Soft Claws - Any Photos & Advise Pls

mooficat

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Has anyone who has used soft-claws, got some photos they can share. I am thinking of trying these and just dont get it ! I know you have to ´glue ´them on, but how does that work if you have wriggly moggies to contend with ?
What should they look like when you´ve got them on (correctly) Any hints and tips from ´users moms or dads ´ would also be great
I suppose they come with full instructions, etc, but would like to see a working set !!
 

aconfident

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It takes at least two people to put them on. You could have your vet do it for you.

The lenght of time they stay on is variable, some could come off right away.

A few people that I know that use them really like them though.

Crystal
 

buzbyjlc10

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I've used them on Oliver for over a year now and love them.... I can't really get pictures though because I use the clear ones so you wouldnt be able to see them. You can have a vet or groomer show you the first time if you are worried about getting it right. They're kinda like putting fake nails on humans, you just put a little of the glue in each cap and slide it on the nail. Depending on the cat, you may need more than one person (one to stabilize the cat and one to apply) - Oliver's used to them now and I apply them myself. They're nail will still function normally and the caps will come off as each nail naturally sheds - your kitty will still use scratching posts, etc because of the natural want to do so, he just wont destroy furniture, skin, carpet etc anymore
 

fosterfelix

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I use Soft Claws and highly recommend them as an alternative to declawing. They are a learning experience. Whenever I have someone interested in a kitten that mentions declawing, I slap on a set and educate them. Here's a few tips I give my adopters:

1.\tDon’t get frustrated. It takes practice. Cats are unbearably stubborn and resistant to change. It may take you a week to get on your first set of Soft Claws and that’s okay. I actually never attempt to put on a full set on a new cat in one sitting. Put on one at a time and let him/her get used to the idea.

2.\tBe prepared for your cat to act as if you have just put it through horrendous torture! After application it’s antics in an attempt to remove the Soft Claws will probably make you laugh. This is only temporary, so don’t despair. Some particularly tricky cats even manage to remove a cap or two. They do stop attempting with repeated application.

3.\tGlue. I have found that the best super glue to use when applying Soft Claws is NOT the glue provided with the nail caps. I buy 3m Super Glue Gel, which is MUCH STRONGER and helps prevent the caps from falling off or from the cat removing them on their own (see tricky cat reference above).

4.\tDepending on why you’re applying Soft Claws, you might consider only applying them to the front paws. This allows the caps to last you much longer (4 – 6 months).

5.\tAfter you fill the cap with the super glue, take a needle, stick it in the cap and rub the glue around to ensure the whole area is covered. This helps surround the entire inside of the cap with glue, removing air bubbles and helps ensure the caps stay on. (This whole process really doesn't take as long as it sounds!)

6.\tIt helps to have one person hold the cat and one person applying the Soft Claws. The cat needs to be held for about 60 seconds for the glue to dry after applying the cap. If you are attempting this alone, I suggest wrapping the cat in a towel and straddling it between your legs. No, the cat will not be happy.

Kittens are by far the easiest. I hunt them down as they sleep and apply them. Ditto, my youngest Siamese is a terror to put them on, but he almost preens after they're all on. It's hilarious. I use the the clear and colors, whichever I have available.

Here's Ditto with the blue nails that match his eyes.
 
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mooficat

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well thanks guys, some real useful info there ! I have 3 cats and I am considering soft claws for Dino. He is now 13 and suddenly decided he´s got claws he can do something with ! Obviously declawing is just NOT a option , makes me ill to think of it ! So these soft claws sound just the thing !!
 

alikatt

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Not to highjack this, but in relation to the softclaws, if you have a cat that insists on using your hands as a playtoy, or your feet when you move, would this be an ok thing to do? Boots hurts, and I don't know what else to do, or how to break him of this habit.
 

white cat lover

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Originally Posted by alikatt

Not to highjack this, but in relation to the softclaws, if you have a cat that insists on using your hands as a playtoy, or your feet when you move, would this be an ok thing to do? Boots hurts, and I don't know what else to do, or how to break him of this habit.
Yes, soft claws would be a good option. Ophelia likes to attack my legs, so I put soft claws on her. Now, she doesn't hurt me.

I put the soft paws on Lily by myself. She bites & growls, but I simply tell her to knock it off & give her a treat. She now somewhat tolerates me putting them on her. Ophelia requires two people as she doesn't sit still for long. This is about the only picutre I have in my phototbucket of Lily wearing her soft claws. I ordered 3 different colors-blue, purple, & pink. I alternate them on her claws so she has very pretty toes.
 
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mooficat

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Originally Posted by white cat lover

Yes, soft claws would be a good option. Ophelia likes to attack my legs, so I put soft claws on her. Now, she doesn't hurt me.

