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Why Do Cats Scratch On The Furniture and how to solve it.
by Love Your Pets Too on Friday, July 29, 2011 at 11:17am
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UNDERSTANDING YOUR CAT’S DESTRUCTIVE SCRATCHING
Why Do Cats Scratch?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.
Cats scratch for many reasons, including:
Training Your Cat to Scratch Acceptable ObjectsNow, 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. 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 non-toxic perfumes, a non-toxic muscle rub, or other safe yet unpleasant substances. Be careful with odors, though, because you don’t want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
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:
AHS: Understanding Your Cat’s Destructive Scratching Rev. September 26, 2007 AHS: Understanding Your Cat’s Destructive Scratching Rev. September 26, 2007
Should I Punish My Cat for Scratching?NO! NEVER! 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 your cat in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, punish her in a way that prevents her from associating the punishment with you. Try making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a soda can filled with rocks, or slapping the wall) or using a water-filled squirt bottle. If you use other, more interactive techniques, 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?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 claw or foot a day is enough of a challenge. Don’t push to do all of them at once, or you’ll both have only negative memories of claw clippers!
To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted until 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 her front feet every two weeks or so. Clipping your cat’s claws will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets and fabrics, not to mention your skin!
Should I Declaw My Cat?Declawing is a procedure whereby a veterinarian amputates the end digit and claw of a cat’s paws—similar in scope to cutting off a person’s finger at the last joint. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing when done solely for the convenience of the owner. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items. Declawing can also lead to litterbox or aggression problems. However, if you feel that you must either declaw your cat or give her up, we would rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong companion.
For more information, please visitAdapted from material originally developed by applied animal behaviorists at the
think a cat’s scratching behavior is a reflection of her distaste for a couch’s upholstery, a not-so-subtle hint to open the drapes or a poorly conceived Zorro impersonation, the fact is that cats scratch objects in their environment for many perfectly normal reasons.
Love Your Pets Too
623-695-3079
http://www.petandhousesitting.com/
Providing quality affordable pet sitting for your dog, cat, and household pets. "Love Your Pets Too" is family owned and operated since 2004. We are qualified, professional pet sitters, bonded, insured and certified. We offer Daily Visits, Live-In, Work Breaks and Overnights in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Laveen & Litchfield Park, Arizona.
ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE
Why Do Cats Scratch?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.
Cats scratch for many reasons, including:
Training Your Cat to Scratch Acceptable ObjectsNow, 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. 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 non-toxic perfumes, a non-toxic muscle rub, or other safe yet unpleasant substances. Be careful with odors, though, because you don’t want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
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:
AHS: Understanding Your Cat’s Destructive Scratching Rev. September 26, 2007 AHS: Understanding Your Cat’s Destructive Scratching Rev. September 26, 2007
Should I Punish My Cat for Scratching?NO! NEVER! 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 your cat in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, punish her in a way that prevents her from associating the punishment with you. Try making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a soda can filled with rocks, or slapping the wall) or using a water-filled squirt bottle. If you use other, more interactive techniques, 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?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 claw or foot a day is enough of a challenge. Don’t push to do all of them at once, or you’ll both have only negative memories of claw clippers!
To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted until 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 her front feet every two weeks or so. Clipping your cat’s claws will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets and fabrics, not to mention your skin!
Should I Declaw My Cat?Declawing is a procedure whereby a veterinarian amputates the end digit and claw of a cat’s paws—similar in scope to cutting off a person’s finger at the last joint. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing when done solely for the convenience of the owner. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items. Declawing can also lead to litterbox or aggression problems. However, if you feel that you must either declaw your cat or give her up, we would rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong companion.
For more information, please visitAdapted from material originally developed by applied animal behaviorists at the
think a cat’s scratching behavior is a reflection of her distaste for a couch’s upholstery, a not-so-subtle hint to open the drapes or a poorly conceived Zorro impersonation, the fact is that cats scratch objects in their environment for many perfectly normal reasons.
Love Your Pets Too
623-695-3079
http://www.petandhousesitting.com/
Providing quality affordable pet sitting for your dog, cat, and household pets. "Love Your Pets Too" is family owned and operated since 2004. We are qualified, professional pet sitters, bonded, insured and certified. We offer Daily Visits, Live-In, Work Breaks and Overnights in Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Tolleson, Avondale, Goodyear, Scottsdale, Laveen & Litchfield Park, Arizona.
ALTHOUGH SOME PEOPLE
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