Welcome to our “Detraining Your Pet” series, where we help you “detrain” your pet from those naughty or boring bad habits and get them back to being the best boys and girls.
If you came home with scratch marks on a table leg or a ragged sofa, this job is for you. First of all, it’s important to know that your cat is (probably) not vindictive – he’s not scratching your couch because you were thirty minutes late with his dinner last night. Scratching is a natural instinct for cats, and they don’t realize that your expensive couch isn’t a parent-approved place to indulge those instincts.
Why do cats want to scratch?
Cats scratch and claw at objects for many reasons, including to help get the best body stretch or to give themselves a pet-icure. Scraping helps remove the outer sheath of their nails and can also help remove the layer of dead material that builds up under their claws over time. Cats also use scratching to leave visual and olfactory messages (from the scent glands in their paws) to other cats about whose territory (or couch) belongs.
Sell them the deluxe version
So how do you get your cat to scratch anything other than your furniture? Give them a better option and make the original notebook (aka your furniture) a less appealing choice. Place the new scratching post next to their favorite scratching area or next to where they sleep so it’s handy for stretching out after a nap. Putting some of their favorite toys on or near the new pole can also encourage them to use it.
The hard part is that “capricious”, “fussy” and “particular” are words often used to describe a cat’s opinion on most things. So while the store clerk may have told you that tall, vertical scratching posts are most popular among felines, your cat may actually prefer a horizontal surface. The shape and texture of the scratching post may also not be to their liking, although cats generally like rough surfaces, such as corrugated cardboard, carpeted surfaces, sisal rope or wood. Ultimately, you may need to give your cat a few options and see which (or four) they prefer.
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When your cat uses the new scratching post, it is important to reward him to instill in him the idea that This that’s where they’re supposed to scratch. Use whatever reward works best for your cat to show her that scratching here means accessing the “good stuff.”
However, some cats may turn their nose up at their new furniture and refuse to use it. If this is the case in your home, you can enhance the appeal of their new scratching post by spraying liquid catnip or feline pheromones. This can attract them to the job and encourage that first step of trying.
Reminder of the original model
Not all cats are going to love their new scratching post right away, but while you wait, there are some things you can do to help protect your furniture from those sharp cat claws.
If the furniture is small enough, you can temporarily move it to a room that your cat does not have access to. Another option is to put double-sided tape over your furniture and the floor around it. Sticky feet aren’t on your cat’s list of favorite things, so this should help discourage unapproved scratching. Covering furniture with plastic or putting plastic or newspaper on the floor can also persuade the cat to walk past the table leg and head for its new scratching post.
Keep their claws trimmed
Keeping your cat’s claws trimmed can also help limit the damage caused by its finicky claws. Trimming your cat’s claws should be done regularly, whether or not she is scratching inappropriately. If you’re not sure how best to complete this tricky challenge, we’ve got some claw-cutting tips here.
While we’re on the subject of scratching, declawing cats due to their destructive scratching behavior is no longer considered acceptable by many veterinarians and veterinary organizations and is actually illegal in some US cities. While some vets may still perform the elective procedure as a “last resort” to prevent the cat from being abandoned or euthanized due to their behavior, many vets will not perform the procedure unless medically necessary.
Declawing consists of amputating all or part of the last bone of each finger of a cat’s paw, to prevent regrowth of the claw (claws are not like fingernails in humans). Surgery and recovery can be painful and carry health risks (for example, infection). If you are considering declawing your cat, discuss with your veterinarian what is best for your cat and their situation. You can find more information about declawing in this article.
Your house tagline doesn’t have to be “That’s why we can’t have nice things”. There are methods you can try to prevent your cat from scratching your furniture, but if it doesn’t do the trick, ask your veterinarian for help.
RELATED: Underrated Things You Can Do To Make Your Cat Happy
