05/30/2026
A big win for animal welfare in Ontario!
Starting January 1, 2027, declawing cats and ear cropping dogs will officially be against the law in Ontario, except when medically necessary. Although I'm unsure of why either would be medically necessary!
These procedures have long been performed for human convenience and cosmetic reasons, at the expense of the animal's comfort and well-being. It's encouraging to see stronger protections being put in place for our pets.
A positive step forward for cats, dogs, and the people who care about them. ❤️
Docking of tails on dogs did not make the list unfortunately, but I hope we are getting there.
Read on to understand what the real effects are on our pets when we choose to have these procedures done for our own convenience and cosmetic status.
DECLAWING is much more than removing a cat's claws. It involves amputating the last bone of each toe, similar to removing the tip of a human finger at the last knuckle.
Some of the potential downsides include:
Pain and discomfort:
Cats can experience significant pain after surgery, and some develop chronic pain that lasts for years.
Side Effects:
Changes in how they walk
Litter box avoidance
Increased biting
Reduced ability to climb and balance
Behavioral changes - Some cats become more anxious, fearful, or defensive after declawing.
Instead, there are better ways, like:
Providing scratching posts and pads
Regular nail trims
Training and redirecting scratching behavior
Many veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and cat behaviour experts oppose routine declawing because of the physical and behavioural risks associated with the procedure. Although, I am told this can still be done locally in our area.
I have been asked several times to apply soft nails caps to cat's claws, which I won't do because of the risks as well as the stress and confusion for the cat.
EAR CROPPING is a cosmetic surgery that removes part of a dog's ear flap and then requires the ears to be taped or "posted" for weeks or months while they heal into an upright position. (we saw this often with German Pinscher's)
There are several side effects, and sometimes repeated care is needed to stave off bleeding and infection. Lets not forget that dogs use their ears, along with their tails and body posture, to communicate with other dogs and people, so altering their ears may affect some aspects of communication.
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association, oppose routine ear cropping when it is not medically necessary.
