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Is declawing cats illegal in France?

Yes. Declawing cats is banned in France. Declawing has been banned since 2004 except for medical need.

France ratified ETS 125 on 3 Oct 2003, in force 1 May 2004; its declaration excludes only Art 10(1)(a) (tail docking), so the 10(1)(d) declawing ban applies; under Art 55 of the Constitution ratified treaties rank above statute. Listed in H.Res. 985 (Jan 2026); SanteVet: banned since 2004 save medical necessity.

Source: ETS 125, in force 2004

• France is one of 29 countries where declawing cats is banned, and 12 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 6 of 8.
• In Europe: banned in 25 of 39 countries.

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Other countries that ban declawing cats

LuxembourgCyprusLithuaniaLatviaBulgariaRomaniaCzechiaGreecePortugalDenmarkFinlandSwedenNorwayNetherlandsAll 29 on the map ›

What else is banned in France