The Truth About Tail Docking, Ear Cropping, and Declawing

A Deep Dive into Controversial Pet Surgeries

Introduction

Hi everyone, and thanks for joining me on this episode of Val Talk’s Pets. In this episode, I want to discuss three controversial surgeries done on dogs and cats that many consider to be mutilations and cruel: tail docking, ear cropping, and declawing.

Tail Docking

What Is Tail Docking?

Tail docking, also known as bobbing, is the removal of portions of an animal’s tail. This is typically performed using surgical scissors or a scalpel, or by constricting blood flow with a rubber ligature until the tail falls off. Most often, this is done without anesthetic when the puppy is just a few days old.

Why Is Tail Docking Done?

The traditional argument for tail docking is to prevent injury in working dogs. Security breeds like Dobermans and Rottweilers often have docked tails to prevent their tails from being pulled during confrontations. However, dogs like German Shepherds have long worked in security roles with their tails intact.

Changing Breed Standards and Legal Ambiguity

Breed standards are slowly evolving, but many still cling to outdated looks. Countries like the UK have complex rules about showing docked dogs, depending on dates and purposes (e.g., working ability). In contrast, Scotland bans docking outright, though exceptions for working breeds are being considered due to reports of spinal trauma in undocked field dogs.

What Does the Research Say?

Research contradicts many of the justifications for docking. According to bestpetfacts.com, tail docking may actually increase the risk of injury and contribute to spinal issues. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) found that 500 dogs would need to be docked to prevent just one tail injury.

Global Perspective and Veterinary Opposition

The AVMA and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association both condemn tail docking. While many provinces in Canada have banned the practice (e.g., PEI, Nova Scotia, Quebec), others like Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia still allow it. Australia bans cosmetic tail docking entirely, though exceptions exist for therapeutic reasons.

Final Thoughts on Tail Docking

The bottom line? There’s no strong evidence supporting tail docking for working or show dogs. Aesthetic preference should not outweigh the health and well-being of the animal.

Ear Cropping

Why Were Dog Ears Cropped?

Historically, ear cropping was used to protect hunting dogs from injury. Today, the main motivation is to make dogs look fierce, pointed ears versus floppy ones.

The Procedure Explained

“Cosmetic otoplasty” is the veterinary term for ear cropping. It involves removing part of the pinnae (ear flap), usually when the puppy is 7–12 weeks old. The ears are stitched, bandaged, and often taped into position until they heal. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, but post-op pain and complications are common.

Issues with the Practice

Ear cropping is often done by amateurs, particularly in puppy mills. Despite falling out of favor, it remains widespread in the show ring where breed standards still reward cropped dogs.

Common (and Flawed) Arguments

Supporters argue cropped ears are less likely to be grabbed or make identification easier. But breeds like Rottweilers work without cropped ears, and it’s laughable to say you wouldn’t recognize a Doberman otherwise.

Cropping bully breeds’ ears, particularly when not involved in showing, is often about promoting an image linked to dog fighting. This reinforces harmful stereotypes.

Final Thoughts on Ear Cropping

There is no valid medical reason for ear cropping. It causes pain, risks infection, and can impact behavior. Ethical veterinarians are moving away from this practice, and so should we.

Declawing Cats

What Is Declawing?

Declawing, or onychectomy, is not just a nail trim. It involves amputating the last bone of each toe, comparable to cutting off a human finger at the last joint.

The Harmful Effects of Declawing

Declawed cats can experience chronic pain, difficulty walking, and reluctance to use litter boxes. It may cause aggression, depression, and long-term discomfort. The procedure can also lead to obesity due to reduced activity.

Ethical and Professional Stance

Declawing is widely considered mutilation by ethical veterinarians. Though once as common as spaying or neutering, modern research has highlighted its cruelty and unnecessary nature.

Alternatives to Declawing

If you’re worried about furniture being scratched, there are better solutions—scratching posts, nail caps, training. But if the idea of a pet scratching or shedding bothers you, then you may not be a pet person. Perhaps consider a fish tank instead.

Conclusion

Tail docking, ear cropping, and declawing are painful and unnecessary procedures that are slowly being phased out by ethical veterinarians and forward-thinking laws. These animals are born with tails, claws, and floppy ears for a reason. Altering them for aesthetics or convenience is not just outdated—it’s inhumane.

Let’s keep advocating for better animal welfare and push for stronger regulations so these practices become a thing of the past.

As always, knowing is caring.

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Tagged as: Declawing,  Tail Docking,  Ear Cropping,  Controversial Pet Surgeries.