Has anyone used softpaws?

[Topsy Turvey]

It starts to hurt less after a year or two...

 

Stretching the truth a bit me thinks Christine!   

Glad you've decided not to use them Mallory - whats a few scratches between friends 

[Christine (Blip)]

Yes, good call, Mallory. 

welcome to scarred by our cats club!

It starts to hurt less after a year or two...

 

[Feline Costumier]

She doesn't mean to scratch, but accidents happen. 

Nail on head. Cats have claws, as a slave we are aware of this, I'm sure we have all been covered in scratches in varying degrees of severity at some. Just the other day Dave went to jump onto the arm of the chair but over-egged it and sunk his claws into the back of my arm. OUCH!!! But he's a cat and as such comes with claws, it's not his fault if we get caught sometimes and as such should not be punished for this by the use of softpaws.

I'm glad you have decided against them, welcome to scarred by our cats club!

[mallory]

Thanks everyone for your input. Having read your comments, I've decided not to try softpaws.  I'll try some cat claw-trimmers first (I've been using nailclippers, which may not be sharp enough). Spooks claws really do need to be trimmed regularly. It's not that she scratches furniture - she likes to ambush me and hug my ankles, grab my hands when we're playing, and ride around the house on my shoulder. She doesn't mean to scratch, but accidents happen. 

[Indys Mamma]

how is she for handling? maybe instead of clipping you could just file off the very tip of each claw using a nail file?

(if Indy has any rough bits after his manicure I do this, he seems to like the attention  )

[Angeladeedah]

My friend bought these for her 2 indoor cats - luckily she couldn't get them to go on.   I can't stand them and think they're cruel.   If your worried about your furniture - then really, don't get a cat!!

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Im sure Lynn puts them on her indoor cat so he does not ruin the furnature, but thats her choice.

Just want to wade in here since Lynn isn't on here very often.  Lynn does not put softpaws on her indoor cat for any reason, as far as I know.  She used them once on a cat that she fostered on a temporary basis, iirc.

I am only in favour of softpaws in exceptional circumstances, eg if they will help with a cat scratching a wound, where a cat is aggressive and is causing injury to other cats or to humans etc.  and then only as a temporary measure.  They are, of course, a better option than decalawing so I am glad that some US owners choose them over that option.

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

I dont think it would be a good idea to use them if her nails are splitting, it could do more damage. I think they should only be used as an emergency measure IE if the cat has an open wound and it keeps scratching it.

I did consider putting them on Harry to stop him climbing the fence but decided against it.

[Beanie]

Soft Paws come from the USA. As many of you know they declaw cats over there, which is barbaric and I'll stop there or I will be banned from this site Thankfully declawing is not practiced in the UK as it is regarded quite rightly as mutilation by the RCVS and pet lovers.In saying that it is a better option in the USA than declawing although neither are right and are totally cruel.

AS far as the UK is concerned, I would urge you not to buy these. I am totally with MadKitty Rescue in her opinion and would add that cats need their claws for defence and to be a whole cat using scratch post or clawing at paper, etc. It does not matter if they are indoor or outdoor cats. Too mant indoor cats have been lost and the owner says that they never go out. They may be vigilant but more often than not it is youngsters or guests who unthinkingly release them. If this happened to your cat, how would it defend itself from attack?

This product has nothing to do with a cat's welfare or well being and is only available to make somebody money based on playng on owner's worries about scratching and clawing. Scratching and clawing problems can be dealt with in other time honoured and safe ways.

Please do not subject your cat to this ill thought out novelty product.

[madkittyrescue]

sorry guys but I don't agree with them at all! cats have claws for a reason and have to be able to scratch when they need to....that's what scratching posts are for after all.

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

Soft paws should only be used in a emergency and not for long.............its not nice for cats to have things stuck to their claws

[Indys Mamma]

I don't have personal experience but a friend does... her cats had them on and she was constantly clipping the claws, more than usual, as they were never used for grippint and therefor not worn down at all

I use the cat clippers found here, on zooplus

also Misha's claws split and Indy's used too, due to them not having quite enough fish oils in the diet... Indys claws are now great and his coat is beyond fabulous, feels like silk... Misha will take a while to condition up

[Desley (booktigger)]

If they are splitting, you might not be cutting them right - what are you using? Softpaws dont stop their claws from going, so you would still need to keep on top of them.

[mallory]

Hey all,

I was wondering if anyone has tried using softpaws claw sheaths, and what they think of them?

Spook is a bit grabby, so I trim her claws, but I've noticed that they seem to be splitting or fraying when I use clippers. It doesn't seem to trouble her, but I'd rather not risk her claws being damaged.  I've heard of 'Softpaws' and I'm wondering if it's worth giving them a try. Spook's an inside cat, and doesn't climb very much due to a disability, so she doesn't really need to have sharp claws.

Also if anyone has tried anything else with success, please tell me.