When you enter a cat owner’s home, you may know that they have a cat before you even see it. A tell-tale sin is scratched-up furniture. Some pet parents just accept that this is part of having a feline roommate. But we also get it if the behavior (and seeing your expensive furniture ruined) is driving you up the walls.
Read on to understand more about cat scratching and how you can try to lessen the damage around your home.
Why do cats scratch?
The first important thing to understand is that cats aren’t scratching up your furniture to be mean or naughty. It’s truly not personal and they don’t understand that it’s wrong. They do it instinctually for several reasons:
- To express emotions like excitement or anxiety
- To remove the dead part of their nails
- It helps them stretch
- It allows them to mark their territory
So, the question is not, “How do I get my cat to stop scratching” but rather, “How can I get my cats to scratch in other places?”
Provide alternatives
When cats have lots of safe options for scratching, they’ll be less likely to choose your pricey new couch. Cats love to scratch on sturdy, tall objects made of material that allows them to really dig in and get some resistance. But, of course, each one has their preferences. Pay attention to your cat’s chosen scratching places and try to purchase or create a scratching set-up that most mimics the experience in terms of vertical vs. horizontal, material, and placement.
When you first get a new scratching post or piece of furniture, be patient. To get them going, try rubbing cat nip onto it and then using a toy to get them to play near it. If after a while, they don’t ever use it, consider trying a different sort of post they might like more.
Clip their nails
Cats naturally have quite long, sharp claws. However, you can safely trim them without pain or problems. This may not entirely eliminate the problem, but it could lessen the damage done. Either have a vet do it or check out our blog to learn how to safely trim your cat’s nails.
Make it less fun
There are a few safe ways you can temporarily make their chosen surfaces less desirable to deter problematic scratching:
- Cover the surface with double-sided tape, a sensation your cat won’t enjoy.
- Cover the surface with a smooth, tight sheet
- Cover the surface with anything that makes it sticky, smooth, or slick
- Try spraying the area with a feline-repellant spray. There are plenty you can buy online or at pet stores that are safe for cats. Just be sure to spray the surface, never your cat.
Encourage them
We never recommend disciplining cats as it can actually worsen the behaviors you want to discourage. Instead, prioritize rewarding good behaviors. At the start, try giving your cat a treat each time it chooses to scratch on the post rather than your furniture. And if you catch them going back to your stuff, you can clap your hands, say, “No,” and then move them to the scratching post.
Here’s the reality – if you absolutely cannot tolerate any damage to your furniture, cats may not be the right pet for you. That said, there are ways to improve your cat’s scratching behavior. Before we sign off, one last thing: Never, ever, under any circumstances declaw your cat. It’s inhumane.
Above all, try to be patient, persistent, and loving as you encourage your feline friends to live harmoniously in your home.
