Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps for Medium Cats 40 Caps Clear Veterinarian-Developed Anti-Scratch Cat Claw Covers Review (2026)

Who these caps fit

Soft Claws places this Medium size at roughly 9 to 13 pounds of cat weight, which the brand describes as its most popular size because it covers the typical adult domestic house cat rather than a kitten or a large-boned breed. Cats below that weight are better matched to the Small or Kitten sizes, while large-breed cats such as Maine Coons are more often fitted with the Large size instead. Because sizing runs by weight rather than age, it is worth putting a cat on a scale before ordering, since a cap that does not match the nail width can either fall off early or fit too tightly.

What is in the kit

This kit ships with 40 clear caps along with the adhesive needed to bond them to trimmed nails, enough for one full set across all claws with a few spares in reserve. Soft Claws was developed with veterinary input as a non-surgical way to blunt scratching damage, and the caps are designed to let the claw extend and retract normally rather than restricting the toe. The clear color is meant to sit close to invisible against most cats' natural nail color, which some owners prefer over the brighter novelty colors Soft Claws also sells in the same size.

Applying and living with the caps

Application follows the same three-step process across all Soft Claws sizes: trim the nail down, place a small amount of adhesive inside the cap, then slide it over the nail until it seats at the base. First-time application can take a while, especially with a cat that resists paw handling, and having a second person to help hold the cat steady makes the job considerably easier. Once fitted, most cats adjust within a day or two, after which the caps do not appear to interfere with normal walking, jumping, or the cat's ability to retract its claws during rest.

How long a set lasts

Nails grow continuously, and cats naturally shed the outer sheath of each claw over time, which means capped nails will shed their caps gradually rather than all coming off on the same day. Most owners end up spot-checking paws every few weeks and reapplying individual caps as they come loose rather than redoing the whole set on a strict calendar. Because shedding is uneven across claws, a full 40 cap kit generally supports more than a single round of application, giving some cushion against a lost cap without needing to buy a fresh kit right away. Keeping a small stock of spare caps and adhesive on hand makes those touch-up sessions quicker once the routine becomes familiar.

Where it comes up short

Soft Claws require ongoing maintenance rather than a one-time fix, so owners looking for a permanent solution to scratching damage should treat this as a renewable routine rather than a single purchase. Getting the size wrong is the most common issue reported with nail caps generally, so measuring cat weight carefully before ordering the Medium size matters more than guessing based on how big the cat looks. Cats that strongly dislike paw handling may need a vet or groomer to help with application rather than doing it solo at home, and households juggling this alongside a kitten or a larger cat should double check they are buying the matching size for each cat separately.

Frequently asked questions