Soft Claws Nail Caps for Medium Cats, 40 Caps, Pink

Soft Claws are vinyl caps that you glue over a cat's claws so scratching doesn't do damage. This kit for medium cats costs about $14 and averages 4.1 stars from about 9,700 ratings.

What you get

40 caps and two tubes of adhesive, both made in the USA. The medium size is for cats of roughly 9 to 13 lb; there are also kitten, small and large sizes. Soft Claws says the caps were invented by a veterinarian.

Applying them takes three steps: trim the nails, put a little adhesive in a cap, slide it on. Each application lasts about four to six weeks. The caps fall off naturally as the claw grows, and the kit covers up to about six months. Soft Claws says the caps are non-toxic and pass through harmlessly if a cat swallows one.

The cat can still extend and retract its claws and go through the scratching motion. It just can't shred anything.

Who it's for

• Leather couch owners, since adhesive protectors and pins can't go on leather
• Cats that won't redirect to a post despite weeks of effort
• Homes with kids, older people or anyone whose skin gets scratched easily

Who should skip it

Cats that won't tolerate having their paws handled. If trimming nails is already a fight, ask your vet or a groomer to do the first application; many will. Caps also don't replace a scratching post. The cat still needs somewhere to scratch.

Not declawing

Nail caps are often recommended as an alternative to declawing. Declawing removes the last bone of each toe; the American Veterinary Medical Association discourages it as an elective procedure, and several states have banned it. Our how to stop cats scratching furniture guide covers the full range of options.

Alternatives

Before caps, try a protector plus a post: Panther Armor double-sided sheets on fabric, or a Sofa-Scratcher on a leather couch corner. See the best cat scratch protectors roundup for more.