While declawing is not optimal, it sometimes becomes a medical necessity for some cats to continue living in their homes. When all other measures have been tried and failed, i.e., behavior modification, training, etc. the only other options are declawing or rehoming. Now there is an alternative to declawing. It is called a tendonectomy and considered to be a more humane option. 

Instead of amputation of the first knuckle, the tendon that controls extension and retraction of the claw is cut. The procedure is less invasive, incision is very small, recovery times are much faster, no bandages or special litter is needed, it is an outpatient procedure and a two night stay in the hospital is not necessary. 

When deciding whether this procedure is appropriate, the owner must keep in mind that a tendonectomy will require lifelong pedicures or nail trims. Naturally cats wear down their claws by scratching but when the tendon has been cut this prevents this natural occurrence from happening. This makes it necessary for the owner to be very diligent about regular nail trimming to prevent the nails from growing into the pads of the feet or snagging on objects.

Phineas and Bree post tendonectomy procedure:  

Paw post surgery: