She doesn't seem to mind them now; she licked at them for a minute, then went about her feline business. But it took both me and my husband holding her down to get the things on (they weren't too snug or anything, she just wanted NO part of it) and both of us lost some flesh in the process.
I don't understand why. She doesn't have any problem with us clipping her nails. She just lays there. But when I was putting on the nail caps, she screamed and clawed and fought like we were trying to kill her. Is there a possibility that the glue was hurting her? I put a little bit on my own fingernail to see if it was causing sensitivity, but it didn't do anything negative to me. We tried talking calmly, cuddling her, wrapping her in a towel, giving her a bunch of treats. She just wanted no part of it.
Anyone had a similar experience putting SoftPaws on their cat? Suggestions for a smoother application next time?
Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
I had problems with one of my boys. The other two were fine. Pat, however, bit my dad's finger.... canine punctures in both sides!
One of the things that I noticed might be the problem is that sometimes when I am clipping nails or otherwise messing with nails, and I go to extend the nail out by pressing on it, for a while I was sometimes digging my fingernail tip into the soft tissue sheath.
But it could just be that she doesn't like them. Not all cats will tolerate them. I haven't bothered with my boys since I've moved because they are good with the scratching post. I just put them on to make sure they didn't do any damage in the hotels or use their claws to escape at some inopportune time during the move.
I filled five of the soft paws with glue at a time before putting them on. Then, just working as fast as possible is the best hint I can give. Now, it should be easier, because they will fall off one at a time, so you will only have to replace a few at once, rather than doing them all.
One of the things that I noticed might be the problem is that sometimes when I am clipping nails or otherwise messing with nails, and I go to extend the nail out by pressing on it, for a while I was sometimes digging my fingernail tip into the soft tissue sheath.
But it could just be that she doesn't like them. Not all cats will tolerate them. I haven't bothered with my boys since I've moved because they are good with the scratching post. I just put them on to make sure they didn't do any damage in the hotels or use their claws to escape at some inopportune time during the move.
I filled five of the soft paws with glue at a time before putting them on. Then, just working as fast as possible is the best hint I can give. Now, it should be easier, because they will fall off one at a time, so you will only have to replace a few at once, rather than doing them all.
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
She's totally fine now, she'll even let me touch her paws. But there are a couple that I couldn't get on all the way because she was screaming like I was breaking her paw when I extended her claw, which she never does. And I play guitar, so I have almost no nails. I just don't understand why that bothered her more than clipping her nails. :/
You're right, though; at least I won't have to put them all on at once again.
Izzy has several scratching posts, but will NOT leave the couch alone, no matter how often or how creatively I reprimand her. So I just cut my losses, got the SoftPaws, and called it a day. I just felt so bad for making her scream like that.
You're right, though; at least I won't have to put them all on at once again.
Izzy has several scratching posts, but will NOT leave the couch alone, no matter how often or how creatively I reprimand her. So I just cut my losses, got the SoftPaws, and called it a day. I just felt so bad for making her scream like that.
Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
Softpaws aren't for every cat, and the glue used shouldn't be trusted entirely...think about it, would you want glue on your nails or skin? Also, the caps could be very uncomfortable.
Instead of softpaws, perhaps work more on the scratching the couch issue....the key is to get her to use her scratching post more often, make it inviting and fun for her (place her toys near it, place kitty-nip on it, encourage her daily to use/play near it, etc)
Instead of softpaws, perhaps work more on the scratching the couch issue....the key is to get her to use her scratching post more often, make it inviting and fun for her (place her toys near it, place kitty-nip on it, encourage her daily to use/play near it, etc)
..........Traci
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
I do, and I have. Ever since the day we brought her home, though, she's just prefered the couch. I've thought about finding a material similar to the stuff the couch is made out of and making her a post out of that, but then I thought she might not differentiate between the two.
I have to admit, it was really funny when we brought the second couch home... as soon as I let her out of the bathroom, she ran RIGHT up to it and just started kneading all over it. Thankfully, it's very resilient material and she isn't harming it at all. It's just the prinicple of the matter.
I really think it's a territorial thing with her. Because it's not just the couch -- it's the rugs, it's the walls, it's the bed, it's every porous surface in the apartment. If a book or a blanket gets left out, she kneads and scratches on that. I've tried really dedicating myself to grabbing her and putting her on one of the scratching posts (we've got three, all different -- one cardborad, one sisal rope, one carpet) but I don't know how to get her to make the connection. She definitely uses the posts, all of them. Often. But it doesn't seem to be enough to keep her from scratching on everything else.
I dunno, really. She seems to be tolerating the SoftPaws very well now. She's running around, playing, kneading, jumping, batting, and cuddling as usual. She used the litterbox right after I got out of the shower, like clockwork. I guess she just really didn't favor the application, though I wish I knew why. And I wish that I could get it to click in her head that scratching is only tolerated on scratching posts. But it doesn't seem like anything's gotten through to her.
I have to admit, it was really funny when we brought the second couch home... as soon as I let her out of the bathroom, she ran RIGHT up to it and just started kneading all over it. Thankfully, it's very resilient material and she isn't harming it at all. It's just the prinicple of the matter.
I really think it's a territorial thing with her. Because it's not just the couch -- it's the rugs, it's the walls, it's the bed, it's every porous surface in the apartment. If a book or a blanket gets left out, she kneads and scratches on that. I've tried really dedicating myself to grabbing her and putting her on one of the scratching posts (we've got three, all different -- one cardborad, one sisal rope, one carpet) but I don't know how to get her to make the connection. She definitely uses the posts, all of them. Often. But it doesn't seem to be enough to keep her from scratching on everything else.
I dunno, really. She seems to be tolerating the SoftPaws very well now. She's running around, playing, kneading, jumping, batting, and cuddling as usual. She used the litterbox right after I got out of the shower, like clockwork. I guess she just really didn't favor the application, though I wish I knew why. And I wish that I could get it to click in her head that scratching is only tolerated on scratching posts. But it doesn't seem like anything's gotten through to her.
Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
I'm not a cat owner and haven't tried this procedure, but I did have a thought. I know cats are extremely sensitive to smells, and, I assume the glue used was super glue or something similar. Could it be that she was just trying to get away from the strong smell?
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
It's not quite super glue in intensity (I got some on my fingers, and it didn't bond them together or anything) but rather more like the glue that people use for fake nails, yet still not as strong. That said, it certainly did have a very strong smell, and it is possible that it freaked her out. Especially since she hates the smell of rubbing alcohol or anything like that; I think she automatically associates it with the vet. You may be onto something there.
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remax realtor
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Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
i dont know where you bought them from, but they are really cheap on ebay. My cats have been good about the couch, but i still might give them a try anyway.
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Izzy did not like the SoftPaw application.
Bought 'em from the website. They're less than $20 with S&H, and they got here in less than a week. So I don't really have a complaint.
As an update, one or two of the caps fell off, as they will... and the re-application went much smoother. She pulled her paw away, but she didn't snap, hiss, bite, or cry out. So she must be getting used to it, which is good news. I really hated doing it to her. But she seems happy as ever now.
As an update, one or two of the caps fell off, as they will... and the re-application went much smoother. She pulled her paw away, but she didn't snap, hiss, bite, or cry out. So she must be getting used to it, which is good news. I really hated doing it to her. But she seems happy as ever now.