Claw removal in cats has been recognised as a cruel practice

The results of a multi-year study conducted by Canadian scientists from the University of Montreal in collaboration with GREPAQ (Research Group for Animal Pharmacology of Quebec), The Conversation reports.

For the first time, the scientists compared three groups of cats: healthy cats suffering from age-related osteoarthritis and cats with the same disease but with their claws removed. All animals underwent the same non-invasive tests: gait analysis, electrophysiological measurements, clinical examinations and MRI scans. This approach allowed us to separate the effects of age-related pain from the effects of surgery.

The findings were unequivocal: cats who have undergone onychectomy (the official name for claw removal) experience more severe pain, chronic fatigue, gait disturbances and neurological problems. Overweight animals are especially hard hit.

The operation, which is common in the United States and some Canadian provinces, is actually an amputation of the terminal phalanx of each toe - mainly on the front paws. The intervention is most often performed with a scalpel or laser, sometimes using sterilised claws.

Although the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2022 said there was "conflicting scientific evidence", Professor Eric Troncey, author of the study, says the controversy arose from a lack of long-term follow-up. His team spent more than a decade collecting reliable data.

Cats with claws removed are more likely to refuse to jump, may avoid the litter tray due to pain, and become fearful and aggressive. Tests have shown direct nerve damage: sensitisation caused by an overloaded nervous system leads to permanent suffering.

"This practice should have been banned long ago," emphasises Troncey. - Veterinarians should educate owners about alternative methods - claw clipping, scratching posts, behavioural corrections. By continuing to remove claws, we betray our professional mission to protect animal welfare."

Canada banned onychectomy in Quebec in 2024, but other provinces and the U.S. still allow the surgery. It is estimated that by 2025, there will be about 25 million such cats in North America.

The authors of the study call on veterinary associations to reconsider their positions based on scientific evidence and completely ban the mutilating practice, which affects millions of pets.