Cat declawing — surgical amputation of the last toe bone to remove claws — causes chronic pain and behavioral changes in many cats, and has been banned in multiple countries while remaining common in North America.
Cats after declawing experience acute surgical pain and may develop chronic neuropathic pain from nerve damage. Behavioral changes including increased biting and inappropriate elimination indicate ongoing discomfort. The procedure solves a human problem (furniture scratching) at the cost of the cat's welfare. Effective alternatives make declawing medically unnecessary in virtually all circumstances.