Position Statement on Surgical Procedures for Resolving Behavior Problems

Background
Barking, scratching and spraying are natural canine and feline communication signals, although some companion animal guardians (or their neighbors) see them as serious behavior problems. When pet guardians are in danger of losing their homes, their spouses or their furnishings, they may seek out speedy surgical solutions, such as debarking, declawing and olfactory tractotomy (severing the olfactory tracts from the brain to eliminate urine spraying). Although behavior modification takes time and may not be 100 percent effective, considerable health risks and pain are often associated with the surgeries. Additionally, declawing removes one of the cat’s primary defenses, and olfactory tractotomy destroys the cat’s sense of smell, which may affect appetite.

ASPCA Position
The ASPCA does not recommend surgery to eliminate a problem behavior unless the animal’s guardian has already attempted—unsuccessfully—to resolve the issue using humane behavior modification techniques and/or followed a treatment protocol set up by an animal behavior specialist (certified applied animal behaviorist, veterinary behaviorist or experienced behavior consultant). The ASPCA recommends surgery only if the animal is at risk of losing his home or his life, and the surgeries should be performed by a licensed veterinarian who is experienced in the specific procedure. The ASPCA never condones the debarking of attack dogs to add to the element of surprise or to evade law enforcement.