[alexmlamb]

It's not exactly a quick fix, but how many generations would it take to breed cats with substantially softer claws? This could be an interesting program perhaps for the government to undertake.

I also wonder if crispr or embryo selection could be used if a GWAS could find genes that lead to softer claws.

The selection techniques have been used to improve milk yields for cows, so it seems like making cats which don't need to be declawed would be a valid project.

[raverbashing]

NO cat needs to be declawed (no more than any human needs to have their fingertips cut off).

Have a scratcher and trim off their nails, problem solved.

[nkrisc]

Even better, don't get a cat if scratching is a problem.

[pvaldes]

Claws and bones are related. A genetic predisposition to softer claws would lead also to problems with hair, damaged whiskers and probably also skeleton deformities.