Cat declawing (onychectomy) is a painful surgical procedure banned in many countries that causes lasting welfare consequences for operated cats.
Declawing causes acute post-operative pain that is often inadequately managed. Long-term consequences include phantom limb pain, nerve damage, and bone fragments that cause chronic discomfort. Cats that experience pain when walking in the litter box may avoid it, leading to inappropriate elimination that is then used to justify surrender. The behavioral changes seen in declawed cats — increased biting, aggression, and elimination problems — indicate ongoing welfare compromise rather than successful behavioral modification.