Cat Nail Caps: Is Cat Claw Covers Safe?

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Updated on: 12/22/2022

Cats are adored by many worldwide and have been beloved pets for thousands of years. They offer companionship and keep owners smiling with their goofy antics. However, sometimes their natural tendencies to scratch can get them into mischief. This can cause them to scratch objects that they shouldn’t, and pet nails can be sharp. Such things may include furniture, carpet, or other people and pets.

Photo by @user12469473 from Freepik

Cat owners often struggle with deciding how to manage scratching as they do not want their furniture or carpet damaged. One potential resolution for pet scratching is claw covers. This post will contain all the information you need to learn what they are, how to apply them, and the pros and cons of your kitty wearing them. Read on to find out more about this unique product.

What are Cat Nail Caps?

So, what exactly are they? In essence, they are tiny pieces of plastic or vinyl that resemble fake nails for pets. They are designed to fit over a nail and are typically only applied to a front claws, not to the back claws. The kitty caps act as a barrier between a cat’s set of claws and anything they scratch. This will prevent any unwanted damage done by their claws, whether it be on furniture, carpet, or other humans and animals. Cat lovers, rejoice!

Nail covers are applied to the pet’s claws with a special kind of non-toxic super glue. This can be done either at home, in a vet’s office, or by a groomer. Nail caps are not permanent and will need to be replaced every four to six weeks as the cat’s nails grow back. You can purchase them online or at any pet store. They are available in a wide range of fun colors as well.

Can Nail Caps Hurt Cats?

It is understandable why a pet might not want to have claw covers applied, but they do not hurt cats as long as they are properly applied. The pet should still be able to extend and retract its front claws normally. If you are concerned about not being able to apply them properly, ask for veterinary advice and if you can observe. That way, they can do a live demonstration on how to apply the caps and you can learn from them.

Photo by Allen Cheng on Unsplash

How to Apply Cat Nail Caps

If you choose to apply the claw covers to your cat’s nails on your own, it might require some patience and practice. ^[1] Every pet will likely react differently, but if the nail covers are new for them, they might be fussy about applying them. This is perfectly normal. Here is a step-by-step process of applying the nail caps:

The necessary first step is to trim claws. Trim them enough as to where the nail cap comfortably fits to the base of the nail. Do not apply the glue until the nail cap properly fits your kitty’s set of soft claws.
Next, fill the claw covers about one-third of the way with a enough glue. Give the cap a gentle squeeze to evenly distribute it evenly on the inside and release any air bubbles. If some oozes out of the cap’s top, you insert too much glue. Use a paper towel to wipe off any excess glue before applying.
Take your cat’s paw in your hand. Place index finger on the bottom of the paw while gently pressing your thumb on the top of the paw to extend the nails.
Gently slide the glue-filled nail caps onto your pet’s nail beds one by one.
Hold your pet steady for a few minutes while the glue dries. After releasing them, observe how they react to wearing the claw covers.

If you are somebody who is a visual learner, try looking up a video on YouTube of somebody applying cat nail caps before trying it yourself. You can also ask your vet or a groomer for any tips and tricks.

Tips for Using Cat Nail Caps

Wearing nail caps will be an adjustment for your cat, but there are some tips to remember that will help you out. First, choose the right size to ensure maximum comfort for your cat. ^[2] The package should have a weight chart on it. This will show which size covers you should select based on your pet’s weight.

Second, the covers should eventually fall off by themselves by the claw’s natural growth process. However, if they still haven’t fallen off after eight weeks, you will need to remove them yourself. To do this, trim off the tip of the nail cap with a pet nail clipper and then gently flex and pull off the remainder of the cap.

Lastly, remember to give your pet praise and treats after applying the soft claws. Positive reinforcement might give them a reason to look forward to the next application. Every pet is different. Some cats might learn to like wearing nail caps, but sensitive cats might hate them. If your kitty is showing signs of distress while applying or wearing the caps, don’t force them to wear them.

Pros and Cons of Using Cat Nail Caps

There are pros and cons to just about any concept or situation and using cat claw caps is no exception. Here is a list of pros and cons before applying nail caps on your cat. ^[2]

Prevents pets from damaging carpet, furniture, and other items while scratching.
Prevents cats from scratching people and other pets in the household.
Nail caps are safe and painless for pets, so long as they are applied properly.
They are a safe and humane alternative to declawing.
It is not a permanent solution. If your cat does not like wearing them, they can be removed, or you can wait for a few weeks while they grow naturally.
Cats can still scratch on their scratching posts while wearing the nail caps.

Some pets may not tolerate applying the soft caps, which could cause them distress.
Not applying the caps properly could result in an infection. You will need to keep an eye on claws to make sure no infection is beginning to spread.
They must be replaced after about six weeks.
If the caps do not fall off naturally after eight weeks, you will need to remove them by yourself. Some cats may not like this.
Some pets might chew off the caps and swallow them, harming them.
Nail caps take away a pet’s ability to defend itself from other animals and should only be used on indoor cats.

I Trim Cat Nails. Do I Need Kitty Caps?

Trimming a cat’s claws is always smart, especially for indoor cats. There is not necessarily a right or wrong answer as to whether or not you need to put claw covers on your pet. If your kitty is a destructive scratcher, there are some other methods you can try before resorting to claw covers. Ensure you give them enough attention as some cats might scratch out of boredom. Also, give them toys and scratching posts that are exclusively for them. Reward them when they scratch on those instead of furniture or carpet.

Photo by Gianluca from Pixabay

RELATED: Best Cat Nail Clippers

People also ask:

Do vets recommend nail caps for cats?

Vets will typically recommend claw covers as a last resort to combat destructive scratching. Nobody wants to have their cat destroying their personal property by scratching. Until your kitty learns that they can only scratch their posts, having them wear nail caps may not be such a bad idea to try out.

Are cat nail caps cruel?

Some people might believe that claw caps are cruel because cats might not like wearing them. When appropriately applied, they are not painful at all. The claws on their front paws still extend and retract typically. Cats can also still do all of their normal daily activities with the nail caps, including scratching and do not causing damage.

Are claw caps humane?

Claw caps for cats are considered humane and can serve as an excellent remedy to combat destructive scratching. They are a great alternative to declawing a cat, which many consider inhumane. Such claw covers are not permanent, although some cats may not enjoy applying them.

How long do caps stay on the cat’s nails?

Most sets of caps stay on a cat’s nails for approximately four to six weeks. More than likely, they will not all fall off at once, which means that cats might get into mischief and scratch things they aren’t supposed to with their exposed claws. If the caps do not fall off naturally after six to eight weeks, you will need to remove them yourself. To do this, use cat nail clippers to snip off the tip of the nail cap, and then use your fingers to slide off the rest gently.