How to Save Your Furniture Without Declawing Your Cat

While no one likes to have their furniture torn up, not everyone wants their cats declawed. There are the fears of, "What happens if they got outside? They wouldn't be able to defend themselves!" Or, "My cat is older, I don't want to put him through that now!" Whatever the reason, the fact still exists that you like that new sofa, and you don't want to see it destroyed. Veterinarian Toby Wexler created Soft Claws as a safe alternative to declawing. The Claws are caps that, with adhesive, are stuck over the cat's nail. The Claws and the adhesive are non-toxic and harmless to your cats.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Soft claws
• Extra pair of hands (optional)

1. Buy the Soft Claws. At their website (see Resources), you can get them in a dizzying color selection. Green and red for the holidays? Of course. Pink and white? Yep. If you would prefer to buy them in a store, they are also sold at Petsmart and Petco, among others.

2. Trim your cat's nails. The nails need to be trimmed before putting the Soft Claws on. If you have not trimmed the claws before, it's important to know to avoid the pink tissue in the nail known as the quick. Cutting the quick will cause your cat pain and the nail to bleed.

3. 
   Blue Soft Claws

   Keep the cat calm. The best time to cut your cat's nails, as well as apply the Soft Claws, are when they are already calm. If they have been napping or laying around, you will have fewer problems.

4. Have someone help you. It will make applying the Soft Claws easier, but you can also put them on by yourself. If you do have someone, ask them to apply the Claws for you, while you hold your cat. Just as you would at the vet, pet her and talk to her to help keep her calm.

5. Put the adhesive on the inside of each Claw and cap over the nail. They will last four to six weeks, but occasionally one or two may fall off in between. If this happens, use a new Soft Claw and recap. There is no need to trim the nail again if it hasn't been four to six weeks since the last time.

Tips & Warnings

• Some people prefer to cap all the nails, but the front are the only ones that are necessary.

Resources

• Soft Claws
• Petco

[jshugs77]

on 8/18/2008 Thanks, I'll check it out!

[1citygirl]

on 8/18/2008 Here is an article on pet proof furniture you might find interesting. Good article. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/833991/selecting_pet_proof_home_furniture.html?cat=30