Cat declawing removes the last bone of each toe and causes lasting pain and behavioral problems, and has been banned in many countries but continues in others.
Declawing cats causes genuine lasting harm that is disproportionate to the problem it solves. The amputation of the last bone of each toe is not simply removal of the nails - it removes the equivalent of the tips of human fingers. Cats walk on their toes, and the altered biomechanics following declawing causes lasting changes to gait and weight distribution that can produce chronic pain. Studies consistently find that declawed cats have higher rates of pain-related behavioral problems including litter box avoidance and biting. The behavioral problems that declawing was meant to prevent - scratching furniture - can be effectively managed through scratching posts, regular nail trimming, and soft nail caps. There is simply no welfare justification for the procedure when effective alternatives exist.