Cats are natural scratchers, and their scratching can be among their most annoying habits. Your couch, your pants, your child – none of these are things you want scratched. Some people think that removing the cats claws might solve this problem, but declawing is a drastic step, and we encourage you to try every other possible solution instead.

Declawing a cat is far more than a severe toenail clipping. A cat’s claws are actually attached to the bone, so removing them requires actually amputating the toe at the first joint. This is real surgery, done under general anesthesia. Then, unless you have trained your cat to stay in bed for a week, the cat will have to walk and use the litter box on those post-surgical feet. Ouch!


Once your cat has recovered from the surgery, it will have to remain an indoor cat for the rest of its life. Claws are a cat’s main defense system, and you don’t want your defenseless cat wandering the neighborhood facing off with local dogs or other cats. And without the ability to use its claws for resistance as it stretches, your cat will, over time, lose muscle tone, which will also make outdoor activities problematic.

So while a very scratchy cat might cause you tremendous problems, try scratching posts, try training, try using plastic nail caps, try anything you can think of. The Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are both officially against declawing.






We went to reliable sources for the above information, but don’t forget – we’re just cats and dogs. Always consult a veterinarian, professional trainer or other expert.