Why declawing is never the answer (and what to do instead)
By Dalia · Last reviewed 29 Sept 2026
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His Majesty has scratched the sofa. Again. Some people's answer is declawing. So let's be clear about what that actually means.
Declawing is not a nail trim. A cat's claw grows from the last bone of each toe. So declawing means amputating that bone. On every toe.
Imagine losing each finger at the last knuckle. For scratching a sofa.
And it can hurt for life. Studies found declawed cats were more likely to have back pain, to bite, and to stop using the litter box.
In Spain, it's banned. The animal welfare law forbids mutilations, except for real medical reasons. Many other European countries ban it too.
Here's the thing: scratching isn't bad behaviour. It's how cats stretch, keep their claws healthy, and leave their mark.
So give His Majesty something better than the sofa: a tall, sturdy scratching post. Put it next to the sofa, near where he sleeps, and by the door. Add a little catnip, and praise him when he uses it.
Trim the very tips of the claws every few weeks, and cover the sofa, just while he learns.
The sofa survives. The claws stay. Everybody wins. Except the scratching post. It never stood a chance.
Scratched sofa, shredded curtains, a cat looking extremely pleased with himself. It's frustrating, and some people still suggest "just getting him declawed". Before anyone considers it, here is what declawing really means, and why there are much better answers. Watch the short film above, then read on.
What declawing actually is
Declawing (the medical term is onychectomy) sounds like a manicure. It isn't. A cat's claw grows directly from the last bone of the toe, so the only way to stop it growing back is to amputate that last bone, on every toe of the paw, usually both front paws.
To picture it on yourself: it's like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle.
Why it's harmful
Cats walk on their toes, and their claws are part of how they balance, climb, stretch and defend themselves. Removing the end of every toe changes how a cat stands and moves, and the effects can last a lifetime.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery compared declawed and non-declawed cats. Declawed cats had:
- about 3 times the odds of back pain
- about 4 times the odds of biting
- about 7 times the odds of urinating or defecating outside the litter box
In many of the declawed cats, X-rays also showed bone fragments left in the paws, which made problems more likely. Researchers link these problems to long-term pain. Cats hide pain very well, so it often goes unnoticed. A cat that avoids the litter box (sand hurts sore paws) or bites when touched isn't being "difficult". It may be hurting.
Declawing is banned in Spain
Spain's national animal welfare law (Ley 7/2023) prohibits mutilating companion animals, with an exception only for genuine medical or surgical needs certified by a vet. Mutilation for cosmetic reasons or convenience is not allowed. Spanish cat welfare organisations specifically name declawing as one of the procedures now prohibited. Many other European countries also ban it.
Declawing a cat just to protect furniture is not a medical reason. There are rare genuine medical cases (for example, a tumour or a severe infection in a toe), and those are decisions for a vet.
Why cats scratch
Scratching isn't bad behaviour. It's essential cat behaviour:
- Claw care: it removes the old outer layer of the claws.
- Stretching: a good scratch stretches the back, shoulders and legs.
- Marking: scent glands in the paws leave a message: "this is mine".
- Feeling good: it relieves stress and excitement (you may notice lots of scratching when you come home).
You can't stop a cat scratching, and you shouldn't try. The goal is to redirect it.
How to save your sofa, the kind way
1. Offer a better scratching post
Most cats prefer:
- tall and sturdy: tall enough for a full stretch, and heavy enough not to wobble (a wobbly post gets ignored)
- rough textures, like sisal rope or sisal fabric
- both vertical and horizontal options: some cats prefer scratching flat cardboard scratchers on the floor
2. Put it in the right place
Location matters more than price. Put scratching posts:
- right next to the furniture your cat is scratching now
- near where they sleep (cats love a good scratch after waking up)
- near entrances and busy areas, where they like to mark
3. Make it attractive
Rub a little catnip on the post (many cats react to it), play with a wand toy near it, and praise or reward your cat when they use it. Never punish scratching: it only creates fear and doesn't teach the cat where to scratch instead.
4. Make the sofa less attractive, temporarily
While your cat learns, cover the favourite spot with a throw or a sofa protector, or try double-sided tape designed for this purpose. Once the post has become the favourite, you can usually remove them.
5. Trim the tips
Trimming just the sharp tips of the claws every few weeks reduces damage. Only trim the clear tip, never the pink part (the quick). If you're unsure, ask your vet or a groomer to show you.
If you're struggling
If scratching becomes a real problem, or your cat scratches because they seem stressed, talk to your vet or a qualified cat behaviourist. There's always an answer that doesn't involve amputation.
The sofa survives. The claws stay. Everybody wins, except the scratching post, which never stood a chance.
Questions people ask
Is declawing just a nail trim?
No. The claw grows from the last bone of the toe, so declawing means amputating that bone on every toe. It is a surgical amputation, not a manicure.
Is declawing legal in Spain?
No. Spain’s animal welfare law (Ley 7/2023) prohibits mutilating companion animals except for genuine medical or surgical reasons certified by a vet. Declawing to protect furniture is not allowed.
Does declawing cause long-term problems?
It can. A 2017 study found declawed cats had higher odds of back pain, biting and going outside the litter box, problems researchers link to long-term pain.
How do I stop my cat scratching the sofa?
Give them a tall, sturdy sisal scratching post right next to the sofa, near where they sleep and by the door. Add catnip, praise them when they use it, trim the claw tips, and cover the sofa temporarily while they learn.
Should I punish my cat for scratching furniture?
No. Scratching is normal behaviour. Punishment causes fear and doesn’t teach the cat where to scratch. Redirect them to a better scratching spot and reward them for using it.
Sources
- Pain and adverse behavior in declawed cats — Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (Martell-Moran et al.)
- Ley 7/2023, de protección de los derechos y el bienestar de los animales — full text
- La nueva ley para gatetes — La Gatoteca
- Declawing linked to aggression and other abnormal behaviors in cats — ScienceDaily
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