Is Declawing Your Cat Banned in Michigan Yet?

Declawing cats is a cruel practice that can cause paw pain, back pain, infection, tissue necrosis (tissue death), and several other health issues.

The practice is banned in many countries, except where medically necessary to remove damaged or deformed claws.

Where does Michigan stand on what seems like a barbaric practice?

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Is It Illegal to Declaw Your Cat in Michigan?

While the practice of declawing your cat is illegal in several countries and a few states here in the U.S., it is still legal in Michigan.

In 2023, a new bill was introduced in the Michigan House that would ban the declawing of cats.

According to MLive, House Bill 4674 seeks to ban any surgical procedure that prevents normal claw functioning, including an onychectomy, a phalangectomy, or tendonectomy.

The bill didn't seem to gain much momentum.

I'll be totally honest, I had one of my cats declawed over 20 years ago before I truly understood how cruel and inhumane it was. At the time, I had no idea. I thought it was just something you did if you didn't want your cat destroying your furniture and window screens.

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What Can You Do as an Alternate Solution to Declawing Your Cat?

There are a few things that you can do instead of declawing your cat. You can simply trim your cat's nails regularly, use soft nail caps, or buy a scratching post.

If your cat's bad behavior continues, talk with your veterinarian or a professional cat behaviorist.

Even though it's legal in Michigan, think twice before declawing your cat.