Anyone used soft claws for cats instead of declawing?

Question

I have a 7 month old kitten that I got from the animal shelter. She had been kept in a cage with one of her litter mates and now she tries to snuggle and cuddle with me like she did with the other kitty. (I would like to have taken them both, but I couldn't). The only problem with this is that she wants to "paw" my neck area and her claws are so sharp that no matter how gently she does it it's quite painful and she ripping by neck to shreds!! This is starting to effect how much I am willing to cuddle with her and I don't want to get to the point where I don't want to at all!! I was thinking that I might have to have her declawed but was afraid it would be very painful for her and then I read about "soft claws". Has anyone used these and can you tell me how it feels when they "paw" you with them on. Does it help? I know it will help with her scratching on things, but I am mainly interested in whether it will help when she "paws" me.

Answer 1

I've used Soft Claws for a couple years and they work for me. They aren't that expensive. You can find them on E-bay for around $15 for a package. That should last several months.

Apply them to your cat when she's sleepy or just woke up, so that she won't be aggitated at the process. Then give her treats when it's over.

They usually only come off as the cat's nail grows. Just as your nails grow, theirs does too and the soft claw will eventually grow off.

Declawing is very painful. In fact, my vet won't even do this procedure.

At least give them a try and see if you like them. Plus, you can get cute colors like pink and blue!

Answer 2

I have two cats a boy and a girl. The girl was found along the side of my house when she was 2 weeks old and has been mean ever since. The boy, I got from a shelter at 3 weeks old and is the sweetest cat in the world. I had both cats decalwed at 4 months. That was the earliest my vet would do it and they both took the procedure well. They had to stay overnight and came home unbandaged and playful. I dont think declawing has anything to do with a cat's personality. My boy cat will lay on his back and let you rub his belly and if you stop before he is ready, he will move his body under your hand to scratch him again. He has never pawed or scratched me even when he had claws. I used soft claws on him and it was a total nightmare. I had to put on one at a time because he would immediatly go to lick them and I was scared he would ingest the superglue like adhesive. It takes about a minute for the glue to dry but I didnt want to take any chances. I got all 10 on then the next day 9 of them were missing. I got 40 claws for $20 at Petsmart. They also have them at PetCo. You can also take your cat to either place and they will cut his claws down. I live in the Houston area and the cost to cut them was $8 at both places.

If it is any help at all my mother-in-law declawed her cat who was 8 months at the time and she had a hard time with the surgery. She lost weight because it was too hard to walk. Ask your vet if 7 months is too long to wait.

Answer 3

Because your kitty is so young, her claws are smaller and they can be sharper...that being said...i would NOT under any circumstances cut them yourself..no matter how careful you are, you will prob cut to the quick and make it bleed and then you will probably never be able to clip them again (she wont let you hehe) your vet can clip them down for you with special nippers if you need to, I would try the behavioral approach first. She is probably lonely for the mother and sibling and that is why she is so attached to you. Use a towel on your neck for cuddle time. I would never get a cat declawed because if something were to happen and she ran away, she would have no defense against larger animals. I had a stray come to house once, I guess the owner had left her behind when they moved or whatever but she was rail thin and had no claws. The other animals in the neighborhood battered her senseless so I ended up bringing her in to keep her safe. She now languishes at my mothers home in her warm embraces:-)

Answer 4

Soft paws do work to a certain point, but they are expensive and they need replaced so often...Just trim your cat's nails! Right now is the best time to start, while she is still a kitten. Start out slow and gentle, just do one every few hours at first if she hates it. have your vet or groomer show you how if you don't know..You can buy cat nail clippers or small dog clippers at any pet store..You can try using yours, but they tend to tear the cat's nails because they aren't sharp enough. I wouldn't recommend declawing..In my opinion, it's cruel and unnecessary. Cats were born with claws, they are meant to have them. It's like cutting off your fingers at the start of your nails...terrible. Just get used to trimming every week..It's simple and fast once you're both used to it!

Answer 5

my sister uses the soft paws and she hates them. They are expensive and they keep coming off. You glue them on and as the kitten grows so do their own claws so the tips just pop off. If you can find them and reglue them it is not too bad but the chances are that you won't find them.
I agree with the guy that said to train your cat no to claw you. If you hold heir paws and still pet them hen they start to associate you peting them with them being still and submissive. It does take some time but it is worth the effort. My cat comes in and out and he will sit at the door and whine until we let him out to use the potty. He will not claw you no matter what you are doing to him because we taught him " no " from an early age. I can turn him upside down and rub his belly an he will not claw me- even if he thinks I might drop him. It took a few months of being patient but he learned and so can your kitty. Dont' spank them- just be firm and consistent and teach it the word " no "

Answer 6

I've heard bad things about getting kitties declawed. It's like snipping off all of your fingers at the joint so you don't have any finger nails. Ouch!! I had a kitty growing up and we didn't know better, had him declawed. He became agressive, biting and kicking when playing, pouncing and biting your neck. He drank out of the tap and you could see blood marks from his paws on the counter, even 10 years later. I wouldn't get another cat declawed after that experience and after getting Internet knowledge... No Internet when I was kid.

Answer 7

I don't think declawing is right. Our vet says a lot of cats become unfriendly & even aggresive afterwards. I agree with above answer about cutting the tips off. It works really well & takes no time at all. Might want to get a good sturdy scratching post too.
I adopted a declawed cat & he is sweet, but he bites when he's playing or mad. That's his only defense, so i can't really blame him, but it hurts like hell!

Answer 8

I'm glad you asked this question, I have a similare problem. I'm going to try some of these suggestions. One of my cats, Otis, uses his claws when he's "makin' buscuits" (that little massaging thing they like do on your lap or tummy) OUCH! We call it Oti-puncture.

I think I'll try the training technique first. If that doesnt work maybe just clipping or the soft claws. Declawing is not even an option.

Answer 9

If your not going to declaw her, I will say yes, I use softpaws and they are wonderful, however, your cat being the age that she is, will have to get used to these nail caps, she will try ripping them off for awhile, you may be putting on replacements often, but once she gets used to them, she wont even realize they are there. I am very grateful for this product, my kitten isn't scratching up my couches or my children. Once she is old enough I will declaw her, but till then I use these and have no problems other than when I initially put them on her she didn't like them at first, now it doesn't bother at all.

Answer 10

What I used on my persian was I would hold her paws firmly but gently when she would claw me and say "No claws".

It takes awhile, but after a few months all I needed to say was "no claws" when she was getting frisky and she stopped clawing, and it eventually became few and far between when I had to say it. I never had a problem with her scratching on furniture once she understood "no claws".