Why you shouldn't use anti-scratch pads for cats

A new useful thread has appeared on Twitter. He talks about why you shouldn't glue anti-scratches on cats' claws, and what harm it can do to the animal.

What is it and why is it used?

1. What it is?
Special silicone caps that are put on the claws of animals (mainly cats) to protect furniture and people. They come in different sizes and colors, they look like this: pic.twitter.com/Ua3Kd18jHs

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

Anti-scratches are glued to the pet's claws with a special glue, which is used in surgery and cosmetology, after cutting off the tips of the claw: pic.twitter.com/kwULLo7vGf

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

One set lasts 2-3 weeks, and then, when the claw grows back, the caps fall off by themselves. It's all cheap and helps not to bother too much, and even looks cute, uh-huh)) manicure for cats, how elegant: pic.twitter.com/2axRdROcNP

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

What is the danger of anti-scratching for cats?

a) The adhesive on which the caps are attached can cause an allergic reaction in any animal.

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

b) Have you noticed how strange the claws look? This is because the cat cannot fully pull them in, that is, they are in a constantly extended position (see. second photo). This is atyphysiological. pic.twitter.com/4LF4RLJYYr

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

Because of the extended claws, a cat is more likely to be injured when trying to jump somewhere, slipping on a smooth surface, or jumping down.

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

c) If the claw is not properly trimmed or the cap is glued, the claw plate may deform, and the claw bed may become inflamed. These are rare cases, but they do exist.

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

d) It is impossible to sharpen claws with anti-scratches, and this is an important psychological aspect, so the cat will try to remove them in every possible way and can swallow them. pic.twitter.com/T17X9fxrpM

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

e) If dirt or infection gets under the caps, then during the time they are worn, it can progress greatly, and the treatment (especially for fungi) is long, expensive and difficult.

- How Powerful My Two Brain Cells Are (@psychopath_blue) July 28, 2020

Several cat owners unsubscribed in the comments, who had to learn about the dangers of such overlays empirically.

I pasted anti-scratches to my cat. At 4 months old he fell from the balcony of the 4th floor. The main reason, of course, is that I’m an idiot and didn’t put on anti-cats right away. But, I think, if there were no anti-scratches, there would be a chance that it would hold out. Broke a leg. No more glue. There are anti-cats.

- Marianna (@Vanillla_kiss) July 29, 2020

Thanks for the wonderful thread!
Unfortunately, I once put these things to my cat and waited for them to disappear. As a result, the nail has grown into the pad
Never again will I be so negligent about something like that

- Scientist 0.2 (@ Scientist18751) July 29, 2020

What to do instead of overlays? Cut claws and teach the animal to a scratching post. In the second case, your help may not be needed at all: if the cat is actively grinding the claws itself, nothing will need to be trimmed.