soft claws

jenvetnurse

well this seems to have caused a stir.

Packleaders last comment was a bit unfair tbh - 'I see cats as living, breathing, individuals, with a need to express themselves in a natural way, not as nice, pretty, fluffy ornaments that have to sit there and be good.

This is a bit ott.
I am a responsible Veterinary Nurse - I am using these as a last resort to rehoming Suki is a handful and I did rehome her + the lady returned her after a week. I have put the soft claws on and she hasn't even noticed. She is just as happy/lively and so far not at all bothered.

How could I explain to my boy if he lost an eye or was scarred for life because of my cat? It is a difficult situation and I do believe soft claws have their place. If they are used to protect a child then I believe they should be promoted.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but you can not generalise - you have to have an opinion in each situation.

If you had a choice rehomed the cat you love, or use soft claws which would you choose? Bear in mind she cannot go to most people as she is a live wire and polydactyl/highly strung - she may end up back in the rehoming centre time and time again.

jenvetnurse

Soft claws have their place.

What would you chose:

a-rehome Suki but I have already tried this + she was returned as she is quite a handful + a lot of people couldn't cope - she may spen her life in + out of rehoming centres.

b-risk my baby being scarred for life/losing an eye

c-use soft claws

it's fine to express an opinion but be in the real world - who comes first a baby or a cat?

I am trying to find the solution - its not ideal but Suki seems happy as ever.

jenvetnurse

also i have only applied then to her 4 main front feet - she still has back claws free but i want to prevent her swiping claws mainly.

yokitten

I couldnt have said it better Jenny.
Just because I use these Soft Claw Nail caps on my indoor cat does not suggest I am cruel or not looking out for her interests.
I use them because I had a major scratching problem that could not be trained out of her, no matter how much I tried.
People say why did you keep a cat then if you can not put up with its behaviour?

Well, why do 80% of cat owners Spray thier cat? itnt it unnatural to preform surgery on a cat leaving it in pain, to remove its reproductive system for our convenience?

Cat collars, that s not natural either, but we force our cats to wear glasty neck restraints for our convience?

Soft Claws was developed by a vet to help ease the pain of cats suffering from self multilation caused by feline skin conditions.
Look pass the colours and the marketing spin, its a really great idea and If a cat does not like it, it can easily chew them off.

Personally my cat loves them. Laughing

As Jenny pointed out a Babies safety is far important than a cat dignity.

_Jules_

jenvetnurse

cat collars can do an awful lot of harm.

i have just taken on a cat who has a collar injury where her front leg was stuck through the collar - the wounds was large and will take ages to heal poor girl.

I think the point was that collars/soft claws/spaying etc is all what we are imposing in the cats best interest.

Saying 'its not natural' is unhelpful as their enviroment is totally domesticated. If we let them 'be natural' then they would live in feral colonies. So on one hand you say be natural and on the other you say spay - you can't have your cake and eat it! Lets be realistic here.

jenvetnurse

thx for your comments yokitten - i think soft claws are ideal and as i say a lot of people give up on their cats - and their damage does cause argueing in the household - Suki was scaling 6ft fence today and had no trouble whatsoever hanging on with soft claws on her front feet.