Soft Paws® Can Help Protect People on Blood Thinners and Others from Pet Scratches

If someone in your home is on blood thinners, has fragile skin, or is immune-compromised, Soft Paws® might allow them to continue to interact with your cat.

Cats Are Good for People

Cats can help people. They can be calming and might help people keep their blood pressure lower. Scientists are learning that cats' purrs might help people heal faster. A recent study indicated that women with dementia interact and communicate better when they are petting and playing with a cat than when they have a toy (Kari Greer, 2008).

Cats can help children too. When kids with autism were studied, those who received a cat after they turned five showed more behaviors that are considered to be prosocial, like making eye contact and sharing, than those who didn't have a cat (Marine Grandgeorge, 2012).

So, having a cat can be a good thing for many people, but when someone in the home is on blood thinners or has a condition that compromises their immune system, a cat scratch can be a big problem and should be avoided.

Soft Paw® Can Help Protect People from Cat Scratches

Keeping Soft Paws® vinyl claw caps on your cat can help protect anyone in your home who is at increased risk of health problems if they receive a cat scratch. The caps cover the sharp claws and don't puncture skin when your cat jumps up onto a lap or bats at a hand during a play session.

Soft Paws® don't adversely affect cats in any way. They can still retract and extend their claws normally, climb, and the caps don't cause pain or discomfort when applied correctly. They simply fall off as the outer part of the claw naturally sheds.

If you're looking for a way to allow someone you love to experience the benefits and enjoyment of interacting with your cat, applying Soft Paws® to the kitty might be the answer you're looking for.

When you first begin to apply Soft Paws®, it can take some getting used to on your cat's part. She might chew at them a little, and they may fall off more quickly than usual for the first application or so. You will need to check them often and replace any that have fallen off, so you don't leave any sharp claws exposed.

Many times, cats that wear Soft Paws® only need to have them applied to their front claws because the reason they wear them is to protect from damage to household items. However, in the case of people with medical issues, it's best to use them on all four paws because a cat using her hind legs to jump down from a lap can scratch with her back claws accidentally.

Works Cited

1. Kari Greer, K. P. (2008, Sept. 23). A Comparison of the Effects of Toys versus Live Animals on the Communication of Patients with Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type. Retrieved from Taylor and Francis Online: DOI: 10.1300/J018v24n03_13.
2. Marine Grandgeorge, S. T. (2012, Aug. 1). Does Pet Arrival Trigger Prosocial Behaviors in Individuals with Autism? Retrieved from Plos One: DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041739.