Cat Scratching

how to solve it, how to stop it

Cat scratching is a constant headache for many cat owners. But contrary to what many people might think, cats don’t scratch out of spite or to make a point about their dislike of your furniture. Cats scratch because it’s part of their grooming ritual.

Scratching helps cats get rid of dead tissue in their claws. They scratch to mark their territory, too. And the act of scratching helps them stretch their muscles. So scratching serves many purposes. Now, you don’t have to let your cat ruin your furniture just so that he can keep his nails in top condition.

There are several techniques you can use to divert your cat’s attention away from your furniture and help him learn to scratch other objects.

Here are some suggestions to get you started:

--Never declaw a cat. I’ve said elsewhere in this site: Declawing is an inhumane procedure, causing your cat extreme pain. Please don’t declaw your cat.

--Trim you cat’s nails on a regular basis. This action will reduce your cat’s need to scratch.

--Use Soft Paws. These caps are reportedly easy to apply and are well-tolerated by most cats. I haven’t tried them on my cats yet but many cat owners are pleased with the results.

--Train your cat to use a scratching post. Here's an article about scratching posts.

--Buy (or make) cat furniture with lots of scratching surfaces. And then train your cat to scratch this furniture instead of your own. You can use catnip and treats to entice your cat to scratch his furniture.

-- Spray your furniture with a strong, but pleasant, scent such as lemon or cinnamon. Most cats don’t like strong aromas so this measure may discourage your cat from scratching your furniture.

--Whenever you sit on your favorite sofa or any other piece of furniture, have a water gun or bottle ready by your side. If kitty attempts to jump and/or scratch your furniture, spray her with water.

--You can also try to use bells or rattles to discourage your cat from jumping onto your furniture.

-- Buy tape (to place on the furniture) especially made to stop cats from scratching.

--Have a special room or space for your cat and place a scratching post and/or carpeted cat furniture.

-- Use slip covers. Find one with a strong and sturdy material or fabric. Even though slip covers are not cat proof, at least they can be easily replaced if they get too damaged.

I hope that these suggestions help you alleviate any cat scratching furniture problem.

Related Links

Cat scratching posts

Cat proof furniture?


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