Dr. Toby Wexler invented Soft Claws as an alternative to painful declawing surgery.
Like false fingernails for humans,
Soft Claws are glued on to the cat's nails. As the nails grow, the Soft Claws fall off and need to be replaced.
Soft Claws are available in a variety of colors and sizes, and come with application instructions.
The nail caps are nontoxic and pass easily through the digestive system if swallowed. They're applied with the same adhesive used in many veterinary procedures.
Cats wearing Soft Claws can still extend and retract their claws. And they can still stretch and scratch, but since their nails are covered, they won't damage the furniture.
Declawing is more than a "manicure." In declaw surgery, the veterinarian removes the top digits of the cat's toes. Declawing affects a cat's balance and posture, and can cause many more problems than it solves. The United States is one of the few countries where it is not illegal.
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- Applying Soft Claws Nail Caps for Cats
- Undesirable scratching is one of the prime reasons for surrendering cats to shelters, but there are less aggressive alternatives to declawing or abandonment. Soft Claws, developed by a veterinarian, ranks high on the list of humane alternatives.
- Since Soft Claws has long been on my recommended list of alternatives to declawing, I welcomed the opportunity to review this innovative product. Soft Claws comes in a reclosable plastic container, which includes 40 nail caps (enough for several applications), two tubes of adhesive, and instructions for application. If your cat is used to having his nails trimmed, applying Soft Claws is a breeze.Trim your cat's nail tips as usual
- Fill the nail caps one-third full with adhesive
- Slide the nail caps onto the nails, one by one.
- Wait a minute or so to allow adhesive to set, then let your cat go.
Until you feel completely proficient with the process, you might want to just do one nail at a time for steps 2 and 3. If you or your cat are too timid, many veterinarians or retailers will handle the application for you, for a small fee, or even for free, if you purchase the Soft Claws from them.Soft Claws come in Kitten, Small, Medium, and Large sizes, and in Natural, Purple, Pink, Blue, and Red colors, and are available online, in local pet stores, and from veterinarians. If you are seeking relief from destructive or painful scratching by a cat, I highly recommend Soft Claws.
I know one kitty who will be sporting the red ones, just in time for the Holidays. - More info
- Cheap Cat Furniture
If I buy soft claws (Nail Caps) for my kitten would he still need a scratching post or something…?
- More info
- What is allergic contact dermatitis?
What is allergic contact dermatitis?
Allergic contact dermatitis is a rare disease which occurs when an animal's skin overreacts to certain small molecules in the environment. Substances which can cause allergic contact dermatitis include certain antibiotics applied to the skin; metals such as nickel; materials such as rubber or wool; and chemicals such as dyes and carpet deodorizers.
What is irritant contact dermatitis?
Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when the skin is exposed to severely irritating chemicals, such as the sap in poison ivy and salt on the road.
How do these two diseases differ?
Allergic contact dermatitis only affects those animals with a hypersensitivity to the molecule. Irritant contact dermatitis would affect every cat that is exposed to the irritant.
Allergic dermatitis requires multiple exposures to the molecule before it develops. It rarely occurs in animals less than two years old. Irritant contact dermatitis often occurs in inquisitive young animals who get into things they should not.
What are the symptoms of allergic and irritant contact dermatitis?
Lesions generally occur on the areas of skin that are sparsely haired and directly exposed to the offending molecules. This often means the back of the paws, abdomen, face, and lips. The affected areas are very red, have small bumps or vesicles (blister-like lesions), and itch. In irritant contact dermatitis ulcers may appear.
How are allergic and irritant contact dermatitis diagnosed?
The history and physical exam can often indicate what is going on. To isolate the allergen (molecule that caused the dermatitis), exclusion trials are often performed. In these trials, the animal is restricted to an uncarpeted room and kept off of the grass, for instance. If the animal's condition improves, potential allergens are slowly introduced one by one.
A 'patch' test can also be performed. In this test, a small amount of the allergen is rubbed on the skin, or a gauze pad containing the suspected allergen is bandaged on the pet's skin. The skin is monitored for 2-5 days for a reaction.
How are cats with allergic or irritant contact dermatitis managed?
The key to managing this condition is removing or restricting exposure to the allergen or contact irritant in the pet's environment. If that is not possible, then fatty acids, antihistamines, biotin, and topical shampoos can be used to control the itching.
As a rule, for any pet suspected of having an allergy problem that could include an allergic contact component, we recommend:- Glass or stainless steel food and water bowls, cleaned and rinsed well daily
- Hypoallergenic detergents for the pet's bedding
- Routine hypoallergenic shampoos for the pet to remove any allergens
- Restricting walking to sidewalks or paved surfaces - avoid grass
- More info
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Copyright © 2010 Softpaws All Rights Reserved.