Last Updated on March 25, 2026 by admin
California made it a crime on January 1, 2026. But millions of cats outside that state—and inside it—are still living with the consequences of a procedure vets have quietly called an amputation for years.
Declawing isn’t a manicure. It’s the surgical removal of the last bone in each of a cat’s toes—the third phalanx, the part the claw grows from. On a cat with 18 claws, that’s 18 bone segments removed while the cat is awake enough to feel what comes next.
The Numbers Most Owners Have Never Seen
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery followed 137 declawed cats and compared them to 137 cats with intact claws. The findings were stark.
Declawed cats were 7.2 times more likely to have litter box problems—refusing to dig in gravel-like litter because their paws hurt every time they try. They were 4.5 times more likely to bite. Back pain was nearly three times more common.
The researchers also found that 63% of declawed cats had bone fragments still trapped inside their paws—tiny shards of the third phalanx left behind during surgery, pressing against soft tissue with every step the cat takes.
This is why your cat is biting. This is why it stopped using the litter box. This is why it flinches when you pick it up.
What to Watch For in a Declawed Cat
If your cat was declawed and any of the following started happening—or was always there and you chalked it up to “just being difficult”—it may be living with undiagnosed chronic pain:
- Avoiding the litter box and choosing a soft surface instead (a rug, a pile of laundry, a corner of the bed)
- Biting without warning, especially when touched near the paws or picked up from behind
- Refusing to jump onto furniture it once used without hesitation
- Overgrooming its paws or chewing at its feet
- Walking in a flat, shuffling gait instead of the normal heel-to-toe stride
Cats are experts at hiding pain. The bite your cat gave you last Tuesday may have been the first honest thing it communicated in months.
What To Do Now
Start with your vet. Tell them your cat is declawed and describe the behaviors you’ve been seeing. Ask specifically about a physical examination of the feet—including X-rays to check for residual bone fragments. This is not a standard ask, so you need to name it.
If fragments are found, surgical removal is possible and often resolves the behaviors within weeks. If no fragments are found but pain is still suspected, your vet may recommend long-term pain management, joint supplements, or a switch to a softer, unscented litter that reduces the pain of digging immediately.
When To Call Today, Not at Your Next Appointment
Call your vet today if your declawed cat:
- Has not used the litter box in 24 hours
- Is limping or dragging a paw
- Has visible swelling or discharge near any foot
- Has stopped eating alongside any of the symptoms above
These can signal acute infection or advancing bone fragment damage. Both worsen the longer you wait.
What the California Ban Actually Means
California’s AB 867, signed into law in 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, prohibits veterinarians from performing onychectomy—the medical term for declawing—unless it is medically necessary for the cat’s health. Violations can result in criminal charges and the loss of a veterinary license.
New York banned it in 2019. Maryland in 2022. California in 2026. The AVMA’s own position now describes it as “an acutely painful procedure” that “may result in chronic pain, maladaptive behavior, disability, and significant mutilation.” The science behind each ban is the same: the procedure trades short-term convenience for years of hidden pain.
If Your Cat Still Has Its Claws
The AVMA recommends several alternatives that work: regular nail trimming every two to three weeks, soft vinyl nail caps (like Soft Paws) that glue over the claw and last four to six weeks, and horizontal and vertical scratching posts placed where your cat already prefers to scratch.
The scratching behavior isn’t the problem. Scratching is how cats stretch their spines, mark their territory, and maintain claw health. The surface is the only variable you need to change.
The Last Word
If your cat is declawed and you’ve been reading this paragraph by paragraph, nodding—make the appointment. You didn’t know what you didn’t know. But now you do.
Does your cat have its claws? Drop its name in the comments below. 🐱