Declawing a cat prevents it from scratching furniture and other inappropriate items, but many cat owners consider it cruel and look for alternate methods. Soft Paws have become a popular alternative because they don't harm the cat or interfere with its natural behaviors. They don't require you to trim the cat's nails, which makes them relatively easy to apply. This also eliminates the danger of inadvertently trimming the quick of the cat's nail, which can be painful.
Instructions
Consult the size chart on the Soft Paws website to determine the proper size to purchase for your cat. Soft Paws nail covers come in kitten, small, medium, and large sizes to accommodate virtually any cat. If your kitten is younger than 12 to 16 weeks old, it may be too small to wear Soft Paws until it gets older.
Purchase the correct sized Soft Paws kit for your cat. In addition to selecting the size, you can also choose from a variety of colors. The kit will include 40 Soft Paws nail caps and adhesive to keep them attached to the cat's nails once they are applied.
Clip off the tip of each of your cat's nails just enough for the Soft Paws cap to fit all the way down to the nail's base. You can do this with standard pet nail clippers. You don't need to actually trim the nail. Just remove the tip to ensure a proper fit. Squeeze each of the cat's paw pads gently so the nail will protrude enough to remove the tip.
Fill a Soft Paws nail cap one-third full of adhesive and slip it onto one of the prepared nails. Gently squeeze the paw pad until the nail protrudes far enough for you to slip on the Soft Paws pad and push it down to the base. Repeat this process with each of the cat's nails.
Keep your cat occupied for five minutes to allow the adhesive to set once all of its nails are capped with Soft Paws. You can do this with food, treats, petting, or anything else that will hold the cat's attention.