There are many great reasons to own a cat. They use a litter box instead of needing to be walked, they generally don’t eat too much, and they’re low-maintenance pets who rarely complain. However, they do scratch. Unless you teach them early where to scratch, your sweet little ball of fluff could destroy thousands of dollars’ worth of furniture, carpet, and clothing.
An initial reaction may be to consider declawing to solve the problem. But many owners don’t realize what a **cruel choice declawing is**. Declawing a cat has been compared to removing each of their fingers at the first knuckle. You are maiming your cat if you choose to declaw. It is **NOT** the same as trimming the cat’s nails. Claws are an important part of the cat’s anatomy and are as vital to them as your fingers and toes are to you.
Once the decision to declaw is made, it cannot be reversed, and complications may arise that could make walking painful or even damage the muscles in the cat’s body. Emotional problems are also common in cats that have been declawed. A little scratching is nothing compared to dealing with an emotionally unhealthy cat.
Declawing is so inhumane that it is illegal in some countries, and in others, such as the United States, animal activists are working to outlaw it. So, the humane option is to remove declawing from your list of potential solutions to scratching.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
This probably isn’t news to you, but scratching is completely normal behavior for a cat. There are a few key reasons why cats scratch:
- Marking – Paws have scent glands, so when a cat scratches, they leave their mark on the area. Cats do this in the wild to mark their territory, and they want to claim the same ownership in the house.
- Exercise – Cats need a workout, and scratching serves as a form of exercise. It allows them to stretch and works several important muscles.
- It Feels Good – Yes, it feels good to a cat to scratch. Often, you’ll notice your cat purring loudly as they shred your sofa.
You can’t punish this behavior out of your cat. There is nothing you can do that will stop your cat from wanting to scratch. What you can do is teach your cat appropriate places to scratch.
Scratching Posts
Purchasing a scratching post that your cat likes will save you from having to replace furniture and flooring. Scratching posts come in many shapes, styles, and textures. Prices start at just a few dollars and can go up from there. Some trial and error may be involved in finding the right post for your cat.
The best scratching posts will be tall enough for your cat to fully extend their body while using it. While you can offer other options, try to include at least one post that is tall enough for this purpose.
Another important consideration is that the scratching post should be secure. Some varieties can be hung from a door, which is fine as a secondary scratching area, but remember that the door itself is likely to suffer some collateral damage. It’s important to avoid standing scratching posts that can topple easily. If your cat is scratching and the post falls, it will startle them, and it’ll be difficult to get them to use that post again.
The exact shape of the post likely doesn’t matter much to the cat, but the material does. Sisal is a popular choice for scratching posts because it shreds easily. Yes, the post should shred. Your cat **wants** to shred something, and it’s either going to be the scratching post or your couch.
Once the material is shredded, you might be tempted to throw it away. But don’t do that – your cat will still enjoy it, and they love seeing their handiwork once the item is nicely shredded.
If you are working with a kitten, you have an advantage because it’s easier to teach them appropriate behaviors than it is with a full-grown cat already set in their ways. But no matter your cat’s age, with proper encouragement, you can teach them to prefer using a scratching post. Here are a few tricks you can try if your cat doesn’t naturally gravitate toward it.
Placement
Some pet owners buy a nice, tall scratching post and then tuck it into a rarely used corner of the house. However, cats are more likely to scratch in areas that are frequently used by people. Place the post in a living room or another well-used area until your cat has gotten used to it. After some time, you can move it to a more discreet location.
Also, try placing a scratching post near where your cat sleeps, as many cats like to scratch when they first wake up.
Temptation
If your cat doesn’t seem interested in using the new scratching post, try laying next to it, rubbing their belly, or offering them treats near the post. Make sure they associate the area around it with pleasant memories and experiences.
Remember, it’s a good idea to place scratching posts in different rooms throughout the house. Experiment with different textures, shapes, and placements until you find what works best for your cat.
While some scratching posts can be a bit pricey, it’s an investment worth making when you consider the happiness of your cat and the longevity of your furniture.
Happy scratching!
