NH and MA Possibly Following NY’s Footsteps for Declawing Bans - National Humane Education Society

January 22, 2020

Legislators in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have recently introduced bills that would ban cat declawing, following New York’s landmark ban of the practice just last year.

Proponents of the ban, including many veterinarians and animal welfare activists, agree that declawing is an outdated and inhumane practice with severe physical and emotional effects to the animal. Opponents of the ban argue that the government should not dictate what medical procedures veterinarians can and cannot perform, according to a recent news article.

Here is a list of reasons why cats should not be declawed, and what you can do instead:

Declawing

• Declawing, known as onychectomy, is not the simple removal of the claw at the end of the cat’s toe. Rather, it entails amputation of the joint that hold the cat’s nail bed.
• Medically speaking, declawing is more analogous to amputating a finger than trimming a nail.
• Declawing is a painful procedure than can cause complications including infection.
• Following surgery, some cats become fearful or resort to biting after they realize they have lost a primary mode of defense.
• Because of pain in the paw, some cats may be reluctant to use a litter box.

Alternatives to Declawing

• Ask your veterinarian to show you how to clip your cat’s claw tips.
• Buy or make appropriate scratching posts. Many cats also enjoy corrugated cardboard.
• Place double-sided clear sticky tape on those places where your cat is doing the most damage. Cats do not like the feel of the sticky tape so will not go near those areas to scratch. Aluminum foil and the bumpy side of carpet runners are other deterrents.
• Learn to live with a bit of the wild inside your home. If you do not think you can live with an animal who has the innate need to scratch, do not get a cat or adopt one who has already been declawed.

Take Action: New Hampshire residents, contact your representatives, and Massachusetts residents contact your senators and tell them to support legislation to ban declawing animals in your state!