The practice of declawing cats has come under renewed scrutiny following research revealing its long-lasting and painful consequences. A study conducted by a team led by Eric Troncy at the Groupe de recherche en pharmacologie animale du Québec (GREPAQ) at Université de Montréal demonstrates that declawing can cause irreversible nerve damage and chronic suffering in cats. The findings highlight the urgent need for a global ban on the practice.
Declawing is often misunderstood as a simple nail trimming process; however, it involves amputating the last phalanx of each toe, typically on the front paws. The surgical methods can include using a scalpel or laser, which raises significant ethical concerns. In a statement from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the organization acknowledged in 2022 that “there is conflicting scientific evidence about the implications of declawing,” a reflection of the existing gaps in long-term research.
The impetus for this study arose from a personal commitment to animal welfare that Troncy developed during his veterinary training. After obtaining his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1992, he was astonished to find declawing still prevalent in North America, despite its ban in the European Union that same year. This disparity motivated him to investigate the true impact of declawing on feline health.
Through a decade-long research effort, the team compared healthy cats with those suffering from osteoarthritis and another group of declawed cats with the same condition. They employed a range of non-invasive pain measurement techniques and discovered alarming results. The study, published in Nature Scientific Reports, found that declawed cats exhibited long-term nerve damage, heightened pain sensitivity, and worsened mobility issues, particularly among heavier cats.
The research revealed that the nervous systems of declawed cats become overloaded, leading to chronic fatigue and hypersensitivity. These findings clarify the misconception that declawing is a minor procedure. Instead, it represents a significant alteration to a cat’s anatomy, leading to behavioral changes such as reluctance to jump, avoidance of litter boxes due to pain, and increased aggression.
The evidence has prompted strong reactions from the veterinary community. Troncy noted, “Declawing is not routine surgery but, rather, an ethically unacceptable practice with serious and lasting consequences.” He advocates for veterinarians to educate pet owners about the severe implications of declawing and to promote alternative methods, such as behavioral training and proper nail trimming.
As of March 2024, declawing has been banned in Quebec, yet it remains widespread in many parts of North America. It is estimated that by 2025, around 25 million cats in North America will still undergo this procedure, underscoring the need for further action.
Veterinary organizations, including the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the AVMA, are urged to incorporate the latest scientific findings into their policies to protect feline welfare. The call is clear: it is time to ban declawing globally and to prioritize the health and well-being of cats over convenience for their owners.
