes that bone.

Imagine having the end of each finger amputated at the last joint.

That's a much more accurate comparison than having your fingernails trimmed.

Declawing permanently changes the anatomy of the paw.
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Claws aren't simply weapons or tools for damaging furniture.

They're part of normal feline anatomy and behavior.

Cats use their claws for:

Scratching also helps cats remove the outer sheath of their claws.

And it serves an important communication function.

Cats have scent glands in their paws.

When they scratch, they leave both visible marks and scent signals.

This is normal feline behavior—not disobedience.
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Cats don't scratch furniture because they're angry with their owners.

They scratch because it's an instinctive, normal behavior.

A sofa may provide exactly what a cat wants:

If the scratching post is hidden in a corner, too short, or unstable, your cat may simply prefer the sofa.

The solution is to provide better scratching opportunities—not remove the anatomy that makes scratching possible.
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Several developments have influenced veterinary practice.

1. Greater Recognition of Surgical Pain

We now understand more about feline pain and how cats express discomfort.

Cats don't always cry, limp dramatically, or stop eating when they're hurting.

They may continue behaving relatively normally while experiencing pain.

2. Recognition of Long-Term Complications

Research has identified associations between declawing and certain chronic pain and behavioral problems.

These findings have increased concern about the long-term consequences of elective surgery.

3. Better Understanding of Feline Behavior

Scratching is a normal biological need.

Veterinary behavior and welfare specialists increasingly emphasize helping cats express normal behaviors in acceptable ways.

4. Effective Alternatives

Owners have access to practical alternatives, including:

5. Changes in Veterinary Professional Standards

The American Animal Hospital Association opposes elective declawing and recommends humane alternatives.

The Feline Veterinary Medical Association also strongly opposes elective declawing and has moved to end elective declawing within its Cat Friendly Practice program.

In 2025, AAHA announced updated accreditation standards discouraging medically unnecessary declawing in accredited practices.

These changes reflect an increasing emphasis on feline welfare.

An important distinction: There is no reliable current national census establishing that more than half of all U.S. veterinarians have stopped performing declawing. What is clear is that major professional organizations oppose elective declawing and veterinary practice standards have moved away from it.
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To understand the potential long-term consequences, we need to understand how cats move.

Cats are digitigrade animals.

That means they normally walk on their toes.

Their paw anatomy is designed to support weight through specific structures while allowing flexibility, grip, and controlled movement.

Declawing permanently removes part of that structure.

Changes in Weight-Bearing

Removing the last bone changes the anatomy of the toe.

During recovery, cats may shift weight away from painful areas.

Some cats can develop lasting changes in paw loading or movement.

Changes in Gait

A cat's gait is the way they walk.

After declawing, changes in comfort, anatomy, and weight distribution may affect gait.

However, not every declawed cat develops an obvious abnormal gait.

Changes in Posture

Some cats may compensate for discomfort by changing how they stand, walk, jump, or distribute their weight.

These adaptations may contribute to additional musculoskeletal strain.

Changes in Climbing and Gripping

Without normal claws, cats lose an important means of gripping surfaces.

This can make certain climbing activities more difficult.

Declawed cats may need alternative ways to access elevated resting places.

Changes in Defensive Behavior

Claws are one of a cat's natural defenses.

A declawed cat may have fewer options for defending themselves during a threatening encounter.

This is one reason declawed cats should be kept safely indoors or provided with appropriately supervised, secure outdoor access.
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Yes.

Declawing is a painful surgical procedure.

It involves cutting through tissue and removing bone.

Pain can occur during the immediate postoperative period and throughout healing.

Potential short-term complications include:

Appropriate anesthesia and multimodal pain management are essential when toe amputation is medically necessary.

But good pain control does not change the fact that the anatomy has been permanently altered.
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Yes, chronic pain is a recognized potential complication.

Possible sources include:

Some cats appear comfortable for years.

Others may develop problems that are difficult to recognize without a thorough examination.

What Is Neuropathic Pain?

Neuropathic pain results from injury or disease affecting the nervous system.

It may cause abnormal sensations, hypersensitivity, or pain that persists beyond the expected healing period.

Cats cannot tell us that their paws tingle, burn, or feel unusually sensitive.

Instead, they may show changes in movement, behavior, grooming, or tolerance for handling.

What Does Newer Research Suggest?

A 2025 study examining declawed cats with osteoarthritis found differences in sensory responses, nerve function, and movement compared with non-declawed cats that also had osteoarthritis.

These findings support concern that declawing can contribute to persistent pain-related changes.

However, research is still developing, and we cannot predict which individual cats will experience chronic pain.
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During declawing, the third phalanx must be removed appropriately.

If fragments of that bone remain, they may contribute to complications.

Potential problems include:

A 2017 study of 274 cats found retained third-phalanx fragments in many of the declawed cats examined.

Those fragments were associated with higher rates of certain adverse outcomes.

This does not mean every declawed cat has retained bone fragments.

But it does mean that a declawed cat with unexplained paw pain may benefit from further evaluation, sometimes including radiographs.
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This question requires an important distinction.

Declawing permanently changes toe anatomy and may affect movement and weight distribution.

Chronic pain and abnormal biomechanics may coexist with arthritis.

However, it would be too simplistic to say declawing directly causes arthritis in every cat.

Arthritis is common in cats, particularly as they age, regardless of declaw status.

Some studies suggest declawed cats may experience additional sensory and functional impairment when osteoarthritis is present.

A declawed cat showing mobility changes deserves evaluation for both arthritis and possible complications of the declaw procedure.
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Research has identified an association between declawing and back pain.

One retrospective study found that declawed cats had higher odds of back pain than non-declawed cats.

The association was particularly concerning in cats with retained bone fragments.

However, observational research cannot establish that every case of back pain was caused by declawing.

Other conditions, including osteoarthritis, can contribute.

The important message is that chronic discomfort may involve more than the paws themselves.
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This is one of the most important possible behavioral consequences.

Cats naturally dig and cover waste using their paws.

If the paws are painful or sensitive, certain litter textures may become uncomfortable.

A cat may begin associating the litter box with discomfort.

Possible changes include:

However, litter box problems have many possible causes.

Urinary disease, constipation, arthritis, stress, litter preferences, and other medical conditions must also be considered.

Never assume a declawed cat's litter box problem is purely behavioral.

And if your cat is straining to urinate or producing little or no urine, seek emergency veterinary care because urinary obstruction can be life-threatening.
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Some studies have found associations between declawing and increased biting or other unwanted behaviors.

One proposed explanation is that cats may rely more on biting when their claws are unavailable.

Pain and fear may also contribute to defensive behavior.

But this relationship is not proven for every cat.

Not every declawed cat becomes aggressive.

And not every biting cat is in pain.

The key is to evaluate the whole animal and the circumstances surrounding the behavior.
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Cats can be extremely subtle about discomfort.

Watch for:​

Some cats may have chronic pain without obvious limping.

Why These Changes Are Easy to Miss

Owners often interpret gradual changes as aging.

They may say:

“She doesn't jump onto the counter anymore.”

“He's just slowing down.”

“She doesn't like having her feet touched.”

But those changes can be signs of discomfort.

And for a declawed cat, paw pain deserves consideration alongside arthritis and other conditions.
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First, don't assume your cat is suffering simply because they're declawed.

Many declawed cats live affectionate, active lives.

But it's worthwhile to recognize potential problems and make their environment comfortable.

1. Tell Your Veterinarian About the Declaw History

Make sure the medical record reflects which paws were declawed.

This information may be relevant when evaluating lameness, chronic pain, or behavior changes.

2. Watch for Subtle Mobility Changes

Pay attention to jumping, walking, grooming, and activity.

Videos taken at home can help your veterinarian assess movement.

3. Make the Litter Box Comfortable

Consider:

4. Provide Easy Access to Favorite Places

Use:​

These accommodations can help cats who struggle with jumping or gripping.

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Excess weight places additional stress on the musculoskeletal system.

Maintaining a healthy body condition is particularly valuable for cats with mobility concerns.

6. Discuss Pain Management When Needed

If your veterinarian identifies chronic pain, treatment may involve medications, environmental changes, rehabilitation strategies, or management of coexisting arthritis.

Do not give human pain medications to cats.

Many are dangerous or potentially fatal.

7. Consider Further Diagnostics for Persistent Paw Pain

Radiographs may be appropriate when a veterinarian suspects retained bone fragments, abnormal regrowth, or other structural complications.

In selected cases, corrective surgery may be considered.
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Yes.

Removing a toe or part of a toe may be necessary to treat certain medical conditions.

Examples include:

These are therapeutic procedures performed to address a medical problem.

They're different from removing healthy claws to prevent scratching.

Opposition to elective declawing does not mean a veterinarian should avoid medically necessary toe amputation.
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Laser surgery is sometimes promoted as a less painful alternative.

Certain surgical techniques may influence bleeding, swelling, and short-term recovery.

However, laser declawing still involves removal of the third phalanx.

It does not preserve normal toe anatomy.

And it does not eliminate the possibility of long-term complications.

Changing the surgical instrument does not change what is being amputated.
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A tendonectomy involves cutting the tendon that allows a cat to extend its claws normally.

The claws remain, but the cat loses normal control over their extension.

This can create problems such as:

The Feline Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend tendonectomy as an alternative to declawing.

Fortunately, most scratching problems can be managed without surgery.

1. Provide Appropriate Scratching Posts

Cats have individual preferences.

Some prefer vertical scratching.

Others prefer horizontal surfaces.

Try:

A scratching post should be stable enough that it doesn't wobble when your cat stretches.

2. Put Scratchers Where Your Cat Actually Wants Them

Location matters.

Place scratchers:

Cats often scratch after waking.

A post near a favorite resting place can be especially useful.

3. Trim Nails Regularly

Regular nail trimming helps reduce damage from sharp claws.

