Soft paws

**Freedom** · 09-30-2006, 08:30 AM

Catnip on the scratching posts is great, I have done that.

And double sided sticky tape on the the furniture and other places NOT to scratch also works great. I bought some mounting tape at the craft store last time, couldn't find the tape. It works fine.

If he is not scratching the furniture, what the heck is bothering your mom? The scent glands are NOT removed, so the cat can still leave her/his mark on the scratching post as 'owned' territory.

I have one cat with front paws declawed - her first owner did that when she was a kitten (I am her third owner! first oe died; second moved into elderly housing where only 1 cat was permitted, and she had 2.) Her front paws look so strange compared to the other cats here. She still jumps and climbs on the bed, sofa, and cat perches here. She is a bit less stable in her antics because she can't hold on. Her paws are short and awkward looking.

Good luck talking your mom OUT of the horrible idea.

**moosmom** · 09-30-2006, 08:33 AM

Why not just trim his nails? By the time you get around to gluing the caps on you could have trimmed his nails. Much cheaper!

Trimmed nails, 5 minutes a day of training on scratching posts, and scratching posts strategically placed throughout the home ensures no scratching.

Great advice!! Another thing to note is that it is SO inhumane, declawing is outlawed in Europe. I only wish the US would follow suit.

**momcat** · 09-30-2006, 11:06 AM

When we first got Groucho he was 7 weeks old. One of the first things I talked to our vet about was declawing (the first thing was neutering). Our vet explained the process and it was very clear that she strongly disapproves of the practice. Dr explained that cats claws are their first line of defense and even indoor only kitties do manage to get out at times, the cat is permanently maimed, their balance is effected, and it could give rise to other problems. Add to that the pain the poor cat must endure as a result. Declawing MUST be stopped!!!

**Miss Z** · 09-30-2006, 11:29 AM

Declawing is very cruel and I'm glad it's banned here. I'd never seen those soft-paws before, I personally think they look hideous but I suppose it's a lot better than being declawed.

I hope you can manage to talk your mum out of the idea Alicia, I know you'll try your best.

**Catty1** · 09-30-2006, 11:32 AM

Your mom may not know that the first joint in the cat's toe is removed. Tell her that!

And her friends LOVE it? What does the CAT think???

Do try the catnip on scratching posts. I mean, if Hank isn't scratching where he's not supposed to - what is the problem???

If she DOES insist on talking to the vet, ask her to have the vet explain the whole thing (you can tell her that you want to know!). That might be enough to stop her!

Good luck!

**GreyhoundGirl** · 09-30-2006, 01:22 PM

No offence anyone, ( I'm sort of with the " natural " look ) I (personally ) think those nails look sort of stupid. Perhaps I wouldn't mind the clear or black ones, but the colourful ones just make me think the people have the pet as a fashion accesory. ( pet peeve: people that have small dogs as fashion acsesories and have them wear humiliating things like little pink skirts

)

I'm also not sure how well they would work. As has been mentioned, the cat's nails would grow, you would have to keep re-glueing the things on. Personally, I'd just cut 'em once a week and place a scratching post in my house somewere.

I hope no one has found any offence in this post because none was ment.

**Catty1** · 09-30-2006, 01:30 PM

I worked at a ca kennel...and one cat had them. They do stay on for quite a while, until the nail's sheath grows and sheds.

I think they are a valid alternative to declawing - and cats have even been thrown out of the house or worse for it. Some older cats who are adopted may not be able to have inappropriate scratching trained out of them! (Except MY two angels!

)

It's good there are neutral colours available.

The one cat at the boarding kennel I worked at was a tortie - and she had the orange-red Soft Paws on. What a hoot! She was quite the fashionista - and I am her her purrents furniture was in good shape!

Absolutely no offence taken, GG. But see Moosmom's post about Two Cats being out, and you'll see what can happen.

