<div><p>We recently reported on New Jersey's attempt to <a href="https://www.shared.com/this-act-of-animal-cruelty-could-be-banned-for-the-first-time-in-the-u-2242910690/">ban declawing cats</a>, which will be the first ban of its kind by an American state if it passes.</p><p>Since the surgery was introduced it has been highly controversial among veterinarians and pet owners. Some see it as a routine surgery that makes owning a cat easier, while others say it's cruel and unnecessary.</p><p>Now, a huge national organization of veterinarians has weighed in, saying there's no excuse to declaw a cat.</p><p> </p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/600px-russian-blue-cat-with-claws-extended.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/600px-russian-blue-cat-with-claws-extended_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Catster</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>Canada's Veterinary Medical Association have updated their policy on cat declawing to take a strong stance against the procedure.</p><p>The organization used to recommend avoiding declawing unless there was a good reason, but now they say there's <em>no</em> good reason to declaw your pet.</p><p>This new policy lines up with other large organizations, like the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Veterinary Medical Associations, which are both against the surgery. </p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/Meow.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/Meow_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/Meow_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Purina</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>Dr. Sherlyn Spooner, who helped re-write the Canadian group's policy, <a href="http://www.thespec.com/news-story/7215712-don-t-declaw-your-cat-it-s-amputation-canadian-veterinary-association/">says</a> that "we strongly oppose it because from an ethical viewpoint the surgery is unacceptable. It offers no advantage to the cat."</p><p>Declawing procedures remove part of the bones in a cat's feet, which is the only way to stop their claws from regrowing.</p><p>While there are different kinds of surgery, they all have risks and side effects including pain, nerve damage and even bone spurs.</p><p>The Human Society compares declawing a cat to "cutting off each finger at the last knuckle" for a human.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/201509-cat-claws_0.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/201509-cat-claws_0_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/03/201509-cat-claws_0_GH_content_650px.jpg 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Vetwest Animal Hospital</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p>If you're concerned about your sofa, there's no need to take drastic measures to keep it safe. We've written a <a href="https://www.shared.com/10-ways-to-stop-your-cat-from-ruining-your-furniture-2250101383/">guide</a> full of great tips to protect your furniture.</p><p>It's already illegal to declaw cats in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Now other American states are considering their own bans, and it could soon be a thing of the past.</p><p><strong>Would you ever declaw a cat? Share this post and tell us!</strong></p></div>