Declawing Cats: What the Surgery Actually Involves
Declawing a cat is not a nail trim. It is surgery. A vet removes the last bone in each toe. That is the same as cutting off your finger at the last knuckle. Two top vet groups, the AVMA and the AAFP, now call it an amputation, not grooming. Both groups say vets should avoid it unless there is no other choice. A 2017 study found that most declawed cats keep small bone pieces in their paws after surgery. Those cats had more back pain and more behavior problems for the rest of their lives. Six states, and a growing list of cities, now ban or limit the surgery. Here is what declawing really involves, what the research shows, and what to do instead if scratching is the real problem.
In this article
- What declawing actually is, step by step
- What veterinary groups now say about it
- What the research says happens afterward
- Where declawing is banned or restricted
- What declawing costs, if a vet still offers it
- What to do instead
- Declawing vs. the alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
What declawing actually is, step by step
Most people picture declawing as pulling out a claw, like removing a fake nail. That is not what happens. A cat's claw grows straight out of the last bone in each toe. To stop the claw from growing back, a vet must remove that whole bone.
The medical name for this is onychectomy. Vets do it in one of a few ways.
The scalpel method
A vet uses a small blade to cut through the joint. This removes the last bone of each toe. It is the oldest method. It also carries the highest risk of leaving small bone pieces behind.
The guillotine clipper method
A tool much like a large nail clipper cuts straight through the bone. It is faster than the scalpel method. But it can crush tissue, and it is more likely to leave a bone piece in the paw.
Laser surgery
A laser cuts and seals the skin at the same time. This can mean less bleeding and a faster walk back to normal. But it still removes the same bone. It is not a gentler version of declawing. It is just a different tool for the same surgery.
No matter the method, a cat wakes up missing the last knuckle on each front toe. That is usually all ten toes, if both front paws are done. The paws get bandaged. Cats then need soft, special litter for weeks while they heal.
What veterinary groups now say about it
For decades, many vet clinics offered declawing as a routine step, often bundled with a spay or neuter. That has changed. The American Veterinary Medical Association now says this surgery causes sharp pain right away. It can also lead to lasting pain, changed behavior, and real harm. The group tells vets to avoid it unless there is no other way to protect the cat's health, like removing a tumor in the toe.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners takes an even firmer stand. It opposes declawing except for real medical need. Both groups now tell vets to explain the surgery, its risks, and the alternatives before ever booking it. That is a big shift from a generation ago, when many owners were told declawing was simple and safe.
What the research says happens afterward
The best look at long-term effects came from three vets: Nicole Martell-Moran, Mauricio Solano, and Hugh Townsend. They studied 274 cats, half declawed and half not. They published their results in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery in 2017.
Their x-rays found something striking. 63% of declawed cats still had small bone pieces left in their paws after surgery. This happened even when a skilled vet did the work. Cats with those leftover bone pieces were more likely to get back pain later in life. Declawed cats also bit more, acted more aggressive, and skipped the litter box more often than cats with claws. The researchers linked these problems back to ongoing pain and a new, harder way of walking without claws.
Claws do more than scratch. A cat uses them to stretch its back and shoulders, to keep its balance, and to defend itself when scared. Take the claws away, and some cats start to bite instead. Others avoid the litter box because standing in it now hurts their paws.
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Where declawing is banned or restricted
Lawmakers are starting to catch up with the research. New York banned elective declawing first, in 2019. Maryland followed in 2022. Virginia passed its own ban in 2024. California's statewide ban started on January 1, 2026. Massachusetts and Rhode Island also limit the practice. Several cities outside those states have passed their own local bans too.
In states with no ban, declawing is still legal. But it is worth asking any vet who offers it how often they actually recommend it, and why, given where the top vet groups now stand.
What declawing costs, if a vet still offers it
Where it is still legal, declawing usually costs $100 to $500 or more per cat. The price depends on the method, whether the vet uses a laser, the cat's age, and where you live. Cost is not a good reason to pick it over the alternatives below. Most alternatives cost a small fraction of that price, and none carry the same lasting risks.
What to do instead
Scratching is not bad behavior. It is normal and healthy. It sheds the old outer layer of the claw, marks territory with scent from the paws, and stretches the whole body. The goal is not to stop scratching. It is to give your cat the right spot to do it.
Give scratching posts a fair chance
Many cats reject a post because of its material, height, or spot in the room. Try a few textures, like sisal rope, cardboard, and carpet. Put at least one post near where your cat already likes to scratch or nap.
Trim nails every one to two weeks
Regular trims dull the tip of the claw, so it does less damage to furniture. This is simple and cheap. Many owners skip it until the damage is already done.
Try soft nail caps
Vinyl caps glue over the claw and cover the sharp tip for four to six weeks at a time. They do not stop a cat from scratching. They just stop the scratching from causing damage.
Use double-sided tape or foil on furniture
Cats hate the sticky feel of tape and the sound of foil. A short strip on a favorite spot can push the habit toward a nearby post instead.
Ask your vet about stress-driven scratching
Sometimes sudden or rough scratching is tied to stress, not normal claw care. A vet can rule out pain or anxiety before you assume your cat just needs more training.
Declawing vs. the alternatives
This table lines up declawing against the most common alternatives, so the tradeoffs are easy to see at a glance.
| Option | What it does | Typical cost | Long-term risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Declawing (onychectomy) | Removes the last bone of each toe permanently | $100 to $500+ per cat | Chronic pain, bone fragments, higher rates of biting and litter box avoidance |
| Scratching posts | Gives claws an approved outlet | $15 to $60 | None |
| Regular nail trims | Blunts the claw tip | Free at home, $10 to $20 at a groomer | None |
| Soft nail caps | Covers the sharp tip for weeks at a time | $10 to $20 per set | None, needs reapplying as claws grow |
Once you set this up at home, claw care becomes routine, not a source of damaged furniture. If you are bringing home a second cat, our guide on how to introduce two cats covers another common cause of stress scratching in the first few weeks. Our post on how long cats live looks at other big care choices that come with owning a cat.
Frequently asked questions
Is declawing the same as a nail trim?
No. A nail trim only shortens the claw. Declawing removes the whole bone that the claw grows from. Then the claw can never grow back. It is surgery, not a grooming step.
Do vets still perform declawing?
Some do, in states where it is still legal. But the AVMA and AAFP both say to avoid it unless there is a real medical reason, like a tumor. Many vets now refuse to do it just for convenience, and will walk owners through the alternatives instead.
Is declawing illegal in my state?
New York, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and California all ban or tightly limit elective declawing as of 2026. Some cities in other states have their own local bans too. Check your exact state and city rules, since laws can change.
Can a declawed cat still go outside?
It is riskier. Claws are a cat's main way to defend itself and climb to safety. A declawed cat that gets outside has a harder time escaping danger. Most vets say declawed cats should stay indoors only.
What if my cat is already declawed and I am adopting it?
Plenty of declawed cats live full, happy lives. This is easier with soft bedding, gentle litter, and an indoor-only home. Watch for signs of pain, like not wanting to jump or a change in how they walk. Tell your vet if you notice either one.
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