**flamepony12** · 09-30-2006, 02:40 PM

We've read all about them, and they're MUCH, much better than declawing! We actually have the *clear* ones on Amber right now. This was actually sort of a last-resort, we tried putting the scratching post in front of her and everything, but she kept using her claws for unnecessary reasons. We decided to expirement with the soft claws, and it's working out great so far. They don't bother her AT ALL, she got used to them being on within an hour. They aren't inhumane either, they dissolve and fall off within 6 to 8 weeks.

She can still naturally retract and extend her claws, she just can't do nearly as much damage to us and the furniture (:

**moosmom** · 09-30-2006, 05:43 PM

The first joint of the cat's knuckle is not removed, it's CHOPPED OFF. I can't stand it when they try to sugar coat the procedure. (no offense Catty1)

I tell people, "Chop all your fingers and toes off at the first joint, then force yourself to walk on all fours. THAT'S what a cat has to endure.

Later on, cats can develop arthritis in their paws, litterbox and biting problems.

**buttercup132** · 09-30-2006, 06:39 PM

Guys its NOT my fault like I said in my original post , I know to keep the nails clipped, and like I said in my first post I have TONS of scratching post.

No offence anyone, ( I'm sort of with the " natural " look ) I (personally ) think those nails look sort of stupid. Perhaps I wouldn't mind the clear or black ones, but the colourful ones just make me think the people have the pet as a fashion accesory. ( pet peeve: people that have small dogs as fashion acsesories and have them wear humiliating things like little pink skirts

)

I'm also not sure how well they would work. As has been mentioned, the cat's nails would grow, you would have to keep re-glueing the things on. Personally, I'd just cut 'em once a week and place a scratching post in my house somewere.

I hope no one has found any offence in this post because none was ment

They arent in anyway a fashion acsesory...they are a alternative to declawing, dressing up dogs in things like skirts have no purpose putting a sweater on them in the winter (on dogs that have little or no fur) helps the dog stay warm. Putting these caps on the claws stops them from clawing your skin and furniture(although Hank dosent claw the furniture he dose get the skin good )They stay on till the nail grows wich as someone said is 6-8 weeks when they fall off.
The whole fashion acsesory thing is like saying you buying jenny a really nice looking collar and then accusing you of using it for a fashion acsesory, you and I both know thats not the case so dont assume things.

**flamepony12** · 10-01-2006, 10:01 PM

This is
Devon's mom (not Devon) posting this. My registered name is Fishdish, but I wasn't able to log on under my username

.

Buttercup, I say that you should absolutely give Soft Claws a try. They are amazing! Nobody who loves animals wants to do anything that would make them suffer in any way. I promise you that Amber was fine while we applied the caps, and that she ignored them within 20 minutes - we immediately fed her favorite food to distract her and it worked!

We also trim Amber's nails regularly, but that does not stop her from using furniture and screens (in addition to her scratching posts) to keep her
claws sharp.

It was helpful to have one of us hold her and gently extend her claw while the other applied the tip. Use whatever color you like -it makes no difference to the kitty. Some people like using the colored ones so they can more easily tell if/when one has come off.

IMO, why should we have to deal with destruction of furniture and potential danger to other pets/people when there is such a great alternative? There is nothing even remotely harmful to the cat by the use of Soft Claws. We put them on Amber this past Friday afternoon and only had to replace one this (Sunday) morning.

Replacing them is no big deal at all and one pack comes with 40 caps, so
you don't have to keep ordering/buying replacements.

So, as you can probably tell, we are fans of soft claws.

Btw: you can read the testimonial page at Softpaws.com for people's happiness with the product. I promise that I have nothing to do with
the owners/creators of them :0) - we just love how well they are working and the stress that they are saving all around

. There is also a mini-video that shows you how to apply them if you decide to give them a try.

Good luck and keep us posted :0).

**KitCat** · 10-02-2006, 06:48 PM

My cat was declawed before I got him and he seems OK and able to get around like other cats. I make sure he stays indoors because he would certainly be at a disadvantage against other animals. He still tries to scratch things because it's an instinct and good exercise but it doesn't do any harm.