SKU: TKCS-SCFAQ

What are Soft Claws?
NOTE:
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Soft Claws are an excellent alternative to de-clawing. They are easy to apply at home and cats and their owners love them. They are completely safe and humane and can be used on cats of all ages.Soft Claws are vinyl nail caps that are glued on to your cat's existing nails. They look like a cat's nail, only hollow. They are easy to apply and cats and dogs tolerate them extremely well.

Hold your pet, or have a friend or family member gently assist you so the pet feels comfortable. Some customers have their groomer put them on while their pet's having them aplied. Your Veterinarian can also be asked to place on your pet.

After application give your pet a treat such as Food or the Free Zanies Cat toy included with each purchase (cat soft claws only) for kitty to promote activity and pleasure!

How are Soft Claws applied?
Soft Claws are easy to apply.

First Trim Cats nails to just before the quick. (Do not to cut the vein in the nail as this will cause bleeding)
Note: Do not trim Kitten Nails.

Simply add a small drop of Soft Claw Adhesive (included with each kit) into one of the nail caps.
DO NOT OVERFILL!

Extend nails by gently pressing thumb on top with index finger on bottom of paw and gently slide nail cover over your cat's nail/claw.
Note: Original Soft Claws Adhesive is recommended for your pets safety and glue dries very fast. Made especially for Pet nails.
NEVER USE GENERIC NAIL GLUE

Observe cat for five minutes before release.

How long do they last and how often do they need to be reapplied?
Once the nail caps are applied they remain in place for approximately 4-6 weeks. They will fall off with the natural growth of your cat's nails. We recommend that you check your cat's nails periodically because usually just one or two fall off at a time and these can be easily reapplied.

Each kit contains 40 nail caps, adhesive and applicator tips and last approximately 4-6 months per cat.

Note: While the vast majority of cats acclimate to the claw covers within minutes, some cats may require an adjustment period. Cat's fastidious natures sometimes causes them to groom the claw covers excessively at first. This may result in one or two falling off. No problem. Just check the claws daily at first and if one is missing, simply replace it with another from the package. Thus, the first package purchased may not last as long as subsequent packages. Again, most cats do not even notice they are wearing them after the first 30 minutes.

"A good tip is to feed your cat his or her favorite food after applying the Soft Claws. This serves as a good reward, special treat and also diverts their attention away from their new acquisition. Some people find it easier to apply the Soft Claws when their cats are sleepy."

What is contained in a kit?
Easy to follow application instructions, 40 nail caps, 2 tubes of glue and applicator tips.

Are Soft Claws safe and do they hurt the cat?
Soft Claws are completely safe, painless and non-toxic. Even if they are swallowed, no problem will result. They just pass on through the digestive system.
The Soft Claw Nail Caps glue is harmless as well and made especially for Soft Claws products. Cold pressed glue is used and is non toxic.

Can cats still extend and retract their claws with the Soft Claws?
Absolutely! Soft Claws are designed not to interfere with the normal extension and retraction of claws.

Will Soft Claws interfere with my cat's normal scratching and stretching behavior?
No. Your cat can still stretch and make scratching motions but no damage will occur to your furniture because the claw is effectively covered and protected.

Can I use these on my Ferret, Rabbit and Guinea Pig?
Yes You Can!
Use these Guidelines for sizing:

Ferrets: Use kitten size.
Rabbits: Use Soft Paws for dogs, size small.
Iguanas: One foot and less (without tail) will probably wear kitten. Over a foot will probably use Soft Paws for dogs, size small. These caps may need to be trimmed at the base so they are shorter to provide a better fit. The best accepted color for iguanas is black.
Soft Claws for Kittens are the Perfect size for your Pet Guinea Pigs.
note: When applying Soft claws kitten size to Guinea pig nails, the Soft claw nail caps can easily be trimmed to size for a snug fit.

Can I apply Soft Claws myself?
Absolutely. Most people apply the nail caps themselves. Some enlist the help of a friend or family member. This is a good idea at first if you are not used to handling your cat alone. If you can trim your cat's claws, you can apply the nail caps. Some people may ask their Veterinarian or Groomer to apply on subsequent visits.

How do I know what size my cat needs?
See size chart below:

Soft Claws for Cats come in the following sizes:
Kitten (2-5 lb), Small (6-8 lb), Medium (9-12 lb) and Large (14+ lbs).
Most average size cats wear medium. If your cat is very small boned, choose the small size. Very large boned cats tend towards large. Kittens usually are big enough to wear Soft Claws by 12-16 weeks of age. Note:
If your cat is overweight, this does not necessarily mean it is a large cat.

To determine claw size, examine your cat's paws.

Guidelines for Cat Soft Claws Nail Caps:

Kitten
Soft Claws will fit most kittens by the time they reach the age of 12-16 weeks 1-5 pound weight or (4 months). Some kittens can wear them as early as age 12 weeks (3 months).
To test, try a nail cap on first without the adhesive. If it looks too big, don’t glue it on. The nail cap should fit snugly, like a glove. Kittens up to about 5 pounds generally fit the kitten size. Kittens up to about 5 months generally fit the kitten size.

