Are Nail Caps Safe for Cats?

Cats LOVE to scratch. That’s certainly not news for cat owners everywhere. We fill our house with scratch posts and do our best to save our furniture. But what about nail caps? Are nail caps safe for cats? Let’s take a closer look…

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There are many steps that we can take as cat owners to save our furniture from destruction at the hands (er, paws and nails) of our cats.

Earlier this year, I shared my tips and tricks to stop your cat from scratching your furniture.

As part of that list, I brought up the fact that we use Soft Paws nail caps in our house.

Since that post, I have received a number of messages asking about the use of nail caps for cats and whether or note they are a safe option.

I would like to start by pointing out that no two cats are the same. This goes for any product that’s on the market, not just nail caps.

That being said, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using nail caps, as well as a couple of the more common myths.

Related: ‘Get Rid of ‘Cat Smell’ For Good with These Tips‘

What Are Cat Nail Caps?

Also known as cat claw covers or ‘kitty caps’, cat nail caps are a safe, non-toxic vinyl cover that is glued over each individual nail.

When applied, it looks as though your cat is wearing nail polish with the fun pop of colour.

For this reason, there are a variety of colours for each season and style, ranging from stark black to a glittery gold and every colour in between.

No interested in ‘decking out’ your cat in the colour of the season? Clear caps are also available.

The ‘glue’ used is a fast-drying, veterinary-grade adhesive designed to hold the vinyl cap on your cat’s nail until such time that they shed their nails naturally.

While there are a variety of different brands currently on the market, we only trust the Soft Paws brand in our home.

Why? The Soft Paws product was invented by veterinarian Dr. Toby Wexler as a humane alternative to declawing.

The parent company Aquanta LLC is owned and operated by veterinarian Dr. Christianne Schelling, a professional who has been selling the Soft Paws product for over 16 years!

Unlike other knock-off brands interested in making a quick buck, Soft Paws were designed with pets like ours in mind.

Is It True That Cat’s Can’t Retract Their Nails When Wearing Nail Caps?

This is arguably the biggest myth that exists in relation to cats and nail caps.

In order to properly explain why this is wildly inaccurate, we first have to take a step back and discuss how a cat’s nails work.

Contrary to popular belief, cats do not actually retract their nails up into the paw.

Instead, when a cat is relaxed, they simply life up off of the ground and come to rest in the fur around the toes.

Take some time to peek at your cat’s nails when they are resting, and you will likely catch a glimpse their nails among the fur (especially if they are a shorter-haired cat or a hairless breed like the Sphynx).

This means that the nail caps will simply retract with the nail, resting in the cat’s fur.

They are, however, seen a little easier than your cat’s natural nail when in the resting position due to the fact that they are thicker and often a bold colour.

NOTE: There are a variety of different sizes of nail caps available (Kitten, Small, Medium, Large).

The website discusses the recommended sizing based on your cat’s weight; however, you may need to size up or size down depending on your cat’s individual experience.

For more information about sizing, check out the company’s size guidelines.

Nail Cap Pros

As I previous mentioned, the nail caps are a more humane alternative to declawing your cat if their scratching has become problematic.

This may include not only the destruction of furniture, but also scratching family members (including children or those with bleeding/clotting problems).

They can also be used to protect those that struggle with chronic itching or other skin-related issues.

Made from a non-toxic material, Soft Paws are not only safe when applied properly on your cat, but also if they were to accidentally ingest a nail cap.

As they state on the company website, “They just pass on through the digestive system.”

Most cats will adjust to their new nail caps quickly. Before long, they won’t even notice that they are wearing them.

They do not interfere with the action of scratching or the benefits that come from this action (including stretching).

The only difference you will notice is that no damage will occur from the claws when they make the scratching motion on any surface.

Nail Cap Cons

As I sated above, most cats will adjust to their new nail caps quickly. Most being the key word.

There are some cats that will never fully adjust to this product, chewing and biting at them and effectively removing them each time that you put them on.

The only way to know if they will work for your cat is through trial and error.

They do require regular maintenance as your cat will shed the nail caps every 4-6 weeks.

Not only do you need to find time in your schedule to replace the caps regularly, but your cat will also have to tolerate the application process each time.

Finally, nail caps should not be used on any cat that does go outdoors as they can interfere with your cat’s ability to defend themselves against predators.

Related: ‘Easy Homemade Cat Treats with Pumpkin‘

Conclusion – Are Nail Caps Safe for Cats?

YES! In most cases, nail caps provide a safe, effective solution to problem scratching.

However, as with many other products, you need to ensure that you are purchasing from a trustworthy and reputable brand like Soft Paws.

For more information about the Soft Paws brand, or to purchase this festive green and gold glitter combo, visit their website.

Have you ever tried using Soft Paws or another nail cap product on your cats? If so, I would love to hear about your experience in the comments!