Soft Paws?

[tekknocolor]

Has anyone ever used Soft Paws for their pets? I know they make them for cats and dogs, but just read something about them. I guess I'm anticipating that Aubie will start slashing our furniture, but wanted to research and find several solutions. He hasn't started yet, thank goodness, but you never know...

Anyway, could anyone provide any actual experience with the product?

Soft Paws Website

 

[MAM]

I haven't tried them myelf yet, but I have to laugh at the colors they come in. We're looking to pick some up soon ourselves as Reggie, the cat in my avatar, uses his claws to help him climb up on things (he's about 10 or 12 years old, needs the extra help getting on furniture), resulting in holes in all our sheets, holes in the couch, holes in my legs................

I'll be interested to hear as well anyone's experiences with these or a similar product.

My only concern with them is my cat will figure out a way to chew them off............... he has a special attraction to chewing on anything plastic (grocery bags are not safe in our house).

 

[tekknocolor]

I haven't tried them myelf yet, but I have to laugh at the colors they come in. We're looking to pick some up soon ourselves as Reggie, the cat in my avatar, uses his claws to help him climb up on things (he's about 10 or 12 years old, needs the extra help getting on furniture), resulting in holes in all our sheets, holes in the couch, holes in my legs................

I'll be interested to hear as well anyone's experiences with these or a similar product.

My only concern with them is my cat will figure out a way to chew them off............... he has a special attraction to chewing on anything plastic (grocery bags are not safe in our house).

Same concern here as well. And if he finally learns how to chew them off, what happens if he ingests them? I could definitely relate to the holes in your legs... I have them as well and on my arms. *bad kitty* Do they make similar products for their teeth?!

 

[SRC]

I have worked at Vet clinic that used them..all the customers seemed pleased with them. Never came across anyone with a cat that chewed them off...had a few that walked a little funny for a while though

** "shake shake shake" *picks up foot* "shake shake shake" *picks up another foot* "shake shake shake"**


lol..other then that no problems.

If they do happen to chew them up..they are so small...the peices will just pass like anything else they eat that doesn't digest.

Scratching
For unwanted scratching, provide an approved scratching post or other item. Issue firm "no!"s on unapproved items. You may wish to spray Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange (available at most pet stores) on items that they are particularly stubborn about. Praise them and give a cat treat when they use the approved scratching material. Demonstrate how to use the post by (yes) going up to it and scratching it like your cat would. They will come over to investigate your scent and then leave their own.
Pepper (black, white, or cayenne) can be applied to furniture and plants to discourage scratching. This does not deter all cats. You can also cover areas with double-sided tape (sticky on both sides) to discourage unwanted scratching. (Always be sure to provide an alternative scratching item.)

In general, cats will either use a post a lot or never use it. The deciding factor can be the material that the post is made out of. It has to be fairly smooth (cats usually don't like plush carpet) and shouldn't be a material that their nails get stuck in. Once that happens, they may not use the post anymore. Natural fiber rope wrapped tightly around the post appeals to many cats. Some cats like plain wood; a two-by-four made available may work well. Other cats prefer the kind of "scratching posts" that are horizontal rather than verticle.

Furniture
You may wish to keep your cat off of the furniture or off of a particular piece of furniture. Or to keep them off the counters and or tables. Because of a cat's ability to climb and jump, this isn't always a practical thing to do -- but you can somtimes train them to stay off very specifiic pieces of furniture or locations by covering it with aluminium foil. In most cases, a month of leaving the foil on when you leave the house will be effective.

http/www.fanciers.com/cat-faqs/behavior.shtml

 

[Annastasia]

We had them on one of our female cats. We got her older, and she was abused so if you yell at her she'll totally freak out and slink off and not eat at all for good long while. She has had to go to the vet sometimes because she wouldn't eat. All the Kittens we trained know better.

Anyway, It worked for a bit, the furniture didn't get scratched up. But she still had fairly sharp claws. Eventually they kind of wore off, or maybe she picked them off, I don't know. We weren't too thrilled with them, personally.

