Floofy cat gets claw caps - Orchid Board

Optimist · #1 09-22-2015, 03:52 PM

Sunday, I noticed my dog was favoring one eye. It was crusty and closed shut. I was thinking "oh no, I do not want to have a huge vet bill! Both eyes were a bit red, and the conjunctiva was a bit swollen, so I thought, naturally, "pink eye." I looked up conjunctivitis on the internet, and found that in dogs, it could be caused by spray perfumes and such. I had been doing some carpet cleaning, and also, I had had one of those wax melting scent gadgets on for a few days! My dog is a very "allergic" girl, so I thought, Uh oh, she must have gotten conjunctivitis because I had that wax melter on for a few days straight.

In the back of my mind was a scenario that I did not even want to think about. That Luna had scratched Giselle's eye. They play very hard. My brother's dog, Lady, also plays hard with Luna. Luna loves to play rough with dogs. (Giselle is an Italian Greyhound, and Lady is a Shepard mix).

Well, I took Giselle to the vet on Monday. At first, the vet also thought conjunctivitis. Then she decided to use a glow in the dark stain on Giselle's eyes. There, right on the pupil, was a scratch.

It was very strange, but I already had the claw caps for the cat ordered on Amazon. I had been thinking of getting them because Luna makes mad dashes and ends up climbing up my leg with her gigantic claws. This is cute behavior in a kitten, but she is a grown cat now (between 10 and 11 months old by now).

I just got them around an hour ago by UPS, and I put them on a few minutes ago. They are gold color. I got the gold because I could get 2 sets of 20 for the same price as one set of another color, and she is a tortie so gold looks really good on her. I totally love them. I pick her up and she does not hook her fingernails into me! I am sold on claw caps!

She hated the installation. She squirmed and growled, and I think it is because she is a teenage cat and into independence. (Okay, me anthropomorphising). Any way, I love them, they are so worth it! No more potential cat scratches!

Giselle's eyes are fine. The scratch is not deep and it is healing well. I give her eye drops 3 times a day. She is a bit afraid of playing with Luna now though.

We had really discussed getting her de-clawed at one time (still legal in the USA). I think it is downright cruel. These claw caps are a much more humane alternative!

wintergirl · #2 09-22-2015, 04:40 PM

I have never heard of claws caps until now. Cool, I wonder how long they last before you put on new ones.

Optimist · #3 09-22-2015, 10:03 PM

They last between 4 and 6 weeks. Since I am putting them only on front, that is 10. I bought 2 sets of 20. (40- I think they sell them in sets of 20)
So 40 is four sets, about 5 months worth for 11$

They begin to naturally fall off at about 4 weeks. You are supposed to clip the nail before putting them on.

Just look up cat claw caps, I have a kind called "Purdy Paws" there is a brand called "Soft Claws," there are probably a few more brand names all with silly names. You can get them at Petco/smart, but they are way more expensive then the ones I got on Amazon.

Oh, it took her maybe 10 minutes to get used to having something on her feet like that.

wintergirl · #4 09-22-2015, 11:16 PM

Really cool. I see they have them on Ebay too. If I had I cat I would try them for sure.

DeaC · #5 09-22-2015, 11:17 PM

Glad all is well! But best part of your story was that you didn't do the declaw atrosity...very smart of you. This was the kitty you found in bad shape,no? Best to you and the gang!

WhiteRabbit · #6 09-23-2015, 08:28 PM

You might in the future see how she is about nail trims - I've only had two cats, but both have been pretty good about it, in fact, in my experience, they have been easier for nail trims than my dogs have been.
But if the caps work for you, that's good! and definitely better than de-claw.

Optimist · #7 09-24-2015, 10:20 PM

Hi, White Rabbit, I was clipping her claws regularly. She may eventually grow out of this, but she plays hard, and I love my dogs too. I have a bulgy eyed chihuahua that I have had since 2003, and my Italian greyhound since 2005. Both of them deserve to keep their eyes, no? I would, not invite a guest into my house who had a razor-blade that they occasionally and without warning slashed out at the faces of other people in the house. Kitty fingernails are things that these dogs do not have and do not encounter on a regular basis. I do not consider m dogs to be "smart." They are the dumbest breeds available. They are lovey and very sweet, but also stupid. The cat is not very smart either. I am the only one here with a Master's Degree.

judith_arquette · #8 09-24-2015, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimist

Hi, White Rabbit, I was clipping her claws regularly. She may eventually grow out of this, but she plays hard, and I love my dogs too. I have a bulgy eyed chihuahua that I have had since 2003, and my Italian greyhound since 2005. Both of them deserve to keep their eyes, no? I would, not invite a guest into my house who had a razor-blade that they occasionally and without warning slashed out at the faces of other people in the house. Kitty fingernails are things that these dogs do not have and do not encounter on a regular basis. I do not consider m dogs to be "smart." They are the dumbest breeds available. They are lovey and very sweet, but also stupid. The cat is not very smart either. I am the only one here with a Master's Degree.

Guess I'm not getting invited over any time soon

Seriously though, I think the claw caps are a marvelous idea...better safe than sorry

I don't currently have a cat but recall from my youth that even recently clipped kitty claws sharpen back up quickly

katrina · #9 09-25-2015, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

I don't currently have a cat but recall from my youth that even recently clipped kitty claws sharpen back up quickly

Yep...just what they were "designed" to do. Cat claws are actually layered and the dull layers will shed off making new "edges" that are razor sharp. It's like they peel away to allow for a very sharp point and you can trim them back but shortly after they will be doing their scratching thing on a post or whatever and the old will shed off and viola! - new, sharp little knives.

Anyone ever notice how the front ones are ALWAYS sharper then the back? Or is it just me? I've always assumed it's because those shed quicker because in nature they'd need them sharp to catch their prey. Of course, most of my guys didn't even bother chasing the occasional mouse that found it's way into the house but their ancestors might have used those claws for the intended purposes.

Don't know if any of that's true or if its' just my imagination.

DeaC · #10 09-25-2015, 10:54 AM

Have always read that the layer of the claw that's shed is called a sheath just like with orchids! Used to have a polydactyl with crazy thick claws but my 2 now are pretty forgiving when it's pedicure time! Their claws are a lot stronger than my nails. Maybe I should incorporate their food into my own!