A veterinarian's hand gently holding a cat's paw with a California state flag in the background, soft natural lighting, heartwarming and gentle style.
A veterinarian's hand gently holding a cat's paw with a California state flag in the background, soft natural lighting, heartwarming and gentle style.

California Bans Declawing Cats Under New Law

On October 9, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 867 into law, making it illegal to declaw cats in the state except for therapeutic purposes. Authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, the legislation prohibits procedures such as onychectomy, dactylectomy, phalangectomy, partial digital amputation, and tendonectomy unless performed by a licensed veterinarian for medical reasons that benefit the cat's health.

Declawing, which involves amputating the first bone of each toe or severing tendons to prevent claw extension, has been criticized for causing chronic pain, behavioral issues, and mobility problems in cats. The new law reflects a growing movement against this practice, aligning California with other states and countries that have enacted similar bans.

The California Veterinary Medical Association opposed the bill, expressing concerns about limiting veterinarians' professional judgment. However, proponents argue that the law is a significant step forward in animal welfare, emphasizing the importance of non-surgical alternatives for managing scratching behaviors.

The law is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, reinforcing California's commitment to humane treatment of animals.

The prompt for this was: California bans declawing cats under new law

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