Most educated cat owners these days won’t even think of de-clawing their feline friends, but some people struggle with cats who scratch furniture, floors, people, and even themselves if they have allergies or a skin condition. For these cat owners, finding the right nail caps can be nothing short of a miracle.

There are a lot of options out there, but some don’t stay on your cat’s claws, some interfere with your cat retracting their claws, and some use regular nail glue which isn’t safe or comfortable for cats. If you’re looking for non-toxic nail caps that will suit both you and your cat’s needs, take a look at these reviews of some of our favorite options available to help narrow your search.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023

	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Purrdy Paws Soft Cat Nail Caps	Soft and flexible material Comfortable Non-toxic	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps	Very affordable Comfortable Caps stay on for weeks	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Kitty Caps Cat Nail Caps	Made of non-toxic materials Flexible Variety of colors	CHECK PRICE
		VICTHY Cat Nail Caps	Won’t be penetrated by nails Made of non-toxic materials Variety of colors	CHECK PRICE
		Zetpo Cat Claw Caps	Strong glue is included Comes in a variety of colors Pack of 100 caps	CHECK PRICE

The 5 Best Nail Caps for Cats

1. Purrdy Paws Soft Cat Nail Caps – Best Overall

These nail caps are soft and flexible, so they’re likely to be more comfortable for your cat and won’t prevent claw retraction. While comfort is of course important, this also means that your cat is less likely to try to pull them off. Once dried, these caps will stay on very well and will likely last several weeks. The caps themselves are non-toxic, and the cyanoacrylate-based glue is also non-toxic, so you don’t need to worry about these being harmful to your cat. The glue dries quickly in about ten minutes for a quick and painless application.

These claw caps come in many different colors, so whether you’re looking for a color that will blend in with your cat’s paws, or you want to add a little glitter and sass to your feline friend, there’s an option here for you. The glue can get a bit messy and be difficult to get out of the tube given its viscosity, but the fact that these caps actually stay on more than make up for that! They come in a large quantity that will likely last you around six months.

2. Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps – Best Value

These caps are made of vinyl, so they’re comfortable for your cat and will still allow them to retract their claws. They’re smaller than many others we’ve used, which means your cat won’t be bothered by them and will be less likely to try to bite them off or remove them. The material and the glue are both non-toxic, so you won’t harm your cat by using them. The caps stayed on securely, but the adhesive didn’t last as long as the glue that came with our top pick. The glue is also extremely thick and very difficult to apply, but it does dry quickly, so the application process won’t give you too many issues.

The shorter lifespan and the difficulty we had with applying these kept this out of our number one spot. However, given the very affordable price tag, we believe these are the best nail caps for cats for the money. They come in a pack of forty, so as long as you get the right size, these should last you several months. These can also give your cat some style with multiple color options.

3. Kitty Caps Cat Nail Caps – Premium Choice

This is another set of vinyl nail caps that are flexible and will be comfortable for your cat once they get used to them. The materials in the caps and the glue are non-toxic and safe for your cat, so you won’t need to worry about harming your cat, even if they do opt to chew on them. The glue is somewhat difficult to apply and dries fairly slowly, which means you’re likely to need help while putting them on your kitty.

These come in a variety of colors, but they only come in a mixed pack, so you can’t choose which colors you want. Although the glue is stronger than in many other options, you will find that it’s not as durable and long-lasting as the adhesive in our number one and two spots. The lack of choice when it comes to color and the shorter lifespan make this our third choice, but these are still excellent nail caps that will help protect your family and home from your cat’s nails.

4. VICTHY Cat Nail Caps

These nail caps are made of hard vinyl resin. Your cat’s nails won’t penetrate them, so they offer a great amount of protection. Unfortunately, a more rigid cap like this means they are less comfortable than a flexible material, so you may find your cat trying to bite these off more quickly than they would flexible vinyl caps. Most caps will come off if your cat is determined enough, and these might make them determined! The glue takes a very long time to dry, so applying these will be difficult and will likely require some help.

These caps come in a variety of colors, but color can’t be chosen. We also found that some of the colors provided didn’t include enough for all four of our cat’s paws. The caps and glue are non-toxic and safe for your cat, but the glue felt very hot when it came in contact with our skin, so we’d be concerned that it would cause discomfort for our cat as well. You’ll also find that the adhesive isn’t as good as it is in our higher-rated caps, so you can expect these to last about two weeks if your cat doesn’t bite them off sooner.

5. Zetpo Cat Claw Caps

This is another harder nail cap that won’t flex or move easily, so your cat is likely to find them uncomfortable and bite them off. Normally, a harder cap means more protection, but we found that the caps that did stay on were penetrated by our cat’s claws, so this offers only a short amount of protection while their claws grow. The glue is strong, but it seems unsafe for cats. It came in contact with our skin and felt extremely hot. For this reason alone, we wouldn’t recommend this product for use on your kitty.