However, we may have had a bad experience. Everyone else we knew with them loved them, and swore by them. We might try them again on our little kitten who just insists on scratching the furniture. If we do, I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[SRC]

They are like fake fingernails..they have to be replaced on a regular basis. They just use a semi-permanent bonding glue to secure them...eventually the glue gives away..just like with fake fingernails .

I'm not sure how her claws were still sharp though . As they usually clip the end of the nail before applying them, with no way to "sharpen" the tips they should have stayed dull.

Maybe your vet was unfamiliar with the application process?

 

[fraservet]

I personally think these are a welfare issue, and wouldn't go near them.

From the original post, it sounds like you have a kitten/young cat. If so, you shouldn't have a problem getting him used to having his nails trimmed.
If you are unsure about actually cutting the nails, you can file the points off instead.
As long as you stay away from the pink inside the nail, you will be ok.

If you provide plenty of scratching posts, he will most likely prefer these to the furniture, and they will help keep his nails blunt.

 

[SRC]

Cats scratch on objects to sharpen the nails..not dull them .

Cats stretch and pull against the scratching surfaces to limber their bodies, as well as to "sharpen" their claws (by removing the sheaths that cover them). Be generous with scratching posts - cats love and need a variety of surfaces and planes, so scatter a few throughout the house.
http/cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/...bscratchers.htm

The reasons they scratch are practical and serve a purpose, by scratching a rough surface a cat loses the outer sheath of the nail, which is necessary for keeping the claws sharp and healthy.
http/www.petsalley.com/infobenefitsofascratchingpost.html

For the cat who just can't resist diggin in those flower pots

For the cat who likes to make your furniture look "rustic" lol.


And I just had to post this picture...I thought this cat was totally cool...I love those eyes.

I would like to note...cats can still participate in scratching activities with the application of Soft Paws..they just can't scratch anything. Once they get used to them on their feet..they resume normal activities..which also include scratching. They just aren't able to tear up what they are scratching.

 

[SirMinion]

I have seven cats, none of them have been declawed (very rare practice in the UK) and with the provision of scratching posts have never had problems with them destroying furnature.

I occasionaly get scratched when playing with them, but that's all part of owning a cat.

Softpaws seems an excellent option if your cat is troublesome, and so much better than ripping out its fingernails.

 

[fraservet]

oops, the last part of my post does seem to have been wrong.

certainly I would prefer that people use these soft paws than to have their cats declawed.

but I would prefer it even more if people who won't put up with this perfectly natural behaviour would get an animal that doesn't scratch a lot, rather than trying to alter one that does.

I suggest a tortoise.

 

[Jessica13]

Oh honestly, that is ridiculous!!!

Without wishing to cause too much offence, i really cant understand why some people have cats! It seems to be mainly in the US (i've never heard anyone i know moan about it..) that people insist on maiming (declawing) their cats just to avoid a few scratches to them or their furniture! If you're that bothered about it, dont have a cat! You know when you buy it that they have claws and can and will scratch your furniture if you let them so just dont get one!!

I have five cats and have never had any problems with them scratching the furniture as they know they're not allowed to. They have scratching posts and they use those if they feel the need to destroy something

Those 'soft paws' things are definately a better option than declawing but serious.. Why?!!

 

[SRC]

Um....not one person in this thread has mentioned/or supported having a cat de-clawed. That's just wrong.

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People want pets because they want them..plain and simple. It's part of our history to own pets. It's why "pet" animals exist. Because humans wanted them. And while I agree that some people do not need pets. I don't think it any of our places to tell anyone what they do and don't need based on a viable complaint they have with their current pet.

Dogs pee where ever they want naturally...I think if yours wouldn't quit peeing on your sofa leg, despite having been trained to not do it..you'd be making a post asking people for suggestions.

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Some cats are just little devils.

