Does anyone know about alternatives to declawing?

[MoonGoddess665]

I have 4 cats and my bf and I are moving into a really nice one bedroom apartment. He and I both absolutely refuse to have the cats declawed (I detest it) but I need to stop the scratching. I have heard about two alternatives called Soft Paws and Sticky Paws. I was wondering if anyone used them and had any information on them. I want to know how they work and are put on and such. I also want to make sure my kitties aren't unhappy with this stuff on the end of their claws. Also, if anyone has any other suggestions other then the two I know about I'd love to hear about that too! I keep their claws trimmed but they always go and sharpen them right away. Please let me know, I'd really appreciate it!

Heather

[Left Paw]

We simply trim the cat's nails about once a month. They also have a scratching pad, liberally sprayed with catnip scent- and even though we live in a log cabin where every wall is a tempting wood surface, they never attack the walls or the furniture.

This is a lot like the pad we have:
http://www.petsmart.com/images/product/large/f204549b.jpg

Our cats bite and pull at their nails- we often take that as a sign that they need a trimming. I imagine nail caps would be pulled right off- it's be a waste of money and time consuming.

Declawing is cruel and unnatural- the new method of tendonectomy especially. It causes joint fusion and arthitis- and if anyone has or knows an elderly pet- arthritis is not something you want to invite early for them.

I like a lot of what they have to say here:

http://www.petsmart.com/cat/answers/natural%5Fhealth/articles/article%5F6975.shtml

[brandy pup]

Soft paws are a great alternative. AT the groomers were I work counter p/t we apply them and they stay on 4-6 weeks depending on the cat. You will get some biters and chewrers but we havn't had a problem with them coming off. We do lots of dogs as well due to hard word floors here.

www.softpaws.com

I will post some scrathing info later so look back.

[miasmom]

I agree with Left Paw. I trim our cat's claws about once a month also. And a scratching post is good too. Be careful when trimming the claws that you don' t trim them too close though. Cats claws are pretty easy to see the quick so it's not too hard. Good luck.

I never heard of Soft Paws but they sound like a good alternative too.

[MoonGoddess665]

Thanks for the info so far, I do keep their nails regularly trimmed and I also have a scratching post made of sisal rope that my bf built. The thing I worry about is the cost of the Soft Paws. Please let me know if anyone finds it cheap somewhere.

[brandy pup]

EDUCATE DO NOT AMPUTATE
http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/



ABOUT CAT CLAWS
http://www.caws.org/catclaws.html

WHY CATS NEED CLAWS
http://www.wholecat.com/articles/claws.htm

BUILD A CAT TREE
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html#build-it