The caps come in a wide variety of colors, but there isn’t an option to choose which you want, and the colors we got didn’t include enough caps to cover all four paws. These caps come in a pack of 100 and are very cheap, but given that the glue is unsafe and the caps can be rendered useless by sharp claws, we recommend steering clear of these altogether.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Nail Cap for Cats

Finding the right nail caps for your cat can be a daunting task, and we know that firsthand! To make sure you get caps that will protect your house while still being safe for use on your cat, there are a few key elements you should be on the lookout for.

Provides Flexibility and Comfort

If you’re like us, your cat’s comfort comes before all else, so you want to make sure that the nail caps you purchase aren’t made of a hard, rigid material. Nail caps should be strong but flexible, and it’s the cap’s ability to flex that will provide the most comfort for your cat.

Most often, the best caps are made of a softer vinyl that’s a bit pliable with your fingers. Caps that are made with this softer material won’t stand out as much to your cat as a harder plastic or vinyl resin will. This means your cat will be more comfortable, and they’ll also be less likely to try to bite them off of their claws once they get used to the feeling of nail caps.

Doesn’t Prevent Retraction

Most companies producing nail caps make products that won’t interfere with your cat’s natural claw retraction, but this is still something you want to look out for. Nail caps that allow for normal claw movement are typically non-tapered sleeves made of a thin material that won’t get caught on the skin around your cat’s claws.

This is another quality that will add to your cat’s comfort. The thinner the material, the less likely your cat is to notice the caps. If your cat has normal nail function with the caps on, you may find them biting at them at first but quickly accepting and even forgetting about them.

Includes Strong Glue

Most nail caps are applied using glue to adhere the caps to your cat’s extended claws, so the strength of the glue included with your nail cap kit will be the only thing to keep them in place. You want to make sure the glue is rated to last for around four to six weeks — this is the average length of time it will take for your cat to shed their nails naturally.

While longer periods of time won’t be an issue, any shorter amount of time is likely to cause some serious frustration for you. If the glue doesn’t last long enough, you’ll find yourself going through the task of re-applying very often, and you may still find your cat doing damage to your furniture or floors if the caps fall off unexpectedly.

Made of Non-Toxic Material

It’s possible that your kitty won’t like the feeling of nail caps on their claws. Normally, this is only the case the first few times they’re applied, but it could happen even if they’ve grown accustomed to wearing them. Your cat will resort to biting the nail caps to get them off if they’re uncomfortable, so you need to make sure the caps are made of a material that isn’t dangerous if bitten or swallowed. Most high-quality caps are made of a vinyl that is safe for your kitty and will pass easily even if your cat swallows them.

You also need to make sure the glue is non-toxic. Your cat may lick their paws and any glue that may have leaked out of the cap during application, so glue that is safe to consume in small amounts is essential.

Uses Fast-Drying Glue

If your cat is naturally calm or if they’re used to getting nail caps put on, the application process will be simple for you. If you’re not so lucky to have a cat that doesn’t mind you fussing with their paws, fast-drying glue will be your best friend. The best glue for nail caps will dry completely in about ten minutes, and glue that takes much longer than that won’t be practical for application and monthly re-application.

Uses Cat-Safe Glue

Glue needs to be non-toxic, but it also shouldn’t cause discomfort during application. Many lower-quality nail caps include standard nail glue — often the same kind that is used for applying acrylic nails on humans. This type of glue should not come in contact with your skin or your cat’s skin, and it can burn and cause serious burning sensations if it does. During application, especially with a restless cat, it’s very easy to get glue on your cat’s fur or the skin around their claws. Make sure you have glue that is safe for use on your cat and doesn’t feel hot when it comes in contact with skin.

Comes in Different Colors

Sure, you’re buying nail caps to protect yourself, your cat, and your furniture and floors, but who said they can’t also be a bit stylish? Having a color option means you can provide protection and give your kitty a little flair and personality.

Final Verdict

Nail caps for cats are tiny, but they can make a huge difference in your life. If you choose the right caps, you’ll have a safe and happy cat that can no longer scratches you, your family members, your furniture, or your floors.

For comfortable and cat-safe nail caps that stay on for weeks, we recommend the Purrdy Paws Soft Cat Nail Caps. If you’re looking for budget-friendly nail caps that are easy to apply and will endure a lot of time on your cat’s claws, the Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps are an excellent choice that will get the job done for less. No matter which nail caps you choose, make sure you find ones that are safe, durable, and won’t take hours to apply. These reviews should help you find the perfect set of nail caps that give you comfort and some peace of mind.

Featured Image Credit: Soft Claws Cat Nail Caps, Chewy