Cat Declawing vs Soft Paws

Monday, July 11th, 2011 at 9:20 pm

Cat Declawing Considerations

I'd be the last one to preach about how cat declawing is cruel and unusual punishment for a beloved pet that likes to turn an expensive leather couch into a shredded piece of refuse. Cats are ... well, they are animals and we are giving them a home, shelter and food. As long as provide those things for them, we are loving cat owners and there is nothing cruel about doing what we think is best to protect the property in our homes. If you feel Cat declawing is the only way you can provide for your cat without your cat tearing up your home, I have no problem with that. I believe that what is best for your cat is also what is best for you and your home. Though, I have never personally believed in cat declawing, it is not because I think it is cruel and unusual punishment. There are some very good arguments against cat declawing that have as much to do with cat owner's well-being as much as cat's. For outdoor cats, it goes without saying; they need claws to protect themselves. If my cat is spending any amount of time outdoors, I certainly feel better knowing it has its claws to protect itself and use them as cats do in the wild. There is some evidence about cat declawing that suggests cats which are declawed often are not as well litter trained as cats with claws. I've read some research that suggests cat declawing can lead to behavioral problems such as refusal to use the litter box.Of course, you can make statistics and research look like just about anything these days, but this illustrates the point I made earlier about cat declawing. If it's best for you, then it is best for the cat. The real question is, "is there a way to keep your furniture safe without cat declawing?"

Soft Paws

A Natural Alternative to Cat Declawing

Imitation Cat Claws

I won't even use the word humane here, but let's just say that Soft Paws is the natural alternative to cat declawing. If you're against declawing your cat for any reason, yet are scared to death that you're home's furniture or young children in your home are at risk, then you need to look into soft paws. Soft paws are not exactly what their name suggests. They are more like fake, soft toenails for your cats claws. The idea sounds great in theory, but it may not be as easy as the Soft Paws video demonstration makes it look unless you have a particularly calm cat. To install Soft Paws, you must first clip the very tips of your cats claws. (Kittens claws don't need to be clipped) Then, you will need some adhesive and applicator to apply the Soft Paws. Soft Paws come in a variety of colors. You get over 40 soft paws in one package, so if you can get them on, they'll last you a while. Sounds great if you can get them on, but do Soft Paws really work?

Do Soft Paws Really work as well as Cat Declawing?

Cat owner reviews prove that the soft paws do in fact stay on pretty well, depending on the mood and temperament of your cat. Those who have relatively calm cats are understandably more satisfied with the product, knowing that the soft paws are not ridiculously hard to put on, if one of them is lost. If you're considering declawing your cat, but not wanting to do it - soft paws are certainly your next resort. If you're one of the lucky ones that has a cat you can handle, you might enjoy giving soft paws a try. You can even choose them in a variety of colors to give your cat the fashionable look he/she deserves. Before you consider cat declawing, why not give Soft Paws a try?