Stop Cat Scratching and Save Your Soft Furnishings.

Cat scratching seems to be only a problem for some cat owners. We have been really lucky and we have never had a cat that has felt the need to shred our soft furnishings. However it can be a very costly and distressing problem for owners of cats that feel the need to use their claws in their home. Find out why they do it and how it can be stopped.

What is cat scratching and why do they do it?

Cat scratching is also involved in marking territory. The claw marks and the scent of the cat is left on various surfaces around its territory letting other cats know who’s boss.

Cat scratching indoors, why?

• Exercise: Cats that are confined to the house will still feel the need to carry out the natural cat behavour of keeping their claws in tiptop shape. They may not need to mark their territory but they will still need to exercise those claws.
• Habit: The texture of carpet and the various appealing shapes of armrests can become firm favourites for your cat. If they discovered these items early on in their lives then it could just be habit that they continue to use them as their preferred scratching area.
• Frustration and Boredom: A cat that does not receive enough attention from their human friends will look for other things to amuse them. A loose piece of wallpaper can sometimes be just too tempting and becomes a great cat scratching play game.
• Insecurity: If changes happen in the home environment like a new baby or a new cat is introduced to the family, your pet cat may feel vulnerable and insecure. They will then try to establish a place for themselves within the new family situation. Some revert to urine spraying while other will scratch areas especially around doors to make themselves feel secure once again.

What can be done about this scratchy problem?

Scratching Post: By providing a cat scratching post you may turn your cat’s attention away from the furniture. Choose one that is attractive to look at and has lost of different textures and play things on it. If your cats normally like to scratch the carpet or a mat then it may be an idea to cover the scratching post with a similar item.

Place the scratching post in the same area where your cat was scratching in the home. Then once they are used to the scratching post, you can gradually move it to a more suitable area for you.

Play: If cat scratching is more to do with the fact that they are bored, try playing with them more, perhaps a few little games throughout the day to help keep them a happy cat. If you are out and they are left in doors, make sure they have plenty of toys scattered around to play with on their own.

Security: A cat which feels insecure is a cat who will want to spread their scent around the house by scratching everything in sight. If you think this might be the reason for your cat’s behavior then you could help them feel more secure by making your home smell more like your cat. Rub a clean soft cloth around your cats face and then rub the cloth on various areas around the house to transfer their scent.

Trimming Claws: Some cats don’t wear down their claws as quickly as others and they become over long and can no longer retract completely. This can lead to them becoming snagged on carpets and furniture. Your vet will be able to trim your cat’s claws for you and this may need to become part of your regular cat care, but if you feel that you can do it there are a couple of rules to observe.

• Use a good pair of cat nail clippers.
• Get your cat used to having their nails clipped, rub their paws often and then give them a treat.
• Gently squeeze your cat’s paw so that the claws are exposed.
• Only clip the very top of the nail, you will see the pink quick, which is a blood vessel. Never cut into this, as it will Bleed and hurt your cat.

De-clawing

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