By LawInspectsYes, in some parts of the United States, it is actually illegal to declaw a cat, though these are just a few states and cities in the country. However, it is not illegal everywhere else in the USA, so you have to individually check for your city or state, and then come to a conclusion about it.
What Exactly Is Declawing?
Declawing is often misunderstood as a safe and simple removal of nails; however, that is not the case. The process is the removal of the last bone, along with the supporting bone of each of the forelegs of the cat. To help you visualize, it is similar to cutting off the tips of your fingers at the first joint; that’s how severe it is for cats.
Declawing is typically not performed medically. Roughly, it is to prevent cats from scratching the furniture or people they. Yet, the removal of their claws can cause them to be in pain and anxiety. Certain cats may become aggressive and bite the owner, while some may not use the litter box because they are scared without their natural defense.
Is Declawing Cats Illegal in the U.S.?
The short answer: It depends on where you live.
In the United States, no federal law exists that prohibits the declawing of cats. That implies that the choice is with local authorities or states. There are those who have prohibited it fully, while some still permit it.
U.S. States Where Declawing Cats Is Banned
As of now, only a few states have fully banned the practice of declawing cats:
- New York: First state to ban it (2019)
- Maryland: Followed in 2022
- Virginia: Ban enforced in 2024
- Massachusetts: Banned in 2025
- Rhode Island: Banned in 2025
- Washington, D.C.: Also has a ban, even though it’s not a state
Just to be a lot more clear here, see, such areas do not allow declawing at all; only if a cat’s health is the cause can the procedure be done.
Cities in the U.S. That Have Banned Declawing
Apart from state-level bans, several cities have taken action too:
In California:
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- Santa Monica
- Berkeley
- And a few others
Other cities:
- Austin, Texas
- Denver, Colorado
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Pittsburgh and Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Louis, Missouri
Well, your city might have a ban even if your state doesn’t. So, the best way to be sure is to check the local laws in your area by ZIP code.
What If Your State or City Doesn’t Have a Ban?
Dozens of states are currently in the stage of discussion whether to legally prohibit the declawing practice. Illinois and New Hampshire are two examples of such places that have submitted bills; however, the total number of these bills that have not yet been accepted is still unknown.
In some very rare situations, certain doctors may be in favor of declawing, for instance, a person with a very weak immune system, where a scratch might lead to a dangerous infection. However, almost all animal welfare groups say that the practice of declawing is the right choice only in a few such instances because those conditions are minimal.
Why Is Declawing Such a Controversial Topic?
Animal groups, shelters for rescued animals, and a great number of vets actively oppose cat declawing. According to them, the procedure is old-fashioned, the cat is in pain, and in most cases, the animals’ behavior is substantially altered in an undesirable manner due to the change of their instinctive habits.
There are some veterinarians who believe that doctors, not politicians, should make the call. Still, they say that a lot of vets who were involved in euthanasia stopped performing it and rather opted to support the development of safe and humane alternatives.