Cat declawing, a procedure that involves amputating the last bone of a cat’s toes, is increasingly being restricted across the U.S. due to concerns about animal cruelty and long-term health effects. In 2025, Massachusetts and Rhode Island enacted statewide bans, allowing the procedure only when medically necessary. California may soon follow, with AB 867 awaiting action from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. If signed, it would ban declawing for cosmetic or convenience reasons and add California to the growing list of states taking action to protect companion animals.
