Study Confirms declawing Causes Chronic Pain, Behavioral Issues in Cats
Montreal - A decade-long study from researchers at the University of Montreal has definitively linked declawing-the amputation of a cat’s last toe bone-to chronic pain, nerve damage, and important behavioral changes, including aggression and litterbox avoidance. The findings, published recently, add substantial weight to the growing ethical and veterinary concerns surrounding the practice, still legal in much of North America despite being banned in Europe since 1992.
While debate over declawing has long centered on technique, the new research demonstrates the procedure isn’t simply a nail trim, but a physically damaging event with lasting consequences for feline well-being. The study compared healthy cats to those with arthritis and those who had been declawed,revealing a clear pattern of pain,nerve damage,and mobility issues in the declawed group. Approximately 25 million cats in North America are estimated to have been declawed, though Quebec recently banned the procedure in 2024.
Researchers found declawed cats experienced increased sensitivity to touch (allodynia), displayed decreased muscle response in nerve tests indicating axonal damage, and exhibited reduced mobility, particularly in heavier cats. “Electrophysiological tests showed direct nerve damage, and this is reflected in their behavior,” stated Dr. Trroncy, a lead researcher on the project.The study also documented behavioral changes consistent with chronic pain. Declawed cats were more likely to avoid jumping, refrain from using litter boxes due to pain in their paws, and display unexpected aggression.
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) acknowledged “conflicting evidence” regarding the impact of declawing as recently as 2022,but researchers suggest this stems from a lack of long-term studies,not contradictory results. Dr. Trroncy emphasized, “For me, this practice is never seen as anything other than mutilation for the convenience of the owner.”