New Jersey may become the first state to prohibit declawing. Under the new bill, New Jersey cats would keep their claws. The measure, which cleared the lower chamber of the state lawmaking bodies last month, bans declawing procedures, called onychectomies and flexor tendonectomies, on a cat or any animal unless a veterinarian deems them medically necessary. Sponsors in the state Senate are reviewing possible changes. When the bill will move forward is unclear.