Cat Lovers Digest

One of the most annoying things about cats is their scratching. Cats have been known to destroy furniture, drapes and screens. They instinctively scratch. It is in their nature to do so. What can you as cat owner do to prevent your things from being destroyed?

The first thing to do is to understand exactly why your cat scratches in the first place. It is not just a pleasant experience for your cat but it has practical reasons as well. Cats scratch to mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent — they have scent glands on their paws.

Cats also scratch to get exercise and work off energy. They stretch to their full extent and work their upper limbs. Scratching releases endorphins that make your cat feel good.

Scratching also helps to remove the dead outer layer of their claws and to sharpen the claws, but this is only a small part of the behavior.

Since scratching is a normal cat behavior, it’s not a behavior that you want your cat to stop. Rather, you want to direct your cat to scratch on acceptable objects.

Try providing your cat with places where it is allowed to scratch. Many scratching posts are available in the stores — but which ones are right for your cat? First, make a note of the areas that your cat likes to scratch. Is it horizontal or vertical? Is the material rough or soft? At what height does your cat like to scratch? The answers to these questions will guide you to purchase a tall, carpeted scratching post or a horizontal cardboard box or something in-between. Place your new scratching posts near the areas where your cat is already scratching.

Cats are creatures of habit. They like to scratch the same thing over and over again. If your cat already has a habit of attacking your couch, you may be in for a battle; however, you can convince your cat to use the acceptable surface with patience. Cover the couch with double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets of sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up. Sometimes altering the feel will be enough to get kitty to stay away from the couch. You may also want to try spraying the couch with a citrus scent or attach cotton balls that contain perfume. Ensure that the acceptable objects don’t acquire the odor.

To encourage your cat to use the new post, place the post near the unacceptable object, and encourage your cat to use it. You can even consider spraying the post with catnip. Anytime you see the cat using the post praise her and give her a reward. If you see the cat scratching the unacceptable object, stop her immediately, and move her to the post.

If your cat is extremely persistent you may have to try more drastic measures. These methods are only going to work if you catch your pet in the act of scratching. Keep a can filled pennies or marbles near the object the cat scratches and the moment you see the cat start to scratch, rattle the can as loudly as possible. This will startle the cat and most cats will immediately stop. Of course, you might want try spraying the cat with a water pistol. This method will teach your cat to stop scratching in your presence, but she’ll continue to scratch when you’re not there.

Once your cat is using the appropriate object consistently, you can move it very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more acceptable to you. You’ll be more successful if you can keep the new objects as close to the preferred scratching location as possible. Keep the aversive coverings or odors on the old scratching surface until your cat is using the appropriate objects consistently. After several weeks or even a month, you can begin to gradually remove the aversives.

Remember you must never hit your cat. Hitting a cat only teaches it to fear you.

A product you might consider is nail caps. These are actually caps that are glued onto your pet’s nails. They are harmless, and most cats adjust to them very quickly. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and are very easy to apply. While wearing them your cat will be unable to do any damage to the furniture in your home.

Keeping your cat’s claws trimmed will also minimize the damage to your furniture and your skin. See the article on Nail Trimming in the Cat Care section.

Declawing is a very controversial topic. Many vets and pet owners are against this practice. They believe it to be inhumane and cruel. Without the ability to claw, your cat may actually develop behavior problems that he didn’t have before. If declawing will prevent an animal from ending up at the local shelter as another unwanted pet, it is an alternative to consider. Only declaw the front paws and keep your cat indoors.

As a cat owner you can teach your cat where it is allowed to scratch and what it is allowed to scratch. This is going to take time and patience, but it can be done.