Claw caps for cats..........

[Becky Pyland Davis]

I was just wondering if anyone has ever tried using the nail caps for cats and kittens.
I am considering buying some of the Soft Paw caps for my kittens and adult cats. I have
read the site very carefully and according to the company, there is no way there can be any
injury to the cat. I have 2 adult cats and 3 'bad babies'
They aren't really bad babies, but I keep telling them they are every time they get into
something they shouldn't. Which this only happens during the time they are awake.
Was just wondering what y'all thought and if anyone had ever tried them.
Thank you,
Becky, Sassy, Gizmo and the 3 bad babies AKA Doofus, Goofus and Rufus

[jason]

never used them, sorry...no suggestions on it.

They aren't really bad babies, but I keep telling them they are every time they get intosomething they shouldn't.

curious, what are they getting into that the soft paws will remedy?

[Becky Pyland Davis]

I am having problems with the babies and the adults and the sharpening of the claws. The adults use the wicker dirty clothes hamper, which I don't mind for them using. I got them a scratching post, but they prefer the hamper. Fine by me, I can alwways get a new hamper. But I just got a new leather sofa and love seat. They don't claw it, but all of the cats are VERY active and when they are playing, the claws are used. They don't hurt each other, but when they make the 'take offs' the claws are used. I might be a bad momma, but I let all my cats play with me and on me with each other. They will all be asleep on the sofa and one will wake up and the wollering match is on. They will take running jumps and when they do, claws are used. I was just trying to find a way to protect the furniture and my hide
Becky

[jason]

ha! the scene must be a hoot to watch. im the same way with mine but elected the front declaw and routinely clip the rear, (note to all: no need in discussing claw vs declaw, thanks). anyhow, what great entertainment in addition to good old bonding time.

well, im sure eventually someone here will chime in on them but im sure your vet (or one in your area) will be able to discuss this in great detail.

good luck Becky.

[Becky Pyland Davis]

Jason, I do trim their claws, but only do it on days when I know the vet is coming out. I usually end up being the one that gets the worse end of the deal. My vet that I use for my cattle is pretty good at sewing me up, he has done it on 2 ocassions now. (Not injuries from the cats)
My cats do llike to go out for a lil bit every day for some grasshopper chasing and to torment the dog.
They are Manx and thus so, anything I can do to let them get rid of some of their pent up energy, I do my level best to let them. I only let em out when I can be with them constantly and be there in case Casey Dog needs my help.
Becky

[kate & kobi]

If you want to try the Soft Paws, they're perfectly safe and they do work pretty well. They stick out further than your cats claws do though, so if you have hardwood floors you'll hear them tapping around the house all night. That, and the expense, are the only drawback as far as I can tell. My kitties don't wear them now, but one of my kittens already had them on when we got her from the shelter.

[Mona]

I do not like the idea of the soft paws, due to the fact that they are glued on and the claws still grow underneath AND I am not sure they can retract their claws. Just for the records I am against declawing.

I just trim every week, and have a lot of posts and turbo scratchers. So far my 5 year old and 4 month old are being pretty good. I have one leather chair, and no one has scratched it. Amazing!!

I have caught the kitten scratching the sofa and immediately try to correct with a post nearby. They can be trained with patience and time. Chloe was biting, and we kept giving her toys and saying no, and it has stopped, we can now even pet her tummy with a good result (usually).

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Mona, Honeybun and Little Chloe

[Yzma]

You could try throwing a couple of heavy throw rugs over your leather... that has lessened the damage with our new sofa set, although we have more or less resigned ourselves to the fact that where there are cats, there will be claws...

[Jen]

I have tried the nail caps. They definitely do what they are meant to do, so if you want the nails to not do damage, this will work. Here are the drawbacks I encountered.
1) cost
2) the cats begin to hate to have them applied. They get more and more impatient with each application.
3) They do not last the amount of time they claim. One will fall off at a time leaving you to replace one cap sometimes almost daily if you have many cats wearing them. Although, one of my cats did mange to keep an entire set on for 2 months. But this was the exception, not the rule.

AND THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT!
4) The cap can get caught leaving the cat unable to get loose. As the nail grows, the cap moves away from the base of the nail (the cuticle). This leaves a space and a ridge. 2 times I had to rescue a cat that was trapped by a string caught on that ridge. These were stong well-attached strings that would not break and the cat would not have been able to free himself if I were not there to intervene.