Small
Approximately 6 months of age. Approximately 6-8 pounds. Some kittens at 5 months may need the small size if they are growing fast or are large-breed cats. Small-boned adult cats often wear the small size. If your cat seems smaller than an average full-grown cat, choose small.

Medium
Approximately 9-13 pounds. Most adult average size cats wear medium.

Large
Approximately 14 pounds and up. Very large-boned and large-breed cats wear large. Maine Coons, for example, are very large cats and generally wear large.

General Guidelines for Dog Soft Claws Nail Caps

When you receive the nail caps, try one of first without the glue. If it doesn't fit send the complete package back for an exchange. Note: almost all our exchanges are for a larger size so again, if you are in between sizes, choose the larger size.

X-Small - Weight: 1-5 lbs. Examples: Maltese, Yorkie, Chihuahua.

Small - Weight: 5-10 lbs. Examples: Poodle, Rat Terrier, Shih-Tzu.

Medium - Weight: 10-15 lbs. Examples: Boston Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Lhasa Apso.

Large - Weight: 15-20 lbs. Examples: Westie, Corgi, Schnauzer.

X-Large - Weight: 20-40 lbs. Example: Scottie.

XX-Large - Weight: 40-70 lbs. Examples: Labrador, Shepherd.

Jumbo - Weight: 70 pounds and up. Example: Great Dane, Bullmastiff, Bassett

1. Trim the nail tip.
2. Fill nail caps 1/3 full with adhesive.
3. Slide nail caps onto nail.
4. Observe dog for five minutes before release

What if I select the wrong size?
No problem. When you receive your package, first take one of the nail caps out and try it on your pet's claws without the glue. It should fit like a glove. (Don't forget to trim cat and dog nails prior to trying- Do Not trim Kitten Nails) If it is the wrong size you may send it back and we will exchange it for another size. Do not open the glue and make sure all components are present for return. Be sure to send it in a padded mailer so it remains in new condition. Used items are not returnable and all items must be in original packaging and re-sellable condition. Contents complete, Intact and correct amount of each product returned. Reship fee applies.

Please contact us for exchange instructions.
contactus@thecatandkittenstore.com Customer is responsible for shipping and reshipping fees costs, delivery confirmation and insuring product when returning item/s for exchange. See Store Policies for more detail.

How Do I Remove Soft Claws?
The soft claws paws nail caps fall off with the natural growth of you cat's claws. As the nail grows, the outer layer of the claw sheds. You may have seen this in some of the soft claws paws nail caps that have already come off. Normally the nail caps fall off in about 4-6 weeks. Some may stay on longer and this is usually not a problem. The only problem that can occur is if the nail grows too long. Cat's claws grow in a curved manner. If they are not worn down and grow too long, the nail will start to curve under the paw pad and may start to grow into the bottom of the pad. This usually occurs if the soft claws paws nail caps have been on for more than 10-12 weeks

To Prevent this from happening, check your cat's claws periodically to be sure they are not getting so long as to curve under the pad. If they are getting too long, just trim the tip of the nail cap. This will loosen the seal of the soft claws paws nail caps so you can remove it. If it does not easily come off, do not worry, leave it for a few days and it will generally come off on its own. You may want to gently try to remove the nail cap periodically.
By trimming the tip, you will prevent the potential problem of the nail growing into the bottom of the pad.

One note: You may find the outer layer of your cat's nail in the soft claw nail cap that is removed. This is normal because it is being shed with the nail cap.

Once the nail tip is trimmed, you should be able to pull off the remainder of the cap. If not, the soft claw nail caps will fall off in a couple of days after the tips are trimmed

If you are unable to trim the tip on your own because the tip has grown so far into the pad, you will need to contact your veterinarian.

If the Soft Claws Paws nail caps do not come off, another way to remove them is to trim away small amounts of the top part of the nail cap so that basically you "butterfly" the nail cap open. Trimming away the top ridge will allow you to peel open the soft claws nail cap and remove it from the nail. If you have not already done so, trim the tip of the soft claws nail cap first then start trimming the top ridge.

The best type of clippers to use are the clippers specifically made for cats. They look like regular small scissors except the tips are crescent shaped instead of straight.

Trim only small amounts of the soft claws paws nail caps away so you are basically "whittling" the nail cap away. Do not trim into the nail.

Can cats get infections from these like humans can get from acrylic nails?
No. Cat's claws are completely different from human nails. Cats shed the outer sheaths of their claws periodically. You have probably seen this around their scratching post (or couch). The same happens when they are wearing Soft Claws. The nail cap comes off with the normal shedding of the outer nail sheath. This prevents the possibility of infection.

Can Soft Claws be used on back claws?
Yes. Although most people apply Soft Claws only to the front paws, they can also be used on the back if desired. Applying Soft Claws to the hind claws will help prevent damage from cats jumping on and off furniture. Also, many people have used Soft Claws on the hind claws of cats who have skin problems and scratch excessively. The nail caps help prevent self-inflicted damage from scratching.

Should Soft Claws only be used on indoor cats?
Yes. Soft Claws should only be used on indoor cats because they will blunt the cat's defenses. Cats who go outdoors should not wear Soft Claws.

Most important, do these really work?
YES!

Sale Ends 8/31/08

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