The CVMA discourages the declawing (onychectomy) of cats as an elective procedure and supports non-surgical alternatives to the procedure.
The decision to declaw a cat should be made by the owner(s) in consultation with their veterinarian on a case-by-case basis and only for a medical reason or when scratching presents a health risk to the owner(s).
The veterinarian has an obligation to educate clients on alternatives to the declawing procedure and what a declawing procedure entails, including the potential surgical complications. A declawing procedure should not be performed unless all alternatives have been explored and attempted.
More information about declawing may be accessed here.
(October 2021)
It’s Not About Politics….It’s About Your Profession. The CVMA PAC is a bipartisan political action committee whose purpose is to educate state legislators and candidates on issues of importance to the veterinary profession.