Cat Declawing Legality by State 2026

People choose to remove their cat’s claws for several reasons. The biggest reason is that they do not want their cats to scratch up the furniture. Cats naturally need to scratch things to keep their claws sharp. In particular, people do not like it when cats scratch up their leather furniture. Another reason is that cat owners do not want them to scratch a person. Some pet owners try to strike a middle ground by removing only the front claws.

States Where Cat Declawing Is Illegal

In a small number of jurisdictions, cat declawing is prohibited statewide except when medically necessary for the health of the animal. These laws generally allow the procedure only for therapeutic purposes, such as treating infection, injury, or disease.

States where declawing is illegal statewide include Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia (effective July 1, 2024). The District of Columbia also prohibits the practice. In these jurisdictions, performing a non-therapeutic declawing procedure can result in professional discipline, fines, or other penalties under state veterinary laws.

States Where Cat Declawing Is Partially Restricted

In several states, declawing is not banned statewide but is restricted at the local level. This means the procedure may be legal in most of the state, but prohibited in certain cities or counties. If you’re considering declawing, location matters.

States with local-level bans or restrictions include California, Colorado, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. For example, certain cities—such as Los Angeles (CA), Denver (CO), St. Louis (MO), Pittsburgh (PA), Austin (TX), Tacoma (WA), and Madison (WI)—have enacted their own prohibitions. In these states, legality depends on the municipality, so pet owners must check local ordinances in addition to state law.

States Where Cat Declawing Is Legal

In most states, cat declawing remains legal under state law when performed by a licensed veterinarian. In these jurisdictions, the procedure is generally treated as a matter of professional veterinary judgment rather than a criminal offense.

States where declawing is legal statewide include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

In Oregon, declawing is allowed only under specific medical conditions, meaning the procedure must be justified as necessary for the health of the cat rather than performed solely for convenience. Even in fully legal states, veterinarians may decline to perform declawing based on professional ethics or animal welfare considerations.