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Is declawing cats illegal in the Netherlands?

Yes. Declawing cats is banned in the Netherlands. Pet treaty in force since 2023: no declawing without medical need.

ETS 125 Art 10(1)(d) bans declawing (removal of claws) for non-curative purposes, exceptions for veterinary medical reasons; Council of Europe treaty list (verdragenbank.overheid.nl, read Oct 2026): ratified 15 Dec 2022, in force 1 Jul 2023, no reservation on 10(1)(d) (only 10(1)(a) tail-docking declarations by AZ, FR, LV). Listed as banning in US H.Res. 985 (9 Jan 2026) and PETA list (updated 16 Jul 2025).

Source: ETS 125 Art 10, since 2023

• The Netherlands is one of 29 countries where declawing cats is banned, and 12 more restrict it.
• Its neighbours: banned in 2 of 2 (Belgium and Germany).
• In Europe: banned in 25 of 39 countries.

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Other countries that ban declawing cats

LuxembourgCyprusLithuaniaLatviaBulgariaRomaniaCzechiaGreecePortugalDenmarkFinlandSwedenNorwayBelgiumAll 29 on the map ›

What else is banned in the Netherlands