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Why Do Cats Scratch?
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It’s normal for cats to scratch objects in their environment
for many reasons:
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To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
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To mark their territory by leaving both a visual
mark and a scent – they have scent glands on their paws.
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To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.
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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
them from scratching. Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems
is to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
Training Your Cat To Scratch Acceptable Objects
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You must provide objects for scratching that are appealing,
attractive and convenient from your cat's point of view. Start by
observing the physical features of the objects your cat is scratching.
The answers to the following questions will help you understand your
cat's scratching preferences:
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Where are they located? Prominent objects, objects
close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room are
often chosen.
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What texture do they have – are they soft or coarse?
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What shape do they have - are they horizontal or vertical?
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How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
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Now, considering your cat’s demonstrated preferences,
substitute similar objects for her to scratch (rope-wrapped posts,
corrugated cardboard or even a log). Place the acceptable object(s)
near the inappropriate object(s) that she’s already using. Make sure
the objects are stable and won't fall over or move around when she
uses them.
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Cover the inappropriate objects with something your
cat will find unappealing, such as double sided sticky tape, aluminum
foil, sheets of sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy
side up. Or you may give the objects an aversive odor by attaching
cotton balls containing perfume, a muscle rub or other unpleasant
odor. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the nearby
acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
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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 cat's
preferred scratching locations as possible.
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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?
NO! Punishment is effective only if you catch your cat in the act
of scratching unacceptable objects and have provided her with acceptable
scratching objects. Punishment after the fact, won’t change the behavior,
may cause her to be afraid of you or the environment and may elicit defensive
aggression. Used by itself, punishment won’t resolve scratching problems
because it doesn’t teach your cat where to scratch instead. If you do
catch her in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, remote punishment
is best, in which you do not directly interact with her. Ideas for remote
punishment include making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a pop
can filled with rocks or slapping the wall), throwing a pillow at her
or using a water-filled squirt bottle. If punishment is interactive, 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 her paws handled and
squeezed. You can do this by gently petting her 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 she’s not used to having her legs or paws handled.Apply
a small amount of pressure to her paw, with your thumb on top of her 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, the "hook," 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
pets. 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 push to do all four at
once, or you’ll both have only negative memories of claw clippers!
Should I Declaw My Cat?
We strongly discourage cat owners from having their cats declawed.
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate
items. However, if you feel that you must either declaw or give up your
cat, we would rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong
companion. If you do decide to have your cat declawed, we suggest* you
have the surgery done at the same time she’s spayed (or neutered if your
cat is a male), that you only declaw the front paws and that you always
keep your cat indoors.
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