As your cat scratches your sofa to shreds, you might see their front claws as ten pointy reasons why you can’t have nice things. Or, you might see them as a safety hazard, especially if you have children or family members with certain health issues. But while it can be tough to tame those tiny talons, cat experts warn against resorting to declawing surgery.
“Scratching is a natural instinct for cats — it helps them mark their territory, stretch and maintain the health of their claws. When we take that away, it can lead to confusion and frustration,” says Cristy Brusoe, certified feline behaviorist and founder of Cat Training by Cristy. “I always advocate for non-invasive solutions when it comes to managing scratching. Declawing is a painful procedure for cats and it has both physical and behavioral consequences.”
To find out what to do when your cat’s claws are tearing your life apart, we asked veterinarians and behaviorists why cats scratch, why many veterinarians no longer perform declaw surgery and the best feline-friendly alternatives to declawing to protect your family and furniture.
Why do cats scratch?
Your cat’s claws are far more than just a set of needle-pointed upholstery destroyers. They’re intrinsic to the way your cat interacts with the world around them. Dr. Joanne Fernandez-Lopez, veterinarian and director of veterinary affairs at ABCs Puppy Zs, shares three important reasons cats need their claws:
- To mark their territory. Cats have scent glands in their paws that release pheromones when they scratch vertical surfaces. This behavior can be exacerbated, though, when they feel insecure or territorial, which can happen with lifestyle changes like moving house or a new cat joining the family.
- To self-soothe. As your cat feels the resistance of the fabric under their claws, their brain releases feel-good neurotransmitters called endorphins, which can instantly resolve feelings of stress, boredom or overstimulation.
- To sharpen their claws. Cats’ claws grow differently than your nails or those of other animals. Instead of growing in length, they grow in layers. Every few weeks, they must scratch to help shed a dull outermost husk to reveal sharp new growth.
When it comes to your skin, you might run into your cat’s claws if they’re feeling threatened, or if they’re playing too rough. From playful pounces to stressed-out swipes, all unwanted scratching can be mitigated through behavioral modification or simple changes to make your home more cat-friendly.
What does it mean to declaw a cat?
There are several methods used for declawing surgery and unfortunately, all of these methods are linked to life-long side physical and behavioral side effects. Fernandez-Lopez describes the types of declaw surgery and the harmful side effects that come with even newer surgical methods:
Onychectomy
Also known as traditional declawing, this is the surgical amputation of the last bone of each of the cat’s front toes. This may be done with a scalpel or a sterilized guillotine-style nail clipper.
Tendonectomy
A newer technique that does not involve amputation. Instead, the surgeon severs the tendon that allows the claw to extend. The cat will no longer be able to scratch, but the claw will still grow. Cats that have undergone tendonectomy will need claw trims for the rest of their life to prevent the claw from growing into the paw pad.
“It’s not a necessary surgery and in that sense is unnatural for the cat and robs them of a major defense system and the ability to scratch themselves with their front paws if they’re itching.”
—Stephen Quandt, certified cat behaviorist
What are the side effects of declawing a cat?
Stephen Quandt, certified cat behaviorist and founder of Stephen Quandt Feline Behavior Associates says decades of research and anecdotal evidence link declaw procedures to long-term physical and behavioral issues.
Adverse side-effects of declawing include:
- Litter box avoidance. Declawing makes it painful for cats to dig in their litter, which can lead to negative associations with using their litter box and can lead to inappropriate elimination.
- Regrowth of improperly removed claws. Unsuccessful declaw surgery can lead to nerve damage and bone spurs.
- Back pain and arthritis. Chronic pain issues can cause cats to alter their gait in unnatural ways, which can contribute to painful orthopedic issues.
- Excessive grooming. Cats may groom obsessively to the point of hair loss and skin inflammation, which can be triggered by chronic pain or stress.
- Increased biting. Scratching is a cat’s first line of defense; some may resort to biting when they can no longer use their claws.
Quandt emphasizes that studies have been inconclusive about the frequency at which cats experience lingering side effects after declawing. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery suggests that declawed cats are significantly more likely to experience signs of chronic pain and unwanted behaviors like biting and overgrooming.
Yet in a 2016 study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, cats observed in a large shelter near Seattle were not found to be more likely to be biters if they were declawed, but had longer shelter stays, suggesting that their declaw status may make them less attractive to potential adopters even if they did not experience long-term side effects.
