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Cat declawing is a procedure that requires the removal of a section of bone attached to the claw, and opponents of the procedure have described it as barbaric, likening it to cutting off the tips of fingers and toes to remove nails.
Declawing can negatively affect a cat’s quality of life, compromising their welfare, and because of these objections, cat declawing is illegal in the UK as well as several other countries in Europe and across the world. Conversely, cat declawing is legal in most of the US, where cats are more often kept as indoor pets and not allowed to venture outside the house. Some individual cities have banned the declawing of cats, and some states are looking into making the procedure illegal.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Cats
Historically, UK households have let their cats roam outdoors. Outdoor cats can use items like trees and even fence posts to scratch, which means that they are less prone to scratching furniture and other indoor items. The trend is changing, however, and while only 15% of UK cats were kept exclusively as indoor cats in 2011, the figure was around 26% in 2019, and is now more likely well above 30%.1
Pet safety and increases in traffic and general urbanisation have led to this change in cat keeping. However, it is very unlikely that a swing to indoor cat ownership will lead to a change in the law.
Only For Medical Purposes
Declawing as an elective procedure is banned in the UK, unless there is a medical reason for it, such as cancer or a non-healing wound on the affected digit. This is very different from declawing the cat due to scratching, which is natural feline behavior and should not be stopped.
A Last Resort
Declawing can still occur in the UK, but only where it is considered an absolute last resort. For example, if the alternative to a cat being declawed is euthanisation, a vet can apply to the veterinary council to be permitted to perform the procedure. This is very rare.
The Law
Declawing cats was only outlawed in the UK in 2006, as part of a law passed to safeguard and protect pets. Even prior to this, though, it was very rare for cats to be declawed in the UK. Even if a cat owner was able to find somebody willing to undertake the procedure, there is a fine of up to £20,000 for having the procedure done.
The Declawing Procedure
The other name for a declawing procedure is onychectomy. During this procedure, the surgeon not only removes the claws but also a piece of bone attached to the claws. This is considered the only way to effectively remove the whole claw.
The procedure is considered a painful one, and some vets and charities argue that the cat continues to suffer long after the procedure has been completed. Sometimes, the removal is not completed properly, causing ongoing discomfort and pain. Studies suggest that the quality of life of declawed cats is reduced and their welfare needs endangered, due to several long-term health and behavioral complications, including back pain, limping, inappropriate toileting, biting, overgrooming, and aggression.
Declawing is done under general anaesthesia, and there are always risks associated with giving cats anaesthesia, as well as with surgical procedures in general, such as the risk of infection, bleeding, or delayed wound healing.
Finally, it is possible that removing claws can impact balance as well as lead to difficulty walking and jumping, especially in the early postoperative period. The cat will walk differently after the procedure because they are unable to put weight on the end digits on their paws, and need time to get used to this change.
How to Stop a Cat From Clawing Furniture
While some owners believe cats scratch to sharpen their claws, it’s not that simple. Cats scratch to keep their claws in top form because it is an inherently natural thing to do. One of the most common reasons for people to declaw cats is to prevent them from scratching people or damaging items around the home. Scratching is a feline’s natural behavior and can be managed with a proper environmental setup and enrichment. While scratching, cats also stretch their back and muscles, helping their body relax while leaving scent around.
- Offer Scratching Posts – Scratching is a natural requirement for cats. They do it to sharpen their claws, remove dead parts of the claw sheath, to practice for any encounters in the wild, and also because scratching stretches muscles and spreads pheromones—it is a form of scenting, similar to rubbing their head on your leg. As such, cats need something to scratch. If your cat goes outside, they will likely be scratching trees, fences, and other hard objects. Whether your cat is an indoor cat or is given free rein to the outside world, it is also a good idea to have scratch posts around the house.
- Encourage Positive Scratching – Place the scratch post near where your cat has been scratching. Hopefully, they will move their scratching habit from the furniture to the post. You can discourage them from scratching furniture by making a short, loud noise when they do it. You should also encourage positive scratching. Praise your cat, give them love, offer a treat, or play with them (whatever their preferred method of praise is) when they scratch the new post. If you keep doing this, it will reinforce positive behaviour.
- Use Scratching Deterrents – Scratching deterrents vary from solid physical barriers to prevent scratching to deterrent sprays. Cats are known to dislike citrus smells, so there are citrus-based sprays that can be used to this end.
Conclusion
Cat declawing is illegal in the UK, with opponents saying that the declawing process, which involves the removal of the bones attached to the claws, is inhumane and that it can cause a lifetime of suffering in cats that have to endure it. And, while more cats are being kept as exclusively indoor cats in the UK, it is highly unlikely that the current law, which was enacted in 2006, will change, due to welfare concerns that surround declawing.
See Also:
- Here’s Why Declawing Cats Is Illegal in Australia
- Cat Declawing: Dangers, Alternatives & FAQ (Vet Answer)
Featured Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock
