Preventing Destructive Scratching in Cats
Why Do Cats Scratch?
It’s normal and healthy for cats to scratch objects in their environment for many reasons:
- To remove the dead outer layer of her claws
- To mark her areas byleaving both a visual mark and a scent – she has scent glands on her paws
- To stretch her body and flex her feet and claws
- To work off energy
Because scratching is a normal behavior and one that cats are highly motivated to display, it’s unrealistic to try to prevent her from scratching. Instead, the goal is to direct the scratching toward acceptable objects.
Providing Objects That Appeal To Your Cat
It’s very important to provide objects for scratching that are appealing, attractive, sturdy and convenient from your cat’s point of view. Some experts recommend using scratching materials that will not confuse your cat about what is and isn’t appropriate. For example, if you have Berber carpet, a scratching post carpeted with Berber is probably not a good choice. You may have to experiment to find your cat’s favorite surface texture and placement. There are cardboard and sisal scratching devices designed to fulfill your cat’s need to scratch on a horizontal surface. Many cats prefer a tall sisal or wood post, allowing a good stretch after napping. Placement of the scratching surface is important, too. A post near a couch or chair is often a good idea. Rub a bit of catnip on the post or scratcher from time to time to keep your cat focused on and excited about it. Always praise your cat when you catch her doing something right. She loves to hear your soft voice and will learn to repeat those behaviors to please you. You may use small food treats to reward good behavior if your cat is not watching her weight. Never scold or yell at your cat. That will only make her fear you and could cause other undesirable behaviors.
Scratching on Inappropriate Objects
If your cat is choosing to scratch objects other than those you have provided, consider your cat’s demonstrated preferences (for location, texture, shape, height). Substitute similar objects for her to scratch (woven sisal-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard, or even a log). Place the acceptable object(s) near the inappropriate object(s) that they are already scratching. Make sure the objects you provide are stable and won’t fall over or move around when they use them.
To discourage continued use of the inappropriate objects, the following suggestions may be helpful:
- Cover the scratched areas of the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing, such as double sided sticky tape (a wide version made for this purpose is called Sticky Paws and is available at pet stores), aluminum foil, or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up.
- If your cat is scratching the corners of a couch or chair, drape an attractive throw over that area or use a nice inexpensive quilt to cover the entire piece of furniture, securing it with upholstery pins. These can be removed later on, when your cat’s behavior has been successfully converted.
- Use Comfort ZoneTM spray to make the cat believe that she has already scratched and scent marked that area.
When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more suitable to you. It’s best, however, to keep the appropriate scratching objects as close to your cats preferred scratching locations as possible.
Don’t remove the unappealing coverings or odors from the inappropriate objects until your cat is consistently using the appropriate objects in their permanent locations for several weeks, or even a month. They should then be removed gradually, not all at once.
Should I Punish My Cat for Scratching?
If you do catch the cat in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, remote punishment, in which you do not directly interact with her, is best. Ideas for remote punishment include using a clapping sound, shaking a pop can filled with rocks or slapping the wall, the idea being that your cat is unaware of the source of the punishment. If she knows the punishment is coming from you, she’ll learn to refrain from scratching in your presence, but will continue to scratch when you’re not around.
How Do I Trim My Cat’s Claws?
To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted except when they’re needed. As the claws grow too long and become curved, they can’t be retracted completely. You should clip off the sharp tips of your cat’s claws on all four feet every week or so. Clipping your cat’s claws will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets, fabrics, and skin. Before trimming your cat’s claws, accustom her to having their paws handled and squeezed. You can do this bygently petting their legs and paws while giving her a treat. This will help to make it a more pleasant experience. Gradually increase the pressure so that petting becomes gentle squeezing, as you’ll need to do this to extend the claw. Continue with the treats until your cat tolerates this kind of touching and restraint. It may take a little longer if they are not used to having their legs or paws handled. If you’re lucky, you may be able to accomplish all claw trimming while your cat is sleeping.
To trim claws, apply a small amount of pressure to their paw, with your thumb on top of their paw and your index finger underneath, until a claw is extended. You should be able to see the pink or “quick”, which is a small blood vessel. Don’t cut into this pink portion, as it will bleed and be painful for your cat. If you cut off just the sharp tip of the claw, it will dull the claw and prevent extensive damage to household objects and to your skin. There are several types of claw trimmers designed especially for cats. These are better than your own nail clipper because they won’t crush the claw. Until you and your cat have become accustomed to the routine, one foot a day is enough of a challenge. Don’t try to do all four at once, or you’ll both have only negative memories of claw clippers!
Declawing is NOT an Acceptable Solution to Undesirable Scratching
Declawing is a painful procedure that has long-lasting effects on cats. Once her claws have been removed, she can no longer perform her natural stretching and kneading rituals. She becomes weaker as she ages and may experience debilitating arthritis in her back and shoulders. Furthermore, cats without claws have lost her first line of defense, and because of this, she lives in a constant state of anxiety. She may also become a biter because she can no longer use her claws as a warning. Groomers, veterinarians, and people who care for declawed cats in shelters find many of them to be nervous, irritable, and difficult to handle. Finally, a declawed cat often stops using her litter box. She often associates the pain she feels in her paws when trying to cover her waste with the litter box itself. She seeks a less painful place for elimination, such as the carpet or bathtub or even the bed or piles of laundry. Even though there are effective ways to modify a cat’s litter box behavior, it is a particularly difficult challenge because a declawed cat’s aversion results from pain. If your cat continues to scratch in inappropriate areas, please contact us for support and counseling. With patience and positive reinforcement, a cat can be trained to use her scratching surfaces exclusively.