I put the soft paws on Lily by myself. She bites & growls, but I simply tell her to knock it off & give her a treat. She now somewhat tolerates me putting them on her. Ophelia requires two people as she doesn't sit still for long. This is about the only picutre I have in my phototbucket of Lily wearing her soft claws. I ordered 3 different colors-blue, purple, & pink. I alternate them on her claws so she has very pretty toes.
She does have VERY pretty toes, think these would suit my Princess Pepsi ! can you get them in gold ?
Also thanks for the tips on how to use
 

nadrasmom

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I love the softclaws! Nadra has a habit of pulling up the carpet on our steps if we dont put them on her. It is for sure a two person job though. They seem to last about 2 weeks before they start falling off. I like the colored ones so you can tell right away when one falls off, and also locate it on the floor easier. Plus she looks so cute with her colored pedicure.
 

sarahp

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Is it wrong to want to get pink Soft Paws/Claws for our kitty purely because they'd look really cute and match her collar???
 

katkisses

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Time for a stupid question.... can you use them over and over? I know they probably fall off when kittie's nails 'shed' a layer, but once they fall off, given that I am able to find them, would I be able to reuse them?
 

buzbyjlc10

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No, you cant reuse them... I'm always finding Ollie's shed caps and see how it works is, the cap is glued to the outermost layer of nail, so the cap falls off when that layer of nail is shed, but the shed nail is still glued firmly to the inside of the cap
 

alliread

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Do you do Ollie's front, or front and back???

I was at Petco yesterday, and found red and green ones, guess it was a xmas type thing, and they were on clearance for 5 dollars, so I couldnt pass it up, red and green are easy to see also...

But I plan on doing all of my 4 cats this weekend...
Just wasnt sure if I should just do the front??
 

kittyluver27

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I didn't know that you glued them on, I heard that they fall of really easy, but those were probably ones that you dont glue on. Not sure.
 

meow meow

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I read in a book that Softclaws leaves the cats nails un-naturally extended (like a dogs) -- that they can't fully retract their nails with the caps on.

I had my 16 week old neutered the other day and they cut his nails for me while he was under. What a difference!! They are really blunt. When he scratches the couch when we are playing I can still "hear" it -- but the couch has no damage. My husband put a fan in the window last night and my curtains (sheers) where blowing -- kitty tried to grab them with his claws and could not even do it. The only thing that may still cause damage is when he scratches at screens (or tries to climb them!).

I am going to try cutting them myself in a couple weeks in an effort to convince my husband that we don't need to declaw him. His previous cat was declawed and every cat we know is so to him there is "no question about it."
 

emily_325

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Cutting is also a good option. Just be really careful when you do it because a cat's nail has a "quick" just like ours does. When you extend your cats claws out you can see it inside the nail if you look closely. If you cut too close to it, your cat's nails will bleed and you will have a very unhappy kitty.

I used to trim my cat Austin's nails when he lived indoors though and I think I only cut too close once. (One time is enough to make you SUPER careful fromt hen on out.) Good luck!
 

buzbyjlc10

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The cat can still use his nails naturally with the caps on... I can see it when Ollie's playing... usually, he keeps them in (like when he's teasing my poor old lady of a dog, haha - he runs by and bops her on the butt or the snoot and runs on, haha) but my dad likes to wrestle and roughouse with Oliver (like they'll be sitting on the floor and my dad will go like he's gonna grab Ollie's head in his hand... you know, coming in over top of him with his hand and Ollie will jump up and wrap his paws around my dad's arm and play bite him) and you can see that his claws are out, gripping onto my dad (well he has the caps on, but trying to grip).... it eventually turns into bunnykicking, which my dad thinks is hilarious and he can stand it cuz he's got thick daddy skin, haha....

I only cap Oliver's front claws because they were what was causing the furniture and most of the skin damage... the only time the back feet get involved is with play bunnykicking and that's usually provoked by one of us, haha... I know some people have capped the back too and I would if it was needed, but since it isnt on Oliver I don't since I'd feel a little bad that he may not get any satisfaction from scratching any itchies...
 

phenomsmom

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HTe claws still retract normally and they can scratch their posts and whatever like normal. Phenom didn't like them at first and walked around like she was trying to shake them off but quickly got used to the. I would highly reccomend them!
 

distol

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my vets office has a resident cat that they use soft-claws on. he doesn't seem bothered one bit by them. and the fact that my vet uses them is endorsement enough for me. they're the absolute best clinic with the best docs. i don't use the soft-claws on my babies though. i find it easier to clip their nails. with 5 cats, i'd be spending most of my waking hours up to my eyeballs in glue and little round things. and the way they squirm when it's toe trimmin' time, i'd end up glued to at least 3 of them!
 
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