Soft Claws for Cats

starsinjenseyes

We're getting a new couch and while my two cats aren't scratchers (they are great at using their scratching post about 95% of the time), I'm afraid they're going to shred the new couch to pieces. Has anyone tried the Soft Claws before: http://www.softclaws.com/about.asp

I'm curious if they are worth the money and effort. Anyone have any experience with them or have other suggestions for keeping the cats from clawing my new couch?

new2hood

I used them, and they work pretty well. The glue that comes with them sux though, make sure you use a lot.

leozoeypiper

Soft claws do work well. You will have to put them on about once a month.

starsinjenseyes

Hey thanks! I'm going to try them out and see how they work. I can't wait to see my kitties with pink and purple "toes"!

drano

Have you tried clipping their claws? You need to be a little careful, but it's pretty quick and easy - especially once the animal grows accustomed to it. We also have the requisite scratching post. It took our cat a month or two to accept it, but she doesn't use anything else now.

alafairnadia

Drano wrote: Have you tried clipping their claws? You need to be a little careful, but it's pretty quick and easy - especially once the animal grows accustomed to it. We also have the requisite scratching post. It took our cat a month or two to accept it, but she doesn't use anything else now.

I get shredded every time. shredded. so now my sofa looks weathered and I'm thinking of just taking them to a groomer for clipping.

drano

alafairnadia wrote: I get shredded every time. shredded. so now my sofa looks weathered and I'm thinking of just taking them to a groomer for clipping.

Oh yeah, I got shredded the first few times as well - but she seems to accept the inevitability of the situation now and prefers to get it over with instead having a 10 minute battle. On the other hand, she's pretty easy going, I've had cats where it never would have flown. It's worth a shot.

starsinjenseyes

I do trim their claws every 3-4 weeks and they are used to having it done. I usually wait until they are sleepy and more complacent to trim their claws. That seems to work and they do definitely use the post. It seems they only scratch furniture when they're hungry or trying to get our attention.

Today is the first day with the new couch and I haven't put the soft claws on yet. So far, they haven't tried to scratch the new sofa, so I'm going to keep an eye on them and see if we can do without them.

tajmb

You could try the tin foil/saran wrap method for a while. Just wrap around the arms until the cats develop a negative association with the couch arms. Most upholsterers will also make you some arm cover that are just another piece of the same fabric that is fitted over the arms. These are great for sloppy husbands who are too lazy to lean forward and put their drink on the coffee table too. You can just take them off when company comes over.

As for cat nail clipping, I had one cat that I did one nail at a time when he was sleeping. It might take a few days, but cats do sleep a lot. I also found they behave better if you praise them endlessly afterwards and give them treats.