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Declawing cats is widely viewed as unethical if not outright cruelty. The claw is not the only thing removed: bones must also be taken out of the cat’s feet. The procedure is akin to amputating human fingers up to the first knuckle. Studies have shown declawing causes cats physical pain, renders them helpless against other animals, and brings on negative behavioural changes.
While the practice is legal in Canada, many veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure on ethical grounds. To date, the strongest rebuke of declawing has come from the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association. They recently changed their code of ethics so that veterinarians in the province can no longer perform non-necessary declawing.
Some countries have recognised in law that the health and well-being of a cat is more important than keeping pristine window drapes. The United Kingdom, most countries of the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and several American cities have outlawed the practice of declawing.
Is declawing a cat in non-essential cases unethical and/or cruel? Should the practice be banned by law?
