Pet lovers react furiously after Khloé Kardashian admits she had her cats declawed

The reality star admitted her cats lost their ‘protection tools’ after the painful procedure years ago

Khloé Kardashian is facing fierce criticism online after admitting she had her two cats declawed, with animal lovers flooding social media to condemn the procedure after the reality star revealed she now regrets the decision.

During a recent episode of her podcast Khloé In Wonder Land, the 41 year old opened up about raising her cats Grey Kitty and Baby Kitty and confessed that she had been “misadvised” before agreeing to have their claws surgically removed. Kardashian explained that she had never owned cats before and did not fully understand what declawing involved at the time.

“I feel really, really terrible that I did go in this direction,” she said during the podcast episode, adding that the procedure left her cats “miserable”.

Kardashian also admitted she now worries constantly about her pets’ safety because they no longer have the ability to defend themselves naturally. She explained that her cats wear tracking AirTags and are closely monitored inside the house because she fears they would struggle to survive outdoors.

“My cats wear Air Tags. They’re not allowed to even go near a door,” Kardashian said. “They’ve lost their protection tools, so it makes me sad.”

The comments immediately sparked strong reactions online, particularly among pet owners and animal welfare advocates who criticised declawing as unnecessary and inhumane. Many social media users argued that declawing is not comparable to trimming nails, but instead involves amputating part of a cat’s toes.

Several users accused celebrity pet owners of treating animals like accessories, while others pointed out that many veterinarians and animal organisations strongly discourage the practice unless medically necessary. Some commenters also expressed frustration that declawing remains legal in parts of the United States despite growing opposition from veterinary experts.

The American Veterinary Medical Association strongly discourages declawing procedures performed for non medical reasons. According to the organisation, scratching is a natural behaviour that helps cats defend themselves, stretch muscles and mark territory. The association has also warned that declawing can lead to long term pain and behavioural problems.

A number of US states and cities have already banned the practice except when medically required. California, New York, Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island all have restrictions in place, alongside several major cities.

Alongside discussing the declawing controversy, Kardashian also shared stories about tension between her two cats after introducing Baby Kitty into the household. According to the television personality, one cat began urinating around the house in protest before the behaviour spread to the second cat as well.

The podcast episode even included Kardashian revealing that she once consulted a pet psychic for advice about her pets. She recalled being told to buy a pink litter box to improve the cats’ mood, though she admitted she did not follow the unusual recommendation.

Although Kardashian expressed clear regret over declawing her cats, the backlash online has continued growing as animal lovers debate celebrity responsibility and pet care awareness.