Scratching is an instinctive behavior for cats, so you will not be able to keep you cat from scratching. But, this doesn’t mean that you must allow the cat to shred your furniture and drapes. You can have a cat and nice furniture in the same house.
You must train your cat to scratch where you want her to scratch. This training is best done before the cat is an adult. Kittens start displaying scratching behavior around the time they are weaned.
First, make sure that you have appropriate scratching options available. Scrathing toys may have coverings such as carpet or sisal and come in different styles such as flat, slanted, or posts. Having several styles and coverings available may be helpful so your cat doesn’t get bored with one toy.
Next, cut off access to the things that your cat is inappropriately scratching. You may be able to shut the door to a room or confine your cat to part of the house when you are gone.
Put foil, double-sided tape, sandpaper, or cat repellant on the places that the cat is inappropriately scratching. If you catch your cat in the act, clap your hands or spray your cat with water.
If the problem persists, put the cat’s scratching toy in front of the place that she is scratching. Place catnip or treats on the scratching toy or even hang another toy off of it. The point is to try to entice your cat into scratching where you want her to versus where you don’t want.
Proper nail care is also important. Trim your cat’s nails every two weeks. You may also want to try plastic nail covers which glue on over the cats nails. The nail covers prevent the cat from doing damage with her scratching.
The first option that many owners think of when their cat has scratching issues is declawing. In extreme cases where everything else has been tried, and the cat is facing eviction from your home, declawing may be used as a last resort. However, declawing is painful and actually involves partial amputation of your cat’s toes.
You can prevent damage to your furniture is you work with your cat and provide scratching toys such as the following toys:
Merry Go Round Cat Toy Color: Cocoa Carpet
Hanging Plush N’ Play Scratcher Cat Toy Style: Cat
