Cats Will Scratch

As a cat owner, you’re fully aware that your cat seems to scratch everything in sight. This is normal behaviour because what she’s doing is sharpening her claws and getting rid of the outer layer of the old claw. This behavior is so embedded into her instincts that even a cat that’s been declawed will continue to go though the motion of clawing and scratching.

Another reason they scratch is simply for exercise which is usually the case when you find your couch or other items scratched or clawed. Her paw pad has scent glands and her scent will rub off as she claws or scratches on something. If you have more than one cat, then you’ll notice that once a cat claw scratches a certain spot, other cats will come to smell the scent left and they tend to scratch the same item in order to have their scent on the item as well.

In order to prevent having your furniture and drapes etc. from being totally scratched to death, you’ll need to redirect your cat’s scratching energy into using a proper scratching post or tree. Make sure you purchase a scratching post or tree that is sturdy enough for the cat so that it won’t be easily tipped over. It should also be high enough for her to reach and be able to scratch and claw. A rope can also offer a stable item for the cat to scratch and claw on.

Rubbing orange or lemon peel on the fabric or surface of an item should help discourage scratching or you can use a commercial cat repellent to get rid of the scent on your furniture. Cats don’t like plastic, so covering your furniture with plastic until she learns to use the post or tree is something you may have to do.

Another technique that will help discourage scratching in the wrong place is to communicate with your cat with gentle words such as no kitty you’re not to scratch that, this is not the place. Then take her to the scratching area and show her that this is the right place to scratch. This should help redirect her energy. You should rub her paws on the post, which will leave her scent there so she knows this is where she should scratch.

Scratching is, of course, as natural to a cat as breathing. As you use gentle guides, redirection, telling the cat not to scratch on the item etc., she’ll soon enough understand and leave the furniture and couch alone.

Trimming and nail grooming your cat is also important to help with training. This is especially true for older cats and inactive cats that tend to sleep most the time. Since these cats are usually in a curled up position with the paws tucked under them, this can cause their nails to curl.

If you’re uncomfortable trimming the nails on your cat, it’s advisable to take them to a groomer who’s been trained to trim and cut nails on cats. This not only takes care of your cats nails, but it also gives your cat an opportunity to get out of the house for some socializing.

Careful use of treats is one way to help train your cat to use the proper scratching area. Giving a treat for good behavior will encourage her to continue her good behavior. On the other hand, treats should not be used when your cat just wants something, such as attention. Excessive meowing is another time you don’t want to give her a treat. Rewarding her with a treat is a way of saying she’s doing a great job, so a reward for bad behaviors will only encourage her to continue this behavior.

Once the behavior is under control, you should decrease the times that she gets a treat for that behavior until she’s doing it without a treat. This will enable you to use treats for training if other unwanted behaviors crop up. When your cat knows she’ll get a treat for good behaviour, the next time you need to train her will be a lot less stressful.

Training your cat not to scratch everything in sight is certainly a challenge, but it can also be a great experience for you and your cat. Even though cats have a reputation for being independent, you’ll soon discover they can be properly trained when you use love and communication and care.

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Glenn Cutforth is a writer, eBook publisher and graphic designer.

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