Nail Caps for Cats are a growing trend, one that is debated from both sides on the internet. One of the most popular companies that provide this product created them to stop cats damaging furniture. Now, inexpensive versions are widely available on popular discount websites as a gimmicky fashion accessory allowing cat parents to have matching manicures with their pets.
With lots of conflicting information about the safety of cat nail caps, we hope this article will give you the means to make a sensible decision.
What Nature Tells Us About Cat Scratching
Cats scratch as part of their natural behaviour for a few different reasons.
- Maintain it’s claws
- So they can effectively groom using their nails as a comb
- To leave a scent to mark it’s territory
- To stretch their bodies
- To express excitement, joy
Scratching should be expected by first time cat owners. It’s a natural quality of these independent animals. You can train your cat to avoid scratching furniture and instead use a scratching post.
Outdoor cats usually do most of their scratching outdoors as wood provides the perfect texture. To allow your indoor cat explore outside safely, consider a ProtectaPet system such as a Catio, Enclosure or Fence Top Barrier.
Cat Nail Caps Are Seen as Humane Last Resort to De-Clawing, but Does That Make it Safe?
Declawing is illegal in the UK and can cause lasting physical problems for your cat. However, this doesn’t mean that nail caps are the best solution for your cat by default.
We found the following issues with nail caps after reading through online reviews from cat parents:
- Hard to apply, have to pin cat down forcefully
- Biting them off (risk of swallowing)
- Can’t become accustomed, walking funny
- Paw pads becoming infected
- Causing more pain to cat to remove the caps (nail caps are not a permanent solution and must be removed)
- Removal by veterinarian after product can’t be removed at home
More Solutions to Cat Scratching
Cutting your felines nails should be done every 2-3 weeks and will prevent them becoming caught in carpets and fabrics which encourage a harder scratch.
Check out this Wikihow article for more tips on trimming your cats nails.
To allow your cat to go about its natural behaviour with the least risk to scratching inside the home, a ProtectaPet system allows a safe habinatural space without the normal risks letting your cat outside.
Creating a confined outdoor area with plenty of stimulus your cat will love is the healthiest and safest option for your cat.
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