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On a recent Animal Advocate Podcast episode exploring the growing movement to end elective cat declawing, the states leading the way, and what advocates can learn from the changing legal and veterinary landscape.
When I teach animal law, one of the questions that comes up repeatedly is how an issue goes from being considered “normal” to becoming illegal. Cat declawing is one of the clearest examples of that shift. For decades, elective declawing was widely accepted in the United States. Today, a growing number of lawmakers, veterinarians, and animal advocates recognize that declawing is not simply removing a cat’s claws. It is the surgical amputation of the last bone of each toe, a procedure that can leave cats with lifelong physical and behavioral consequences.
The law is changing to reflect that growing understanding. At the same time, the veterinary profession has continued to strengthen its own guidance, creating a growing alignment between advances in animal welfare science, professional standards, and public policy. As of 2026, seven U.S. jurisdictions have enacted statewide bans on elective cat declawing, including California, whose statewide law took effect this year. At the same time, cities across the country continue to pass local ordinances, and advocates are working to advance legislation in additional states.
This guide explains where cat declawing is currently prohibited, how these laws have evolved, what legislation may be on the horizon, and what advocates can do to help protect more cats. Whether you’re trying to understand your state’s laws or looking for ways to get involved, my goal is to give you both the legal landscape and the practical context behind it.
What Is Cat Declawing?
Many people are surprised to learn that declawing is not the same as trimming a cat’s nails. Elective declawing, also called an onychectomy, is a surgical procedure that removes the last bone of each toe along with the claw. Because the claw grows directly from the bone, the bone itself must be amputated.
For decades, declawing was commonly performed to prevent scratching furniture or reduce the risk of scratches to people. Today, veterinary medicine and animal welfare organizations increasingly recognize that scratching is a normal feline behavior and that there are more humane ways to manage it.
Key facts
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Declawing removes the last bone of every toe.
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Nail trimming simply shortens the claw.
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Scratching is a natural behavior that helps cats stretch, communicate, and maintain healthy claws.
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Most veterinary organizations recommend alternatives before considering surgery.
Why Is Cat Declawing Controversial?
The debate surrounding declawing centers on whether permanently removing healthy bones from a cat is an appropriate solution to a behavioral issue that can usually be managed in other ways.
Research has associated declawing with:
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Chronic pain
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Altered gait
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Arthritis
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Nerve damage
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Litter box avoidance
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Increased biting
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Stress-related behavioral changes
Not every cat experiences every complication, but these concerns have led many veterinarians and animal welfare organizations to discourage elective declawing except when medically necessary for the cat’s health.
Related Resource: Animal Advocate Podcast: Cat Declawing – What Every Advocate Needs to Know: Ending Cat Declawing- Which States Are Enacting Bans in 2025? – Animal Advocacy Academy
Where Is Cat Declawing Illegal in 2026?
As of 2026, seven jurisdictions prohibit elective cat declawing statewide.
California
California’s statewide ban took effect in 2026 after years of leadership from cities that had already prohibited the procedure. The law reflects a growing recognition that declawing should only be performed when medically necessary.
New York
New York became the first state in the nation to prohibit elective cat declawing in 2019. Its law became a model for future legislation across the country.
Maryland
Maryland followed New York by prohibiting elective declawing while preserving exceptions when the procedure is medically necessary for the cat’s health.
Virginia
Virginia expanded protections in 2024 by prohibiting elective declawing except in limited medical circumstances determined by a licensed veterinarian.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts joined the growing movement in 2025, recognizing that routine declawing is inconsistent with modern animal welfare standards.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island enacted its statewide prohibition in 2025, continuing the trend of Northeastern states strengthening protections for companion animals.
Washington, D.C.
Although not a state, Washington, D.C. enacted a declawing ban in 2023, demonstrating that jurisdictions of every size can adopt meaningful animal welfare reforms.
Cities That Led the Way Before Statewide Laws
Many communities acted long before their states did. Local ordinances demonstrated that banning elective declawing was practical, enforceable, and supported by veterinarians, animal welfare organizations, and residents.
