When I learned what cat 'declawing' really is, I felt sick. Michigan must make it illegal.

Since I was a young child, I have had cats in my home. Like my parents and grandparents before me, once I was on my own, I had my cats “declawed.”

It is something that I regret to this day.

What nobody told me at the time, even my vets, is that “declawing” is literally amputating the cat’s toes at the first knuckle.

In 2020 and 2022, Michigan lawmakers introduced bills to ban this cruel procedure in our state. Both times, the legislation died in committee because, for some unfathomable reason, it was seen as a partisan issue. This year, state Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr (D-Ypsilanti) has introduced new legislation – House Bills 4674 and 4883. If these bills become law, Michigan would become the third state in the country to ban the procedure, except for the rare occasions when it is medically necessary. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the Humane Society of the United States and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals oppose cat "declawing."

'Declawed' cats are in pain. Let cats keep their claws

People often defend “declawing” by saying that it makes cats more attractive for prospective pet owners, preventing more cats from filling animal shelters and rescues. But what we now know – beyond the barbarism of this practice – is that "declawing" frequently leads to health and behavioral problems that actually increase the likelihood a cat will be taken to a shelter or rescue, or even be put down.

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One study showed that “declawed” cats are three times more likely to be aggressive, four times more likely to bite, seven times more likely to urinate in inappropriate places and three times more likely to have chronic pain. Cats taken to shelters and rescues because of these problems are much harder to rehome than they would be otherwise. With so many shelters at maximum capacity, most with very limited resources, these kitties have little chance of getting out alive. 

Many people claim their declawed cats are “perfectly happy.” But cats are notoriously stoic about pain, and we often don’t realize when they are living with it. It’s truly a tribute to how tough our little house panthers are. Cats are the second most popular pet in the U.S., living in over 46 million households. How can we love these animals so much, and then choose to inflict this on them?

Why you shouldn't declaw your cat

Cats need their claws. Scratching is an expression of natural behavior, and is an essential part of who they are. We don’t extract dogs’ teeth because of their need to chew. We give them toys and treats that give them a way to express that need in a safe and acceptable way. Cats deserve this same respect.

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I urge you to reach out to your legislators and ask them to support these two bills. Additionally, talk to others about the reality of “declawing,” so that everyone is aware that it is literally an amputation of the ends of a cat’s toes. Most people, once they are aware of what it involved, will choose not do it to their pets.

A statewide ban will ensure that no more of our beloved cat friends here in Michigan have to endure this ever again.

Chris Savage lives in Dexter, Mich. This column first published in the Detroit Free Press.