If you have a cat, you know they love to scratch. They
scratch when they stretch. They scratch when you’re petting that special spot
behind their ear. And, they scratch to mark their territory.
On top of all these reasons, they would need to scratch
regardless to continue sharpening their claws and keep them healthy.
All this scratching they’re doing can really put some
damage on our home.
Can Scratching be Prevented?
Scratching can’t be prevented, but it can be limited
to certain surfaces. The best tactic here is to have scratching posts through your
home.
Offering scratching
posts with different qualities can also be helpful in this circumstance.
Some cats love cardboard. Other cats love scratching wood. And, the next cat
may prefer to scratch carpet. Some cats enjoy vertical scratching posts… others
enjoy horizontal. It’s all about preference. And, sometimes your cat might want
to mix it up.
The scratching post must be sturdy. Keep that in mind.
If your cat starts scratching the post and it falls over, they’re probably not
going back to that one.
What if My Cat Doesn’t Show Interest?
If your cat doesn’t show any interest in the scratching
post (don’t worry, this is a common problem), you can encourage her by hanging
toys from the post. Or, you can search for
posts that contain catnip to spark her curiosity.
Prevent Scratching the No-No’s
If your cat has a favorite place in the house to
scratch that’s a definite no-no, your best bet would be to put plastic
over those items using double-sided sticky tape. Then, place a scratching
post next to that object.
If it comes down to potentially re-homing your cat,
you might want to consider the plastic
caps for your cat’s claws. Then, there won’t be any damage to any items he
or she scratches. The caps attach to your cat’s claws and last approximately 4-6
weeks.
What About Declawing?
There are many cat lovers who will automatically jump
to declawing their cat. But, there’s a problem here. Declawing your cat won’t
improve any type of behavioral issue—like aggression. The only difference is
your cat won’t be able to damage your furniture anymore.
But, is it worth it to put your cat through such an
extensive procedure?
The declawing
procedure doesn’t only involve removing the claws. The procedure involves
an amputation of the entire last digital bone on each of the front toes. When
recovering from this procedure, our cats are in extreme pain. There’s also risk
that comes along with the anesthesia, risk of infection, risk of excessive
bleeding, and extended pain.
The Bottom Line on Scratching
There are many alternatives to consider if your cat is
a big scratcher. Don’t immediately jump to re-homing or declawing. Give your
cat a chance to learn the behavior is not appropriate first. And, show your
kitty what is appropriate.
If you need help, don’t be afraid to call in a behaviorist.
That’s what they’re there for. Using
this link, you can find a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB)
or a board-certified veterinary behaviorist (Dip ACVB).