Personally none of my cats sharpen on the furniture, haven't ever had one that did. And I don't own a scratching post either. Most of them use the carpet in various places around the house..if they do it at all. Never noticed any spots looking "ragged" or anything. I think most just do it when I let them out as I water the plants...thus the pics of my Minnie on the tree root, "getting a manicure".

When you adopt a cat you don't know what behaivor they will possess. And cats are SO much different then dogs in the aspect of "training".
What you can "train" a dog to do..cats will just look at you like your stupid. You might get them to stop doing what you dislike by squirting them with water or telling them no...but you can rest assured when you leave..they do it. If for no other reason then to spite you.
Cats weren't designed to be trained, that's why most people just try to alleviate the behaivors they display..as opposed to trying to "train" them to not do it. Some cats will give in to the training..others just do it even more after you leave the room.
Cats are funny creatures that way. If you've never pissed your cat off..I suggest trying it one good time. And watch what it does to something of yours..they can be quite vindictive. lol

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When people have pets that display bad behaivors...they have to do something. Can't just let them rule your house...you are the owner...which means it's up to you to stop bad behaivor.

If your cat has picked up a bad habit, or if it came home with one (should it be an adoptee) and it exhibits a behaivor that does not suit you...you have to do something about it.

If someone has a cat, and then decides that that $3000 sofa they saw at the store would look perfect in their living room, and the cat decided to start using it as a scratching post..I think you can agree if it were yours..you'd be trying to fix the problem..and quick.

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And, for the record..I don't consider this thread a form of "whining" it is a thread asking for help. I don't think it very nice to put it in that context. That makes people not want to publicly ask for help the next time they have a problem. And that's what this forum is suposed to be for..to get help with problems you might have.

 

[fraservet]

I think you've argued my point very well there SRC

dogs can be trained - even a dog with fairly major behavioural problems can be sorted out by someone who knows what they are doing.

cats on the other hand are much more difficult to train, although not impossible.

also, there is an important difference between unwanted behaviour and abnormal behaviour.
a cat scratching the furniture is doing something perfectly natural, even though it may be unwanted.

If my cat starts to scratch the furniture, I will certainly try to train him not to.
If this doesn't work, he will simply be kept out of the living room.

 

[tekknocolor]

Seriously...

You can't post a question without being ridiculed...

Anyway, thanks everyone for your productive suggestions and opinions. Like I mentioned in the subtopic - I was thinking of declawing alternatives and the success rate of Soft Paws.

My kitten is unusual so far. He doesn't mind baths and loves it when you touch his feet. You should see him "kneed" the air when being rubbed on his tummy! He has 2 scratching posts and tons of toys, but it never hurts to anticipate an issue and trying to find a resolution before it's too late and we're left with putting stuffing back into the sofa.

And honestly, I don't care what your opinions are on declawing since that wasn't the question to start with... Sorry to offend, but if you have a question about the topic of the original post, please read it rather than immediately lashing out without knowing all the circumstances. This thread wasn't ever a debate - the intention was to gain information on a specific product.

It would be highly appreciated if those responding would limit their responses to just the product and their experience or their pet's experience. In response to the tortoise suggestion: Since I've been a member of this forum, I have never told people what kind of pet they should or should not own. I would like the same respect. Everyone's been a first time owner of some sort of animal at some point in their life. And honestly, the vet thinks we take care of kitten better than most people take care of their children.

Sorry for being harsh... I don't like feeling like I need to defend myself when there's nothing to argue about.

 

[Annastasia]

They are like fake fingernails..they have to be replaced on a regular basis. They just use a semi-permanent bonding glue to secure them...eventually the glue gives away..just like with fake fingernails .

I'm not sure how her claws were still sharp though . As they usually clip the end of the nail before applying them, with no way to "sharpen" the tips they should have stayed dull.

Maybe your vet was unfamiliar with the application process?

I don't know. We got them when they were still fairly new, so maybe they weren't skilled with them yet?

Still, Tekkno, I think they are a good option instead of de-clawing. I wouldn't use my experience as a huge indicator, since I'm thinking the vet messed it up. Everyone else I have heard from with them on their pets likes them a lot.