Nail coverings are also a great way to keep your cat from damaging your home. They are commercially available soft rubber nail covers that are applied over the nail with glue. They can be applied by your veterinarian or you can learn how to apply them yourself. Soft Paws are inexpensive and can provide a short-term solution while attempting behavioral modification or long-term management for destructive behavior. Nail caps need to be removed and reapplied every 4-8 weeks, depending on how fast your cat’s nails grow. They effectively prevent your cat from using his claws, so cats with nail caps should remain indoors.

Overall, training your cat may be the best solution. You should teach your cat to scratch only certain objects, such as scratching posts. It is important to start training kittens early to learn appropriate scratching behavior and to tolerate regular nail trims.

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