Colorado
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Denver
Missouri
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St. Louis (City)
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St. Louis County
Pennsylvania
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Pittsburgh
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Allentown
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Easton
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Etna
Texas
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Austin
Washington
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Tacoma
Wisconsin
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Madison
California (Before the Statewide Ban)
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Berkeley
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Beverly Hills
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Burbank
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Culver City
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Los Angeles
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San Francisco
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Santa Monica
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West Hollywood
Local ordinances often become the foundation for statewide legislation. They educate the public, demonstrate that reforms work in practice, and provide lawmakers with successful examples they can build upon.
States Considering Additional Declawing Legislation
Animal welfare legislation continues to evolve every year. States including Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Jersey have introduced or considered legislation restricting elective declawing.
Because bills can change throughout a legislative session, advocates should check their state legislature’s website or work with local humane organizations to stay informed about current proposals.
If your state has not yet introduced a declawing bill, that does not mean progress is impossible. Many successful laws began with local advocates educating lawmakers, building coalitions, and raising public awareness.
What Veterinary Organizations Say About Declawing
One reason cat declawing laws have gained momentum is that the veterinary profession itself has changed significantly over the past decade. While veterinary organizations have not all taken the same position on legislation, there has been a clear shift away from viewing elective declawing as a routine procedure.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has not endorsed statewide legislative bans and continues to emphasize veterinarian judgment and client decision-making. However, its position has evolved in meaningful ways. In 2020, the AVMA stated that it discourages elective declawing. In 2025, it strengthened that guidance, stating that it strongly discourages declawing, tenectomy, or any procedure intended to prevent normal claw use.
That change matters politically. It shows that the mainstream veterinary position is no longer that declawing is an ordinary elective service. The remaining debate is increasingly about whether the decision should be left to veterinarians and clients or whether legislatures should prohibit the practice except when medically necessary. For advocates, that distinction is important because lawmakers often look to professional organizations when evaluating animal welfare legislation.
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association likewise encourages veterinarians to preserve normal feline behavior and educate clients about humane alternatives to declawing.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) also strengthened its accreditation standards in 2025 by further discouraging routine elective declawing and encouraging accredited hospitals to prioritize non-surgical alternatives.
Taken together, these developments illustrate a broader trend. Although veterinary organizations continue to differ on the role of legislation, there is growing agreement that elective declawing should not be considered routine care. That evolution has helped shape public opinion, informed legislative debates, and contributed to the growing number of state and local bans across the United States.
Humane Alternatives to Cat Declawing
Fortunately, there are many effective ways to address unwanted scratching without surgery.
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Regular nail trimming
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Scratching posts and scratching pads
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Soft nail caps
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Positive reinforcement training
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Environmental enrichment through climbing structures, toys, and interactive play
These approaches allow cats to express their natural behaviors while minimizing unwanted scratching in the home.
How Animal Advocates Can Help End Declawing
Every major animal welfare law begins with people who decide change is possible.
If you want to help end elective declawing in your community, consider:
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Learning your state’s current laws.
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Contacting your legislators.
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Supporting local humane organizations.
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Partnering with veterinarians.
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Educating cat owners about humane alternatives.
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Sharing accurate information on social media.
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Speaking during city council or legislative hearings.
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Supporting organizations working to advance animal protection laws.
Advocacy is rarely the work of one person. It succeeds when communities work together over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cat declawing illegal in the United States?
No. As of 2026, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. prohibit elective declawing statewide. In most other states, the procedure remains legal unless restricted by local ordinance.
Which states have banned cat declawing?
California, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Does declawing hurt cats?
Research has linked declawing to chronic pain, altered gait, arthritis, and behavioral changes. These concerns are one reason many jurisdictions have prohibited the procedure.
Why do some veterinarians still perform declawing?
Because it remains legal in many states. However, veterinary organizations increasingly discourage elective declawing except when medically necessary.
Can cities ban cat declawing?
Yes. Many cities enacted local ordinances years before statewide legislation was adopted.
Is declawing ever medically necessary?
Yes. Most laws allow veterinarians to remove a claw or toe when treating serious medical conditions such as cancer, severe injury, or infection.
What can I do if my state has no declawing legislation?
Support local advocacy organizations, educate your community, contact your elected officials, and work with veterinarians and shelters to promote humane alternatives.
Stay Informed
Animal welfare laws change every legislative session. If you want updates on new animal protection laws, practical advocacy strategies, and conversations with the people shaping animal policy, subscribe to the Animal Advocacy Academy newsletter and listen to the Animal Advocate Podcast.
