Nail Caps
Invented by a veterinarian, Dr. Toby Wexler, Soft Paws® have been on the market since 1990.
This is an amazing product that really works. Most cats tolerate Nail Caps extremely well. The vast majority of cats don’t even know they are wearing them. If you would like to read some comments from people already using Soft Paws, please visit their testimonials page.
Nail Caps are extremely safe and non-toxic. The adhesive is the same type of adhesive used in many veterinary procedures. The caps and dried adhesive are non-toxic and completely safe.
Nail Caps will not interfere with the normal extension and retraction of your cats nails. Your cat can still scratch with Nail Caps allowing normal stretching and scratching behaviour to continue — just no damage will occur.
Veterinary approved
Once the nail caps are applied, they remain in place for approximately 4-6 weeks. They will fall off with the natural growth of your cat’s nails. We recommend that you check your cat’s nails periodically, because usually just one or two fall off at a time and these can be easily reapplied. If they are not all fallen off in 6 weeks, they must be removed.
Note: While the vast majority of cats acclimate to the claw covers within minutes, some cats may require an adjustment period. Some Cats’ clean natures causes them to groom the claw covers excessively at first. This may result in one or two falling off. We generally wait 5 mins before putting the cat away.
Are Nail Caps safe and do they hurt the cat?
Nail Caps are completely safe, painless and non-toxic. Even if they are swallowed, no problem will result. They just pass on through the digestive system. The glue is harmless as well.
Can cats still extend and retract their claws with the Nail Caps?
Absolutely. Nail Caps are designed not to interfere with the normal extension and retraction of claws.
Cats extend and retract their claws by flexing and extending a tendon, much like when you extend your ankle to point your toe. The nail does not retract into a sheath, even though that is how it might appear. The nail caps are thicker and blunter then your cat’s nails, so they are more visible. And if a coloured nail cap is used, it is even more visible. Cat’s nails are very thin at the end so they are difficult to see normally.
Can cats get infections from these like humans can get from acrylic nails?
No. Cat’s claws are completely different from human nails. Cats shed the outer sheaths of their claws periodically. You have probably seen this around their scratching post (or couch). The same happens when they are wearing Nail Caps. The nail cap comes off with the normal shedding of the outer nail sheath. This prevents the possibility of infection.
What should I do if the Nail caps stay on longer than six weeks?
Normally the nail caps will fall off with the natural growth of the cat’s nails. But, some cats (actually very few) don’t shed their nails as rapidly as other cats and the nail caps don’t fall off on their own. If this occurs, all that needs to be done is to trim the very tip of the nail cap. This will help break the adhesive seal and the nail caps should fall off. If they don’t fall off, call us and we can remove them.
Please Note: It is important to periodically check your cat’s nails, i.e., once weekly, to ensure none of the nails have grown too long. Since cats’ nails grow in a curved manner, if they grow too long, they will start to curl under the paw pad. If you notice the nail is too long, just trim the tip of the nail cap to remove.
Can Nail caps be used on back Paws?
Yes. Although most people apply Nail Caps only to the front paws, they can also be used on the back if desired.
Applying Nail Caps to the hind claws will help prevent damage from cats jumping on and off furniture. Also, many people have used Nail Caps on the hind Paws of cats who have skin problems and scratch excessively. The nail caps help prevent self-inflicted damage from scratching.
Should Nail Caps only be used on indoor cats?
Yes. Nail Caps should only be used on indoor cats because they will blunt the cat’s defences. Cats who go outdoors should not wear Nail Caps.
Do you have Nail Caps for Dogs?
Yes we do, limited sizes and colours so best to pre-order them.