That said, he stresses that there are plenty of ways to stop unwanted scratching without putting your cat’s health and happiness at risk.
“It’s not a necessary surgery and in that sense is unnatural for the cat and robs them of a major defense system and the ability to scratch themselves with their front paws if they’re itching,” says Quandt.
What are the best alternatives to declawing a cat?
Experts agree that the best alternatives to declawing involve understanding your cat’s behaviors and offering appropriate outlets for their urge to scratch. “Scratching is a natural behavior and there are many compassionate ways to manage it without resorting to declawing,” says Brusoe.
Try these alternatives to declawing:
1. Provide appropriate scratching surfaces
You can satisfy your cat’s need to scratch — while sparing your furniture — by giving your cat adequate surfaces to sharpen their nails. “Offer a variety of scratching surfaces like vertical posts, horizontal pads and different textures, like sisal, cardboard and carpet. Position them near areas where your cat likes to scratch,” Brusoe recommends.
2. Use gentle deterrents
Often, making surfaces unpleasant to scratch can cause your cat to lose interest and break the habit for good. Aluminum foil may do the trick, or you can try double-sided tape. You can also try a deterrent spray, which contains a fragrance that’s harmless yet unpleasant to cats.
3. Trim your cat’s nails
You can reduce the damage incurred by your cat’s nails by trimming the sharp tips with clippers every few weeks.
4. Apply soft nail caps
Nail caps are soft, rubbery caps that temporarily block your cat’s nails from scratching without impeding natural behaviors, like retracting and detracting their claws. They’re simple to use — you’ll use a special glue to apply a cap to each freshly trimmed claw. Nail caps can last around six to eight weeks until the outer nail sheath is shed.
5. Protect your furniture
There are myriad options for protecting your furniture from your cat’s claws without diminishing its aesthetic. Clear vinyl protectors create a slippery surface that your cat can’t sink their claws into. Or, if you don’t mind the look, you can place sisal panels that turn your furniture into a cat-proof, claw-friendly fixture.
6. Wait it out
Many cats mellow out as they get older, just a few months after their most playful periods. Often, rough play and destructive scratching lessen or stop completely by the time your cat matures.
“Our goal should be to manage and redirect [scratching] appropriately rather than eliminate it entirely.”
—Dr. Joanne Fernandez-Lopez, veterinarian
Is declawing still legal?
Some U.S. states have outlawed all declawing procedures, including New York, Virginia and Maryland, and it’s also illegal in many countries including the UK. In regions where declawing is still legal, professional organizations advise against it but allow veterinarians to decide whether or not to perform the surgery.
“It’s important to note that none of these techniques are considered humane by most veterinary professionals and animal welfare organizations,” says Fernandez-Lopez. “The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), has come to shy away from domestic cat declawing procedures. With this comes some gaps in guidance as they give way to professional judgment. All methods will cause pain and can lead to long-term complications.”
Keeping humans safe from cat scratches
If your concerns lie not with your upholstery, but with the well-being of your human family members, experts explain that preventing scratches is best resolved by training your family, not just your feline. Experts recommend treating underlying anxiety and aggression, which can persist or even worsen after declaw surgery.
- Avoid over-handling. Does your cat actually enjoy being picked up and cuddled — or do they just tolerate it? For some cats, constant pestering is a sure way to get the claws to come out.
- Respect their boundaries. Learn and teach your family members to recognize signs of discomfort before your cat escalates to scratching and biting.
- Give your cat plenty of toys. Use plush cat toys and wands to place distance between your hands and your cat’s playful paws.
- Use pheromone diffusers. Consider trying sprays or plug-in diffusers that contain synthetic forms of cat pheromones, which stimulate calmness in anxious cats.
- Use protective gear (e.g., long sleeves) when handling anxious or aggressive cats.
The bottom line
While pet parents have valid concerns surrounding their cat’s claws, experts agree it’s not a reason to surrender or subject a cat to a painful, invasive procedure. Pet parents still struggling with scratching can talk to their veterinarian or work with a feline behaviorist to curb unwanted behaviors.
“Our goal should be to manage and redirect [scratching] appropriately rather than eliminate it entirely. With patience and the right approach, most scratching issues can be resolved without resorting to declawing,” advises Fernandez-Lopez.
