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Cat Nail Caps Pros and Cons

There are a few things that cat owners should consider before applying nail caps on their cats. Using cat nail caps can keep you and your furniture safe. But they will also limit your cat’s ability to climb and defend itself in fights. Let's look more into cat nail caps pros and cons in this article!
Nevena Nedeljkovic Nevena Nedeljkovic April 12, 2022
Cat Nail Caps Pros and Cons

Many cat owners use cat nail caps to protect themselves, and their costly furniture from those razor-sharp claws. Although nail caps make it safer to have cats around, it has its upsides and downsides. So, what are cat nail caps pros and cons?

Preventing your cat from scratching you or damaging your furniture, is the biggest advantage of using cat nail caps. These nail caps are also safe, can be easily removed and are a humane alternative to declawing. On the downside though, cats with nail caps are less able to defend themselves during fights. Plus, there is a possibility of causing an infection if you fail to check the nail caps regularly.

However, that’s only a short explanation about pros and cons of cat nail caps. Let’s discuss this topic in more detail, shall we?

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Cat Nail Caps Pros and Cons

Sometimes, a cat’s scratching behavior can get out of hand. And if you are sick of having your hands covered in band-aids all the time, then using nail caps is definitely a good solution.

But remember, some cats just hate them and will try to chew them off.

There are several ways you can control your cat’s sharp claws, nail caps being just one of them. However, if you want to give nail caps a go, the points discussed below will help you.

Cat Nail Caps Pros:
  • Unlike claws, nail caps have dull ends which prevent damage to expensive furniture, curtains, or carpets.
  • Avoid injuries to younger children and guests caused while petting a cat.
  • Cat sitters will feel much safer around anxious or shy cats who have nail caps on.
  • Can be used as a short-term solution or in the long run depending on your needs.
  • Great accessory to use while training a cat to use a scratching post.
  • No discomfort or risk of infection if best nail caps for cats are used and applied properly.
  • Unlike common beliefs, quality cat nail caps will not hinder normal claw growth inside the cap.
  • A safer and more humane alternative to declawing a cat.
Cat Nail Caps Cons:
  • Limit a cat’s hunting abilities and make it almost defenseless in fights. Better to be used on indoor-only cats.
  • Can be difficult to put on if your kitty has sensitive paws and doesn’t like her paws being touched.
  • Cat’s nails and paws need to be monitored regularly to avoid infection. Nails caps need to be replaced every 4-6 weeks.
  • Can have an indirect effect on a cat’s health by limiting its ability to move and climb.
  • Some cats hate nail caps and may try to chew them off. In doing so, they may accidentally swallow a nail cap, needing a visit to the vet.
  • Some cats adjust right away while others may have difficulties walking for a few days.
  • Most nail caps are not biodegradable.

So, there you go! We have discussed all the cat nail caps pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. But in the end, it is up to you to weigh in the pros and cons of cat nail caps and decide if they are a good option for you and your feline.

Other Questions You Might Have

Listed below are some of the most common questions that come across every cat owner’s mind when they think about using nail caps for their cats.

Are Cat Nail Caps Humane?

Truth be told, cat nail caps are one of the most ethical solutions for destructive clawing you are going to find. Furthermore, cat nail caps are humane, painless and they aren’t permanent either.

Therefore, you can use them if you need to curb your cat’s scratching habits.

Are Cat Nail Caps Cruel?

Although a more humane alternative to declawing, cat nail caps are still a subject of controversy. That’s because some cat owners use nail covers as fashion statement rather than a practical piece of pet equipment.

Some even go so far as to brag about matching the color of their cat’s claw covers with their own nails! Obviously, this sort of behavior casts a shadow on their actual purpose and makes people think of nail caps as a cruel and pointless accessory.

However, when used responsibly and for the purpose they were designed for, cat claw covers are a completely safe and ethical solution for destructive scratching.

Can Cats Still Climb with Nail Caps?

Cats have sharp claws that curve at the ends. This helps them to catch and hold onto their prey. It also allows them to climb surfaces more easily.

Nail caps, on the other hand, have dull ends. So, wearing nail caps can limit a cat’s climbing ability and make scaling a tree an impossible feat for your kitty. Considering this limitation, claw caps should only be put on indoor cats.

And if you can’t prevent your cat from going out, you may need to reconsider using the claw caps to being with.

Can Cats Retract Their Claws with Caps On?

You have probably heard that cats can’t retract their claws while wearing nail caps. However, this isn’t true!

When a cat extends and then retracts her claws, the nails aren’t going up into the paw itself. Retracting prevents the nails from touching the ground when a cat walks. While wearing nail caps, a cat’s paws can make the same natural movements of extending and retracting the claws.

That is, if the claw caps are applied properly.

Read our article on How to Apply Cat Nail Caps (and Remove Them) Safely?

The cat’s ability to retract the claws also depends on the size of nail caps. So, make sure to pick the right size for your cat. Furthermore, the nails must be properly trimmed before the application, and you must use just enough glue.

If you get everything right, your cat won’t have any trouble extending and retracting her claws while wearing nail caps.

So, Are Nail Caps Good for Cats?

Scratching is a natural behavior for all cats. But that doesn’t mean you should live with shredded furniture or have your hands in band-aids all the time!

If your kitty continues to claw at you despite having a scratching post, it may be the right time for you to consider using nail caps.

Using cat nail caps is a humane alternative to declawing and can help you to train your cat to use a scratching post instead of your sofa.

However, you should take into consideration the cat nail caps pros and cons listed above. It is up to you to decide if nail caps are the best solution in your case.

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