Most cats can learn to tolerate gradual, gentle nail care.

Start slowly.

Handle the paws briefly.

Reward cooperation.

Avoid forcing the process.

4. Consider Nail Caps

Soft nail caps can reduce damage from scratching when fitted and maintained correctly.

They aren't appropriate for every cat.

Owners need to monitor them for fit, irritation, and normal shedding.

5. Use Positive Reinforcement

Reward your cat for using appropriate scratching surfaces.

Treats, praise, play, and catnip may help encourage the desired behavior.

Never punish scratching.

Punishment can increase fear and stress without addressing the underlying need.

6. Protect Furniture During Training

Temporary furniture protectors or appropriate deterrent surfaces may help while your cat learns where to scratch.

7. Provide Environmental Enrichment

Cats need opportunities to climb, explore, play, rest, and express normal behaviors.

Boredom and stress may contribute to increased scratching in some cats.

A well-designed environment can make unwanted scratching easier to manage.
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If your cat prefers the sofa, try this practical approach.

Step 1: Identify the surface and location your cat already prefers.

Step 2: Place a stable scratcher immediately beside that area.

Step 3: Choose a similar texture when possible.

Step 4: Encourage exploration using toys, catnip when appropriate, or treats.

Step 5: Reward your cat when they use the scratcher.

Step 6: Protect the furniture temporarily while the new habit develops.

Step 7: Once the cat reliably uses the scratcher, gradually adjust its placement if needed.

Don't force your cat's paws against the scratching post.

The goal is to make the appropriate behavior rewarding and natural.
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MYTH 1: “Declawing Is Just Permanent Nail Removal.”

FACT: Declawing removes the third bone of each affected toe.

MYTH 2: “Cats Don't Need Their Claws Indoors.”

FACT: Indoor cats still use their claws for normal stretching, scratching, climbing, and other behaviors.

MYTH 3: “Declawing Is Painless With Modern Surgery.”

FACT: It is a painful amputation procedure. Appropriate pain management reduces suffering but cannot eliminate every potential complication.

MYTH 4: “Laser Declawing Doesn't Change the Paw.”

FACT: Laser declawing still removes the last toe bone.

MYTH 5: “If a Declawed Cat Walks Normally, They Can't Be in Pain.”

FACT: Cats may hide pain or compensate for discomfort.

MYTH 6: “Every Declawed Cat Will Develop Arthritis.”

FACT: Arthritis has many causes. Declawing may affect biomechanics and chronic pain, but not every declawed cat develops arthritis.

MYTH 7: “Declawing Prevents Behavior Problems.”

FACT: Declawing does not address the natural motivation to scratch and may be associated with other behavioral concerns.

MYTH 8: “Cats Scratch Furniture to Be Destructive.”

FACT: Scratching is normal feline communication, stretching, and claw maintenance.

MYTH 9: “It's Too Late to Help an Older Declawed Cat.”

FACT: Environmental adjustments, veterinary pain assessment, and appropriate treatment can improve comfort and quality of life.

MYTH 10: “There's No Alternative to Declawing.”

FACT: Scratching posts, nail trimming, nail caps, positive reinforcement, and environmental changes offer humane options.
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One of the biggest advances in feline medicine is our growing understanding that cats need opportunities to behave like cats.

That includes scratching.

Scratching isn't simply a habit we should eliminate.

It's part of their physical and behavioral health.

Modern feline welfare emphasizes providing appropriate outlets for natural behaviors while reducing fear, pain, and stress.

This approach benefits both cats and their owners.

Instead of asking:

“How do we stop the cat from scratching?”

We can ask:

“How do we help the cat scratch in an appropriate place?”

That change in perspective makes an enormous difference.
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I know many people reading this article may have owned declawed cats.

Some may have requested the procedure years ago because their veterinarian offered it as a routine service.

Others may have adopted cats who were already declawed.

I don't want this conversation to become about blaming owners.

Veterinary medicine evolves.

Our understanding of pain evolves.

Our understanding of animal behavior evolves.

And when we learn more, we have a responsibility to do better.

What concerns me most about declawing is that the name makes the procedure sound so much smaller than it actually is.

We're not simply removing nails.

We're removing part of the toes of an animal that naturally walks on those toes.

That's a significant anatomical change.

And when the procedure is performed solely to protect furniture, we have to ask whether the potential consequences are justified when humane alternatives exist.

For cats who have already been declawed, our responsibility is to support their comfort.

Pay attention to how they move.

Recognize subtle signs of pain.

Make their environment easier to navigate.

And seek veterinary care when something changes.

For cats who still have their claws, let's give them appropriate places to scratch.

Our goal shouldn't be to change cats to fit our homes. It should be to create homes that support the cats we've chosen to love.
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Declawing is no longer supported as a routine elective procedure by leading feline veterinary organizations.

Remember:​

The most important lesson: Declawing doesn't simply remove a cat's claws. It changes the structure of the paws they depend on every day.


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