California has become the seventh state to ban declawing for non-medical reasons, although the local veterinary medical association CVMA opposed the bill.
From now on, only surgeries for medical reasons are permitted. In other cases, veterinarians may be fined, and their licenses or registrations may be revoked.
Animal rights advocates have called this law a moral milestone that puts an end to inhumane practices. Previously, other states, including Illinois, New York, and Maryland, have also banned this practice.
Declawing, or the removal of claws to prevent cats from scratching, has long been a contentious issue in the veterinary community. This procedure, often referred to as 'soft paws,' involves the amputation of the last phalanx of the toe along with the claw.
Research shows that this procedure is associated with complications such as infection, pain, and changes in cats' behavior. Additionally, declawed cats are more likely to experience back problems and residual bone fragments.
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