New York Becomes First State to Ban Declawing

Declaw surgery involves amputation up to the first joint of a cat's toes to permanently remove the claws. It's a routinely performed practice in the United States, mostly done to decrease scratching damage to furniture.

The procedure carries many risks and has a high rate of complications, including:

• Infection of the amputation sites
• Dehiscence, or opening of the surgical sites
• Extreme pain
• Chronic pain
• Arthritis
• Regrowth of deformed claws
• Change of gait
• Personality changes
• Inappropriate urination

Declaw Surgeries Banned in New York

In July of 2019, New York became the first US state to ban declaw surgeries and institute a fine for veterinarians who perform them. Many cities in the US and Canada and countries around the world have already banned declaw surgeries. There is similar legislation active in several other US states currently, including Florida.

How to Keep Scratching Damage to a Minimum

As bans on declaw surgery gain ground, some people worry about whether they will still be able to own cats. They become concerned about protecting their home and furniture from scratching damage.

Soft Paws vinyl claw caps with non-toxic adhesive are a great way to minimize scratching damage. You simply slip them over the claw.

When you first start using Soft Paws on your cat, there may be a learning curve for both you and the kitty. But over time, as you get better at putting them on and the kitty learns they don't hurt and leaves them alone, the caps can begin to stay on for up to six weeks at a time. Then, they're shed along with the outer layer of the claw.

Are Soft Paws Humane?

Soft Paws do not interfere with a cat's ability to extend and retract the claws. The kitty can still scratch, which is essential for mental and physical health. However, the claws, being covered by vinyl, don't do damage to household items during the scratching process.

Soft Paws are safe, non-toxic, and humane. They don't cause claw infections.