Onychectomy is a very serious and sometimes crippling procedure. Amputating the end bone on all of a cats toes is required for claw removal and it isn't a pleasant thing to see. Watch the video below for a full onychectomy procedure (warning: disturbing and graphic content). Most pet owners would be appalled if they saw this happening to their beloved animals. However, many veterinarians fail to explain the exact procedure to their clients. I myself was not informed of the torture my cat Gizmo had to endure just so she wouldn't scratch my mothers couch. I am mortified and ashamed that I allowed such an inhumane thing be done to a member of my family.