With my 3 cats even as kittens...they did keep their claws in...so they only got trimmed when at the vet, else they used their scratching posts a lot and I think that really helped.
With Lucky, I find the best thing is....since he has no interest in scratching posts at all....is I take him for a ride every 4 weeks and get his claws trimmed. When first done....it is wonderful...he can walk on bare skin and we feel nothing. I think he was probably abandoned outside for most of his life before his current age of 2 years so he does not know inside things like scratching posts, etc.
But he jumps in his carrier box and sits down anytime that box is opened so we take a quick ride around the corner and while it does cost almost $13.00 each time...it has been worth it. I just hope someday he will learn to use the scratching posts.
I also see that online Petsmart has a nail clipper with a guard that is supposed to prevent clipping too close to a vein. The groomer at my vet says Lucky is so good, he has offered to let me come in the back and watch and teach me how to do it. I'm still too nervous to try but I will see. I thought about the Soft Claws too but they are not cheap either and they only last a short time and have to be redone so if I have to pay either way, I think I will go for the nail trim. One of the moms here did try Soft Claws..it so happens her new cat just pulled them off so she is back to trimming herself which involves being scratched.
I guess each cat is different so all we can do is try things. I did notice by having the 3 kittens..it seemed like one would do something...like start using a scratching post and the other 2 would watch...then the next thing I would see the other do follow the example. Right now for me Lucky is by himself and for some reason, he gives me the strangest look when I get on the scratching post to show him what to do.


Good luck with Iggy, Jon. He is an absolute doll. I love coming here and hearing all about him.