This past Thursday, January 9, 2025, Governor Maura Healey of Massachusetts signed an Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing into law. This law makes it illegal to declaw cats except if a medical issue, such as cancer in the nail bed, requires it.
This is a significant step forward to prevent cats from going through this inhumane procedure that is comparable to if a human were to have the last knuckle in their finger amputated. A procedure that can also cause your cat to have lifelong medical issues.
Unfortunately, this practice is still legal in most of the United States. New York and Maryland are the only other states that have banned this procedure. Although many veterinarians no longer support the declawing of cats, if more people knew exactly what happens during this procedure, they would understand why it is inhumane.
Understanding the declawing procedures
It is essential that people are provided with information about declawing cats so that they can make an educated decision regarding their feline companions.
Declawing a cat requires that the entire claw be removed, and due to their nails being attached to their knuckles, all or a third of the bone from their paws must be removed. This can be done through Blade Declawing when an instrument with a sliding blade cuts a straight line between the joint where the claw is attached and the rest of the paw. Another way is through Laser Declawing, where a laser removes the third bone in the paw.
Declawing alternatives
Cats instinctively need to scratch various surfaces. This is a way to keep their nails clean and in good shape. They are not aware that this behavior may appear destructive to their owners. These behaviors do not mean that they should be declawed. Instead, consider these alternatives.
Firstly, behavioral training is most effective for kittens but not impossible for adult cats. All that is needed is something to redirect a cat's scratching energy, such as a toy or scratching post.
There is also a product known as soft claws (or nail caps), vinyl caps that adhere to the cat's nail using surgical adhesive. To do so requires patience and dedication from the owner since it takes time for their cat to get used to wearing them, and they must be replaced every four to six weeks.
People can also try trimming their nails every one to two weeks. This can be a great alternative to declawing. Although it may be less effective, this method stops cats from constantly sharpening their nails.
Other alternatives include using a pheromone spray or plug-in to help relieve any stress a cat may feel or applying sticky tape or tinfoil to the surfaces needing protection. Also, never forget to give positive reinforcement whenever cats use the appropriate toys or scratching posts.
Cats scratch things; it's their nature. Instead of putting a cat through an invasive medical procedure like declawing that could bring them more harm down the road, look into alternatives. Declawing should be universally banned to ensure the well-being of cats everywhere.
Hopefully, many states will follow Massachusetts's example and ban cat declawing throughout the United States. Sen. Mark Montigny (D-Second Bristol and Plymouth) said, "Declawing is an abhorrent practice that most veterinarians view as inhumane, but it is also a procedure that is widely misunderstood and requested by owners."