Preventing Cats From Scratching is Possible

When it comes to our feline friends, it's important to know how to prevent destructive behavior such as scratching or house soiling. Unfortunately, those are two of the biggest reasons we see cats returned to our shelter, even though there are simple steps you can take to help your cat be on his or her best behavior.

This week we’re discussing scratching; next time around I'll discuss how to prevent house soiling.

I have had more than one piece of furniture ruined at the paws of a cat, so I know firsthand how frustrating and downright destructive scratching is. But before you get too upset with your feline, it’s important to remember that scratching is a normal behavior for our cats. They use it to remove the dead outer layer of claws, to mark their territory, to play and to flex their feet and claws while they stretch.

Because scratching is such a normal and instinctual behavior, it’s not realistic to think we can prevent our cats from doing it. Instead, the goal should be to redirect their scratching onto acceptable objects. Here are some ideas on how to do that:

Observe the physical features of the items your cat is scratching: Where are they located? What texture do they have? Are they horizontal or vertical? Once you answer these questions it will help you understand your cat’s scratching preferences.

The next step is to provide items that are appealing from a cat’s point of view, making sure to substitute similar objects for your cat to scratch. There are many options at your local pet store, such as cat trees, scratching posts, scratch pads and even cat jungles. Or you can come up with homemade alternatives by covering a piece of wood with carpet or sisal rope or by giving your cat corrugated cardboard or even a log to scratch.

Place these objects near the inappropriate objects your cat is already using. Just make sure the post is stable so it won’t fall over or move when the cat uses it—this could scare them into never using it. Catnip is also a good option to entice your cat to the appropriate object.

Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing, such as aluminum foil or sand paper. You also could use a cotton ball with an unappealing scent. Once your cat has been consistently using the appropriate objects for several weeks it is OK to gradually take away the unappealing items.

When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, move it about one inch per day to a location that is more suitable for you. Keep the object as close to your cat’s preferred scratching location as possible.

If you come home to a couch or chair that is ripped to shreds, your first instinct might be to punish your cat. Although it might be hard, you have to resist the urge! You should punish your cat only if you catch him or her in the act of scratching, otherwise the punishment won’t be effective and can actually cause your cat to become afraid of you or the environment.

Appropriate remote punishments (meaning you don’t actually interact with the cat) include using a whistle, shaking a can full or rocks or coins, squirting them with a water bottle or slapping the wall.

Declawing: More than just a manicure

One thing is for sure: Declawing your cat is not the answer. Contrary to what many people might think, declawing is not a simple surgery. In reality, it consists of 10 separate, painful amputations up to the last joint of each toe. In humans, that would be the equivalent of removing our fingertips up to the first joint—ouch!

Declawing also leads to other issues. The scariest thing is that it takes away your cat’s natural defense, making him or her extremely vulnerable to dogs, a bigger cat or other predators. Domestic cats are digitigrade, meaning they walk on their toes. Declawed cats may walk with an altered gait, which can lead to arthritis of the hip and other joints. It also can be painful for them to dig in their litter boxes, so they might choose to relieve themselves on the softer carpet instead. 

The safest bet is to trim your cat’s nails every few weeks so they aren’t as sharp. Just be sure not to cut into the quick, the pink part of the nail where blood vessels and nerve endings lie.

The Humane Society of the United States offers detailed instructions on trimming your cat’s nails. Click here to learn more.

Hopefully this information has shed some light on why our cats act the way they do toward our furniture. Next week we’ll discuss house soiling and how to prevent it. Until then, happy pet parenting!

—Katie Woolsey is with the Escondido Humane Society.