CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
Cats: Destructive Scratching
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and
Humane Society of the
Why
Do Cats Scratch?
It’s
normal for cats to scratch objects in their environment for many reasons:
·
To remove the dead outer layer of their
claws.
·
To mark their territory by leaving both
a visual mark and a scent – they have scent glands on their paws.
·
To stretch their bodies and flex their
feet and claws.
·
To work off energy.
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.
Training
Your Cat To Scratch Acceptable Objects
1.
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:
·
Where are they located? Prominent
objects, objects close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room
are often chosen.
·
What texture do they have – are they
soft or coarse?
·
What shape do they have - are they
horizontal or vertical?
·
How tall are they? At what height does
your cat scratch?
2.
Now, considering your cat’s demonstrated preferences, substitute similar
objects for her to scratch (sisal 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.
3.
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 perfume, a muscle rub or other
unpleasant odor. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the
nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
4.
When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved
very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more suitable
to you. It’s best, however, to keep the appropriate scratching objects as close
to your cat's preferred scratching locations as possible.
5.
Don’t remove the unappealing coverings or odors from the inappropriate objects
until your cat is consistently using the appropriate objects in their permanent
locations for several weeks, or even a month. They should then be removed
gradually, not all at once.
Should
I Punish My Cat For Scratching?
NO!
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 her in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, remote
punishment is best, in which you do not directly interact with her. Ideas for
remote punishment include making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a pop
can filled with rocks or slapping the wall), throwing a pillow at her or using
a water-filled squirt bottle. If punishment is interactive, 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?
To
help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted except when 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 all four
feet every week or so. Clipping your cat’s claws will also help prevent them
from becoming snagged in carpets, fabrics and skin.
Before
trimming your cat's claws, accustom her to having her paws handled and
squeezed. You can do this by gently petting her legs and paws while giving her
a treat. This will help to make it a more pleasant experience. Gradually
increase the pressure so that petting becomes gentle squeezing, as you’ll need
to do this to extend the claw. Continue with the treats until your cat
tolerates this kind of touching and restraint. It may take a little longer if
she’s not used to having her legs or paws handled.
Apply
a small amount of pressure to her paw, with your thumb on top of her paw and
your index finger underneath, until a claw is extended. You should be able to
see the pink or “quick," which is a small blood vessel. Don’t cut into
this pink portion, as it will bleed and be painful for your cat. If you cut off
just the sharp tip of the claw, the “hook,” it will dull the claw and prevent
extensive damage to household objects and to your skin.
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 foot a day is enough of
a challenge. Don’t push to do all four at once, or you’ll both have only
negative memories of claw clippers!
Should
I Declaw My Cat?
We
strongly discourage cat owners from having their cats declawed.
Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate
items. However, if you feel that you must either declaw or give up your cat, we
would rather see your cat stay in her home and be your lifelong companion. If
you do decide to have your cat declawed, we suggest* you have the surgery done
at the same time she’s spayed (or neutered if your cat is a male), that you
only declaw the front paws and that you always keep your cat indoors.