Soft paws - any vets can advise me Please?

[Badcat2020]

Hello,

My cat attacked me really badly the other day. I’m cover in scratches some of which will scar. I’ve been put on antibiotics from the doctor.

He’s a lovely cat but is aggressive and spooked easily when he’s been outside fighting with other cats. I’ve now made the decision to keep him indoors and he seems much better. But I want to be able to walk past him without worrying that he’ll swipe at me so was thinking of getting soft claws. Anyone used them? Any vets have an opinion on them?

I’ve tried feliway etc - doesn’t work.

www.softpaws.co.uk/

You might want this post moved to the litter tray just report your own post and ask mnhq

How old is the cat and have they been neutered etc

They'd be a bit of a faff to get on. Do you trim his claws currently?

I have never seen them before and I admit I have not done any research but wont they stop you cat from been able to retract his claws thus making it hard and uncomfortable to walk.
the thought of using glue really puts me off what happens if he ingests some
How on earth would you glue them on without getting glue everywhere ?

Is he neutered ? if not that may well calm him down .

I dont know what the best solution is but I really dont like the idea of them .

You may want to repost this in The Litter Tray there is bound to be someone that can advise you on there

I thought they were really painful for cats to wear as if means that they can’t retract their claws. Also if you can’t walk past your car without being attacked how on earth would you get them on him?

Have you taken him to the vets recently to see why he’s attacking all the time? He must be feeling pretty unhappy/ insecure to attack every time you go near him.

*cat not car

I was just thinking what a great idea, I've never heard of those before.
Then I thought about trying to fit them to my feral cat and I know she would end me

I would worry about the cat with these on but I don’t think you have a hope in hell of managing to get these on any cat.

I think you are better off concentrating on why your cat is so aggressive. How old is he? Is he neutered? Has he always been aggressive? If it is a sudden, new behavior you should always check with the vet to see if there is an underlying physical problem.

Have a look online for cat enrichment environments. There are a lot of ideas for keeping a cat happy and entertained.

If the problem is stress related Feliway might help and Prozac has good results with cats.

Google Jackson Galaxy

He has loads of behavioural stuff online (videos).

Ps I think soft paws (if you could even get the, on and to stay on) look borderline cruel - the cat can’t fully retract their claws.

Seek a solution to the problem. Don’t mask it.

Don’t put those things on your cat. Please. If the cat’s not neutered, get him neutered and, while he’s under, have the vet trim his claws so they’re not quite as lethally sharp. It should take them long enough to grow back for you and the vet to get to the bottom of the insecurity issue that makes him lash out.

Thanks everyone 😊

He’s 10, was neutered years ago and has always been highly aggressive and attacks other cats. He’s only ever turned on me when he’s been freaked out by another cat. He’s a softy with me most of the time and a lovely cat. But I have a new baby and I can’t risk him attacking him or scratching by mistake. I do not want to rehome him so I’m looking for alternatives. Feliway does not work.

Apparently the soft paws were designed by a vet?

Oh and it’s says they can retract their claws with it and it doesn’t hurt

Apparently to glue is safe too

Soft paws inhibit claws being withdrawn. Much better to just trim the claws weekly to stop them being pointy!

Oh also he’s happy to let me trim his claws weekly anyway so I know I could get them on him

He’s only ever turned on me when he’s been freaked out by another cat

This is a known thing - transferred aggression.

Read around, watch Jackson Galaxy. Find out what you should and shouldn’t be doing to redirect the aggression.

Ps I’m keeping him in separate rooms from the baby. They will never be even in the same room at all but I’m just paranoid and I’d like the soft paws as a back up just in caseplus I don’t want to get a scratched again

LemonGingerCakes Thanks so much I’ll take a look at that x

I honestly learnt so much from him as a new cat owner,

Sounds like he is freaked out by the arrival of the baby to me - poor cat. Not really your fault since you couldn't have predicted it but I'm guessing he's seeing the baby as a threat like other cats.

I definitely wouldn't use the softpaws. I don't think they are fair to the cat for one, and secondly the fact he is behaving like this shows you that he's really stressed/anxious. It's especially not fair to mask that off rather than trying to deal with the underlying problem. He will still be stressed and anxious even if he can't scratch you. Ask your vet for advice, look at the redirected aggression stuff and if no use/if he can't learn to see the baby as not a threat, it might be kinder to rehome really, since the baby obviously isn't going anywhere. It would also be safer for your child softpaws or not.

@BertieBotts no his behaviour hasn’t changed at all I’m just more worried now I have a baby.

I am trying to address the problem to not just mask it, that’s why I’ve stopped letting him outside, he’s been so relaxed since stopping going outside as he’s had no fights. I think it’s my mothers instinct and anxiety that’s making me think I should put on the soft claws as a back up.

I’ve read they don’t cause the cats any issues so I’m not sure why people think they’re cruel?

Seriously though, who is going to a take on a 1 Year old boy cat with aggression issues. I couldn’t do that to him. I couldn’t re house him, he would be distraught without me, he’s very loving

Try this

m.youtube.com/watch?v=oqdnhtMYJ7Q