Updated 5/17/25

Declawing is a brutal orthopedic surgery that amputates 1/3 of the cat’s paws. It irreversibly changes the way the cat walks and can lead to many long-term complications including chronic pain, arthritis, and behavior problems.

All reasons for non-medical declawing have non-surgical alternatives. There are many humane choices will still protect both human and feline health, as well as sofas and Persian rugs:

  1. Scratching posts, mats, corrugated cardboard, logs, softwood boards, sisal rope
  2. Training (yes, cats CAN be trained!)
  3. Regular claw-trimming
  4. Rotary sanders (Dremel)
  5. Nail caps (SoftPaws, Soft Claws)
  6. Emery scratching boards 
  7. Double-sided sticky tape and pads (Sticky Paws)
  8. Non-stick furniture protectors  
  9. Aluminum foil
  10. Pet repellent sprays
  11. Access restriction (upside-down vinyl rug runner)
  12. Remote aversive devices (ScatMat, Ssscat)
  13. Phermones (Feliway)
  14. Furniture covers (blankets, towels—anything loose will not be appealing to your cat!)
  15. Those who absolutely insist that no cat of theirs will have claws, can adopt an already-declawed cat (there are many of them in shelters and rescues).

You may need to use more than one alternative for any particular cat. But the good news is that in most cases, other than scratching posts or pads and claw maintenance, you will not need to use them forever. Once a cat has stopped scratching in undesired places and been trained to the right spot, you can remove blankets, foil, etc.

With a little effort, patience, and time, one or more of these alternatives will work for any cat; making it unnecessary and inhumane to use a radical, irreversible surgery to solve a behavior problem.