Opinion: Other states have stepped up to ban cat declawing. Now, it’s New Hampshire’s turn.
Published: 01-29-2025 6:00 AM |
Lauren Martin lives in Amherst, NH. She has a master’s in Animal and Public Policy from Tufts University.
Imagine amputating your own fingers up to the first knuckle. This is exactly what it is like to declaw a cat.
Declawing a cat does not just remove the claw, it removes the bone connected to the claw. This procedure can leave cats in pain for the remainder of their lives and cause further health and behavioral issues. New Hampshire has the opportunity to stop this cruel practice by supporting HB 201, which would prohibit declawing procedures including onychectomy, partial or complete phalangectomy and tendonectomy with the exception of cases in which declawing is deemed medically necessary for the health of the cat. HB 201 would also implement a civil penalty for veterinarians who choose to perform the surgery for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons.
This bill was put forward by Rep. Bordes and is cosponsored by Sen. Abbas as well as Reps. St. Clair, Trottier, Read, Germana, Seibert and Soucy.
Scratching is the most common reason a cat owner seeks to declaw their cat, but scratching is a natural behavior in cats who are constantly growing and shedding their claws. There are many alternatives to declawing to prevent scratching. Owners can buy nail caps that cover the claw and are not sharp enough to cause damage. Owners can also add more acceptable scratching surfaces like scratching pads and posts to their homes. Owners, veterinarians and groomers can routinely trim a cat’s claws. The simplest alternative is to avoid owning a cat if you cannot handle the possibility of being scratched or having scratched furniture. Cats cannot control this innate behavior and should not be punished with painful surgery for something they cannot control.
Cats who have been declawed do not go on to live very healthy lives. Many cats show lameness as weight-bearing on declawed paws can be painful. Many develop pain after the operation and become withdrawn. The incision areas on the cat’s feet, a delicate place, can become infected if improperly cared for. While other animals are aless likely to be attacked by a declawed cat, declawed cats that are allowed outside risk having no defense if they’re attacked. Declawing brings about so many unnecessary risks that could be prevented if declawing is prohibited.
While most veterinary schools no longer teach this surgery and most veterinarians refuse to perform it, it is imperative the state prohibits it. This move will discourage cat owners from seeking out the surgery and establish that New Hampshire will not accept any veterinarians who continue this cruel practice.
Article continues after...
Yesterday's Most Read Articles
![](/attachments/46/48683046.jpg)
![](/attachments/86/48644986.jpg)
![](/attachments/63/48686763.jpg)
![](/attachments/59/48683059.jpg)
![](/attachments/23/48542223.jpg)
![](/attachments/74/48683074.jpg)
Veterinary hospitals including BluePearl, Banfield and VCA have banned declawing. 42 countries and several American states, including Maryland, New York, Virginia and most recently Massachusetts, have banned declawing. We do not want cat owners who can’t access this surgery in Massachusetts coming to New Hampshire to have it performed. The Humane Society of the United States, the ASPCA and the American Veterinary Medical Association all maintain anti-declawing positions. New Hampshire should join these hospitals, organizations, countries and fellow states in prohibiting cat declawing.
HB 201 had a public hearing at the Legislative Office Building on January 21st, 2025. There is still time to email the committee and express support for the bill. Emails for the committee can be found on New Hampshire GenCourt’s website.
As a cat owner and animal welfare advocate, I highly encourage the House Environment and Agriculture Committee, as well as the entirety of the House of Representatives, to support this bill to prevent cruel and unnecessary surgeries for cats.