Maryland made history in 2022 when it became one of the first states in the country to ban cat declawing outright. If you live in Maryland and have been wondering whether you can still request this procedure for your cat, the short answer is no — not unless a genuine medical condition makes it necessary. Maryland became the second U.S. state to ban declawing, a surgical procedure in which all or part of the last bone in a cat’s toes is amputated.
Understanding exactly what the law covers, what exceptions exist, and what happens when someone breaks it can help you make informed decisions for your cat’s care. Whether you are a cat owner, a renter, or simply curious about Maryland’s animal welfare landscape, this guide walks you through every layer of the state’s declawing prohibition.
Is Declawing Cats Legal in Maryland?
Declawing cats is not legal in Maryland under normal circumstances. Gov. Hogan signed the bill into law on April 21, 2022. It went into effect on October 1, 2022. Since that date, any veterinarian who performs a non-therapeutic declaw procedure in the state is breaking the law.
In 2022, Maryland enacted the second U.S. statewide ban on declawing of cats. New York had been the first, passing its ban in 2019. As of 2026, the list of states with full bans has grown to include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and California, but Maryland remains one of the earliest and most prominent adopters of this type of legislation…