# Should declawing cats be illegal? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [May 17, 2016, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970 "2016-05-17T06:08:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2016, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/181 "2016-05-21T21:41:32Z")
Not only hunt, but my two declawed cats “sharpen” their non-existent claws on the furniture, without causing damage. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/182 "2016-05-22T03:56:33Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Not “hunt” but truly still hunt. Both of my cats were adopted as adults, and the one who came to me pre-declawed catches 10x as many mice in the cellar as the one who has claws. My mil had a cat whose front claws had been removed. She was a mighty huntress, and took out prey as large as a ground hog. They can definitely hunt without claws. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/183 "2016-05-22T06:01:28Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Yup. The coyote is a danger to anything smaller than a German Shepherd. People shoot coyotes all the time, and just leave the bodies, because they are a huge threat to pets and livestock. I know people with an irrational hatred of coyotes. I assure you, there is nothing irrational about hatred of coyotes. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/184 "2016-05-22T14:52:21Z")
> [@elfkin477](#): > > Not “hunt” but truly still hunt. Both of my cats were adopted as adults, and the one who came to me pre-declawed catches 10x as many mice in the cellar as the one who has claws. My sister’s cat continued to stalk, catch and kill birds after being declawed. And wearing a bell. It took less than a day after being belled for her to figure how to modify her movements so the bell didn’t ring. The only thing she couldn’t do that she could before being declawed was climb the curtains. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/185 "2016-05-22T15:05:13Z")
Could she climb trees? Or scratching poles? My cats routinely climb up our 5’ scratching poles, and the outdoor cat climbs trees. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/186 "2016-05-22T16:00:34Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > Yup. The coyote is a danger to anything smaller than a German Shepherd. People shoot coyotes all the time, and just leave the bodies, because they are a huge threat to pets and livestock. I know people with an irrational hatred of coyotes … [snip] When I was hunting coyote we were to cut the ears off and bring them in for the bounty … not that I ever actually successful mind you … but I met a few people who were making something of a living doing this. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/187 "2016-05-22T18:00:17Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I assure you, there is nothing irrational about hatred of coyotes. Well…they are just doing what coyotes do. It isn’t _personal_ that they ate your cat/dog/sheep/calf/chicken/pet rabbit/small child. They’re just trying to keep their poor little hungry pups fed. Poor little hungry pups - how can you hate this little [face](http://esmithphoto.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v149/p1010149314-3.jpg) :D? ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/188 "2016-05-22T18:36:58Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Could she climb trees? Or scratching poles? My cats routinely climb up our 5’ scratching poles, and the outdoor cat climbs trees. Trees were no problem. She could grip the bark with her paws long enough to get her back legs up and hang on. If scratching “poles” were any kind of a thing back then, it would have something that crazy cat ladies did. She had no problem jumping on top of her 1 1/2 foot scratching post. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/189 "2016-05-22T18:44:55Z")
> **[8 Reasons Why You Should Never Declaw Your Cats | PETA](https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/8-reasons-never-declaw-cats/)** > > Declawing isn't like a manicure. It's a painful and permanently crippling procedure. Here are reasons never to declaw your cat. Yes it should be illegal , it’s in other countries, here are some reasons it needs to be illegal in all states in USA ! ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/190 "2016-05-22T18:52:49Z")
The Oregon legislature seemed to have failed even making the declawing of cats as a condition of tenancy illegal … maybe next session … Free speech … use it … I may not agree with your speech but you do need to keep speaking … ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/191 "2016-05-22T19:52:02Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > [http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/8-reasons-never-declaw-cats/](http://www.peta.org/living/companion-animals/8-reasons-never-declaw-cats/) > Yes it should be illegal , it’s in other countries, here are some reasons it needs to be illegal in all states in USA ! Every single one of those “reasons” has been thoroughly debunked. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/192 "2016-05-22T20:19:48Z")
> [@](#): > > Cats refuse to use a litter box for the rest of their lives, or just while their paws are healing? Again, I never heard of this, so I will need an unbiased cite. For the rest of their lives. I can give you lots of webpages stating this, but I suspect you’ll claim they are all biased. Admittedly, there are few published studies on this topic, and among those that are published most are, as far as I can tell, garbage. They rely on owner’s reports of their pets behavior, which is well known to be highly inaccurate. I happen to know a lot of people who work in animal rescue and they all universally state that the #1 reason why declawed cats are surrendered is litter box issues. They also believe that declawed cats are at higher risk of being dumped/surrendered compared to intact cats, possibly because owners who seek surgical solutions to behavioral problems are not all that invested in their pet. Even if the cats suffered zero pain or physical problems from having their toes chopped off, simply on theoretical grounds the idea of surgically altering an animal in order to fix a behavioral problem that can easily be changed by training is appalling. Do we chop off the hands of pickpockets? Amputate the feet of people who drive too fast? Cut out the tongues of stand-up comics who aren’t funny? ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2016, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/193 "2016-05-22T23:52:06Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Every single one of those “reasons” has been thoroughly debunked. Horsefeathers, the first three and the last one are true. The claws are connected to the last phalange, the cut is made on that bone. Cats claw things to dull them down a bit, and otherwise keep them healthy (not to mention territory marking). You’ll find out a cat’s first line of defense when you try to bathe them. Most of Europe bans the practice. The other four … meh … not enough scientific evidence either way … I’d go with just debunked, not thoroughly. I hope your proud of yourself making me defend PETA … that’s surprising difficult thing to do generally. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/194 "2016-05-23T00:13:50Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > I assure you, there is nothing irrational about hatred of coyotes. I mean, they could become irrational in their apoplectic hatred. They’d become tongue-tied and red-faced, practically smoke coming out of their ears if someone mentioned coyotes. No, if you are a subsistence farmer, or your Yorkie has been attacked by a coyote, there is nothing irrational about your hatred. However, hunting them with your 4x4 is a bit much. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/195 "2016-05-23T01:24:20Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > For the rest of their lives. I can give you lots of webpages stating this, but I suspect you’ll claim they are all biased. > > Admittedly, there are few published studies on this topic, and among those that are published most are, as far as I can tell, garbage. They rely on owner’s reports of their pets behavior, which is well known to be highly inaccurate. > > I happen to know a lot of people who work in animal rescue and they all universally state that the #1 reason why declawed cats are surrendered is litter box issues. They also believe that declawed cats are at higher risk of being dumped/surrendered compared to intact cats, possibly because owners who seek surgical solutions to behavioral problems are not all that invested in their pet. > > Even if the cats suffered zero pain or physical problems from having their toes chopped off, simply on theoretical grounds the idea of surgically altering an animal in order to fix a behavioral problem that can easily be changed by training is appalling. Do we chop off the hands of pickpockets? Amputate the feet of people who drive too fast? Cut out the tongues of stand-up comics who aren’t funny? I suspect your cause and effect is sometimes backwards. The cats aren’t great cats - and in an attempt to make them less aggressive (or their aggression tolerable) the owners declaw the cat. But that doesn’t solve the personality problem - and the cat may take to other methods to act out - such as litterbox avoidance. There isn’t a ton you can do if the cat has decided to make your life miserable. Some cats aren’t motivated to please you at all. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/196 "2016-05-23T15:59:49Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > Horsefeathers, the first three and the last one are true Well, the first is “trueish”. You remove the phalanges but that doesn’t make it equivalent to a human having their finger digits cut off. Paws aren’t hands. The next two are true but not necessarily relevant. You should keep your declawed cats indoors (really, any house cats) so they don’t need a first line of defense. And a declawed cat can still lead a happy, healthy life. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/197 "2016-05-23T16:14:41Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > For the rest of their lives. I can give you lots of webpages stating this, but I suspect you’ll claim they are all biased. Funny you should pick that claim to try to defend. **Jophiel** has already provided an unbiased cite showing that your claim was false. I guess it is safe to assume your other claims about cats waking up screaming from a declaw when they don’t do so after other surgeries is equally fictitious. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/198 "2016-05-23T16:55:14Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > … the idea of surgically altering an animal in order to fix a behavioral problem that can easily be changed by training is appalling… I once had a cat who liked to scratch the furniture. I tried all sorts of things to stop him. I have him nice scratching posts, i praised him for using them, i yelled at him and sprayed him with water when he scratched the furniture. I have no idea how you easily train a cat not to scratch. But i dunt think it’s that easy. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/199 "2016-05-23T19:14:16Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Poor little hungry pups - how can you hate this little [face](http://esmithphoto.zenfolio.com/img/s6/v149/p1010149314-3.jpg) :D? I would shoot that right in that face! > [@RivkahChaya](#): > > However, \*\*hunting them with your 4x4 \*\*is a bit much. Have you been spying on me? ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970/200 "2016-05-23T19:35:43Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Well, the first is “trueish”. You remove the phalanges but that doesn’t make it equivalent to a human having their finger digits cut off. Paws aren’t hands. The diagram shows the cut made at the first joint, just taking the fingertips and nails off, not the whole finger. > [@Jophiel](#): > > The next two are true but not necessarily relevant. You should keep your declawed cats indoors (really, any house cats) so they don’t need a first line of defense. And a declawed cat can still lead a happy, healthy life. I agree with this … especially the part about keeping all house cats indoors … safest and healthiest for the cat. The problem with anything PETA says is that if you suggest objective scientific research, they’re gonna blow a fuse. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-declawing-cats-be-illegal/754970.md?page=9)