Now that you know of this natural scratching need in your furry friend, you need to channel this into a form that is acceptable to both you and your cat. Cats have scent glands in their feet that secrete their own unique odor.Ĭats do not scratch furniture and drapes to be nasty or spiteful, but in an effort to meet these needs. Scratching is also an emotional behavior. Second, the cat’s claws regularly become frayed and scratching pulls off the outer part and exposes sharp, smooth claws. First, clawing stretches and tones the muscles of the feet, legs, shoulder and back. When a cat scratches, it is meeting two very important physical needs. Like their wild ancestors, domestic cats use their claws for a variety of reasons. Scratching is a normal behavior for cats. Let’s face it, cats do scratch! In this article, we examine the topic of scratching, and the issue of declawing surgery. No matter how frustrating the furniture scratching may be, it never justifies putting your animal through a painful-and in some places, illegal-procedure.Clipping Cat Nails and Training Cats to Use a Scratcher Helping Your Cats Claw Their Way to SuccessĪ major concern for both those who already own a cat as well as those who are considering adopting one is the issue of clawing. It may go without saying, but never declaw your cat. “Some cats will try to eat the tape and some won’t care that it’s there.” “You have to be careful,” Koski cautions. The tape’s texture may dissuade some cats from clawing, but it isn’t a permanent solution, and it won’t work for every pet. If a scratching post still isn’t cutting it, you could try clicker training, or turn to a temporary solution such as covering the edges of your furniture with double-sided tape. Once they voluntarily put their paws on it, there’s a good chance the texture will encourage them to start scratching it on their own. Koski suggests holding a treat or dangly toy above the post to encourage your cat to touch it. “They do things on their own time.” Coercing them into using a scratching post is likely to create a negative association with the object. Cats usually claw things in highly trafficked areas, so tucking your scratching post into an unused corner of a rarely visited room won’t be very appealing to them.ĭon’t force your pet to use the scratching post if they’re ignoring it. Where you actually put the scratching post is important, too. I tell people to get a big post on a non-skid surface.” She recommends the SmartCat Ultimate 32-in Sisal Cat Scratching Post, as it’s made of an appealing sisal material, and is tall and sturdy enough for cats to actually enjoy and feel secure using. “Small, cheap scratchers are for people, not cats,” Koski says. The size of your scratcher matters as well. A scratcher’s material is important, too, so try to notice if your pet shows a preference for anything like wood, carpet, or sisal. It’s smart to invest in a quality scratching post. If, for example, your cat tends to target the leg of a sofa, they probably like to scratch vertically if they often opt for the rug, then look for something flat. When you’re trying to convince your kitty to scratch something other than your furniture, Koski suggests paying close attention to what they prefer to claw. You may not be able to stop your cat from scratching, but you can try to prevent them from shredding your couch to bits or gouging the door frames so badly you have to forfeit your apartment’s security deposit. Step one: Invest in a good scratching post.
#Cat claw marks how to#
How to Stop a Cat From Scratching Furniture If your pet’s in a really playful mood or is super excited to see you after you’ve been away all day, don’t be surprised if they interrupt their zoomies to claw at something. It’s a great way to stretch, and it also lets them work out excess energy after an exciting or tense interaction. There are other reasons cats scratch, too. It’s why you’ll often notice your kitty clawing at items in highly trafficked areas of your home like the family room or a doorway. It’s a way for cats to mark their territory: Not only do the scratches show visual evidence of their presence, but they also leave behind the animal’s scent. Scratching does more than just keep their claws in tip-top shape. “They need to keep that weaponry finely tuned.” Marci Koski, a feline behavioral consultant and founder of Feline Behavior Solutions, tells Mental Floss. Their claws are a main form of defense, and they let them catch prey,” Dr. You can’t stop a cat from scratching-nor should you.
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