Nevena Nedeljkovic
Living with a cat is fun! But if the cat constantly claws at you or your guests, and damages your expensive furniture, it takes the ‘fun‘ part out of the equation! If you are dealing with such a cat at home, using cat nail caps can help. It’s a safer and more humane alternative to declawing. But with so many options out there, how to choose the best nail caps for cats?
The best nail caps are made of high quality and durable material. Make sure they are non-toxic as cats have a tendency to chew on them. The same thing goes for the adhesive that comes with it. Select the right size for your cat’s claws. Color can be last in your list of priorities. To save you some time, we’ve listed the best nail caps for cats that tick all the boxes.
These tiny plastic caps cover sharp cat nails and prevent injuries to you or damage to your stuff. We have also covered a couple of techniques that will help you stop your cats scratching behavior. So, let’s get right to it!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Nail Caps for Cats: Buying Considerations
All cat nail caps resemble the natural shape of a cat’s nail and look pretty much the same. They should provide a comfortable and snug fit that won’t interfere with your cat’s movement.
Here are a few other things to consider when shopping for the best nail caps for your cat.
Safety
Some cats may try to chew off the nail caps and accidentally swallow them no matter which nail caps you use. This is especially true if they are not used to nail caps. So double check to make sure that the nail caps and the adhesive that comes with it, are not toxic.
Size
Finding nail caps in the right size is a must! If the caps are too small, they won’t slide on to the nails. If they are too big, they will fall off easily.
Most average sized cats will need medium-sized nail caps. Nonetheless, make sure the seller offers more than one size and check their size chart to find the perfect fit.
Durability
Cat nail caps normally last for about 4-6 weeks. The more durable they are, the less likely they are to fall off, split or need to be replaced often. This also depends on the quality of the glue.
Most manufacturers state how long you can expect their nail caps to stay on.
Generally speaking, good quality nail caps will stay on longer. So, look for ones that can last for 2 weeks at least.
Also, knowing how to apply cat nail caps the right way is necessary if you want them to stay on longer.
Appearance
Cat nail caps come in almost any color imaginable. Some even glow in dark! However, you can also grab clear nail caps that aren’t as fancy.
Besides being stylish, colored nail caps can also practical. You can easily spot when your cat has lost the cap. So, if you are a fan of bright colors, good for you!
Best Nail Caps for Cats
If you are still unsure about getting nail caps for your cat, read our article on cat nail caps pros and cons. Listed below are some of the best nail caps for cats you can find on the market. These are our recommendations of course, based on affordability, quality, and popularity.
Soft Claws Clear Cat Nail Caps
Soft Claws for Cats - CLS (Cleat Lock System), Size Medium, Color Clear
$16.88 in stock
Key features:
- Contents: 40 nail caps, adhesive, 6 applicator tips and user manual.
- Size & Color: Available in 3 different sizes. Clear color.
- Lasts 4-6 weeks after application.
- Made from non-toxic material.
Soft Claws Clear Cat Nail Caps are an excellent choice if you are looking for a simple solution to prevent destructive scratching. These nail caps come in a clear color which makes them easy to apply.
A great option if you never applied nail covers on your cat before.
Purrdy Paws Soft Nail Caps for Cats
Purrdy Paws Soft Nail Caps for Cat Claws USA Combo (Small)
Key features:
- Contents: 20 nail caps, regular adhesive, applicator tips and instruction manual.
- Size & Color: Available in 4 different sizes. 13 different colors to choose from.
- Safe & non-toxic.
- Developed by a vet.
Purrdy Paws Soft Nail Caps for Cats can help you put a stop to destructive scratching at a budget-friendly price. Developed by a veterinarian, these vinyl nail caps for cats are completely safe, non-toxic and each application lasts 4 to 6 weeks.
However, a few customers complained about these falling off too quickly. But this happens when there isn’t enough adhesive to keep the caps glued to the nail. To prevent this issue, fill the 1/3 of the nail cap with the glue and hold your cat still for a few minutes for the adhesive to dry.
Joyjuly Pet Cat Kitty Soft Claws
JOYJULY 140pcs Pet Cat Kitty Soft Claws Caps Control Soft Paws of 4 Glitter Colors, 10 Colorful Cat Nail Caps Covers + 7 Adhesive Glue+7 Applicator with Instruction, Medium M
Key features:
- Contents: 140 nail caps, glue, and applicator tips (7 pcs each) and instructions.
- Size & Color: Comes in 10 different random colors and 4 sizes.
- Last 4-8 weeks with proper application.
Made from natural vinyl resin the Joyjuly Soft Claws are non-toxic, safe, durable, and an inexpensive solution for destructive scratching. This nail kit contains 140 vinyl nail caps for cats that come in mat and glitter colors.
A few customers noted that the sizing information is inconsistent and that these nail caps run on the large size. Hence, double check your cat’s nails and try ordering a smaller size just to be on the safe side.
Victhy Soft Pet Cat Nail Caps
VICTHY 100pcs Cat Nail Caps, Cat Claw Caps Covers with Glue and Applicators Size Medium
Key features:
- Contents: 100 nail caps random colors, 5 pcs each of glue and applicators, instructions.
- Size & Color: 4 sizes and 5 different colors.
- Last 4-6 weeks.
- Product has passed environmental certification.
Victhy Soft Pet Cat Nail Caps are designed to be durable, but are at the same time soft, comfortable to wear, and will allow your cat to retract her claws normally. They are available in several sizes, from kitten to large and come in a set of 100.
A few customers have stated that these caps stay on for far too long and that they had troubles removing them. However, this can happen with any nail caps, and it is up to you to check them weekly and remove them when the time comes.
Other than the four nail caps mentioned above, the following are also worth considering.
Other Ways to Stop Cat’s Scratching
While nail caps are true lifesavers for many people, they should only be used if you are out of any other options.
If you aren’t sure that you are at the end of the road just yet, here are some alternatives you can try to curb your cat’s destructive scratching.
Get Cat Trees & Scratching Posts
Having a place to run around, jump, climb and hide is important for any cat.
A high cat tree will give your cat a chance to do all the things she loves. Especially if it comes with an integrated scratching post. Before you go hunting for the best nail caps for cats make sure that your cat already has appealing and suitable scratching surfaces in your home.
However, cats can be picky and there is always a chance that your cat will find your sofa more appealing than her scratching post.
Providing Cat Toys
Cats can sometimes start to scratch when they get bored. Providing fun cat toys can help alleviate boredom and discourage your cat from scratching your furniture.
You can also use toys to help your cat discover how interesting a cat tree and a scratching post can be. It can help her to associate them with positive playful feelings. And once your cat realizes how fun her toys are, she will no longer feel the urge to rip your bed covers to shreds.
Using Spray Bottle
Using a spray bottle can be a hit or miss, depending on your cat. So, you should be careful and stop if it makes your kitty afraid of you.
Fill a bottle with water and spritz a bit on your cat every time she scratches something of value. Or you can also try filling the bottle with a lemon or lime scented water and spray around the areas you want your cat to stop scratching.
So, Do Cat Nail Caps Work?
Well, we have written a detailed article to answer this question. You can read it here.
But if you want a short answer, it’s yes. Nail caps are a great solution for naughty cats who like to scratch stuff. They are safe to use and will result in a ‘scratch-free‘ household!
Hope you found the list of best nail caps for cats useful. Using these will make life a lot easier for you as well as your cat.
