Feline Scratching Behavior

Recently I have answered several questions from pet owners about their cat's scratching behavior. Many people get frustrated by their cat's scratching because it ruins their furniture, carpet, or drapes. Understanding why our cats scratch and finding ways to overcome the behavior helps to decrease the frustration associated with it.

·         Cats scratch as a means of claw conditioning. A cat’s claw has a husk that surrounds the claws and must be shed on a regular basis. Scratching provides a mechanism for cats to routinely shed their husks.

·         Cats are very flexible animals. They sleep curled up, which can affect the alignment of the spine. Scratching allows your cat to stretch either vertically or horizontally and realign their spine.

·         Cats are territorial, yet social, animals. Marking is an important part of a cat’s social behavior. They scratch to mark their territory both visually and with scent. Cats have scent glands in their paws and leave olfactory clues, which tell others "I have been here."

 What Can I Do to Stop My Cat from Scratching?

Routine Nail Trimming

Regular nail trimming can reduce the destruction your cat may cause when scratching. It is a simple procedure, but must be done properly and routinely. Have your veterinarian show you how to trim your cat’s nails.

Training

Cats can be trained to scratch only on objects of your choice, so as not to destroy furniture, curtains or other household items. Examples are scratching posts, carpet remnants, cardboard, and wood. It may be necessary to try different things before finding what your cat likes. The location of such an item is critical. If your cat has selected a particular location he likes to scratch, try placing an acceptable item in that location. For example, if your cat is scratching the couch, try putting a scratching post near the couch as an alternative. If that location is not acceptable to you, gradually move the item to the desired location. This may take several weeks. Keep in mind that if a cat is scratching primarily for marking purposes, moving the item may be unsuccessful and you may have to settle for a scratching post in a less-than desirable location. Remember, this is still better than replacing furniture and curtains! Cats should be positively reinforced when they use the correct scratching implements. Punishment strategies, like spray from a water bottle, tend to be ineffective in discouraging cats from scratching.

 Nail Coverings

Destruction from scratching can be eliminated with nontoxic adhesive nail coverings. The covering provides a blunt tip that does not cause damage when a cat "scratches". The coverings must be replaced about once a month following a nail trim. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to trim nails and apply them at home.

Declawing

Declawing is an irreversible surgical procedure performed by a veterinarian while the cat is under general anesthesia. In declawing, the end of each digit is amputated along with the nail. Declawed cats require special care and may experience tenderness or even pain for several days. It’s best to declaw cats at a young age as they recover more quickly and adapt more easily to the loss of their claws. New Hartford Animal Hospital does not recommend declawing cats, but considers each case individually. Once the cat has fully recovered, the cat must remain indoors as he has lost an important means of defense. It is important to note that since a declawed cat has lost a major line of defense, they will now be more likely to bite when frightened or threatened. A bite is also a defensive response and can be far more dangerous to the recipient than a scratch.

Cats use their claws to climb, scratch, hunt and defend themselves. These are all perfectly normal feline behaviors. There may be times when your cat scratches something inappropriate, such as a couch or curtains. Your cat doesn’t understand that this behavior is undesirable. He’s simply doing what comes naturally to him.