Cat Declawing Remains Legal in Texas After State Law Overturns Austin Ban

In March of 2021, the city of Austin passed a cat declawing ban and was the first city in Texas to do so. (Photo by Markus Scholz/picture alliance via Getty Images) picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I

Have a cat that won’t stop scratching the couch?

Some pet owners consider declawing as a solution. But is it legal to declaw a cat in Texas?

Yes. Cat declawing is legal in Texas.

While the city of Austin passed a ban on declawing in March 2021 — becoming the first Texas city to do so — that local ordinance was later overturned.

In 2023, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 2127, known as the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act, which limits cities’ ability to enforce local regulations that go beyond state law. The law effectively nullified Austin’s declawing ban.

Texas state law does not prohibit declawing. According to the Texas Humane Network and Legal Clarity, neither the Texas Health and Safety Code nor the Texas Penal Code bans the procedure.

While declawing is legal in Texas and most of the country, it's illegal in several states: New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

What is declawing?

Declawing is a surgical procedure that removes a cat’s claws.

Because a cat’s claws are attached to bone, the surgery involves amputating the first joint of each toe to prevent regrowth. If the joint is not fully removed, the claw can grow back.

The procedure is formally known as an onychectomy.

Is declawing cats ethical?

Many pet owners and animal-rights groups oppose declawing since it is technically an amputation, and experts argue it can cause negative side effects ranging from aggression and joint stiffness to litterbox aversion. It also impacts cats' ability to climb or defend themselves.

What are alternatives to declawing a cat?

Suggested alternatives for declawing a cat include durable scratching posts and pads made from materials cats favor, such as sisal rope or cardboard, which can help redirect scratching behavior. Routine nail trimming — whether done at home or by a veterinarian — can dull the claws and minimize damage. Another common alternative is applying soft plastic nail caps, which are glued over the claws and typically need replacement every four to six weeks.