Cats Need to Scratch: Understanding Their Behavior
Cats need to scratch. It’s not something they do just to annoy you, wake you from a beautiful sleep, or torment you with their claws two hours later. They aren’t selfishly trying to test your last bit of restraint, nor are they concerned with the fact that their habit ruins your furniture. Cats need to scratch for the health of their claws. Stopping a cat from scratching is like stopping a train wreck with your bare hands. Unless you’re harboring a superpower, it’s not going to happen. The best you can hope for is teaching them the appropriate place to scratch.
How to Redirect Your Cat’s Scratching Habits
Your basic goal is to ask your cat to take his scratching habits to a more appropriate location. This means you want to dissuade him from scratching in areas that cause damage, such as the edge of the bed, the sofa, the walls, and any other inconvenient places that tear through your nerves. Then, encourage him to scratch in places that are acceptable and won’t cause any damage, like a scratching post. Unfortunately, you’re asking him to give up numerous areas that please him in favor of one or two areas that please you. Sometimes, the transition can be a bit rocky.
When choosing a scratching post (or two), try to select something that vaguely resembles one of his favorite scratching spots. Color is inconsequential, but the size and height of the post can make a difference when it comes to his willingness to make the transition.
Scratching posts now come in a variety of configurations. You can find everything from a simple scratching post to an entire scratching haven complete with hideaway peep holes, sleeping areas, and various toys. Some cats are intimidated by huge play structures with scratching posts and peek-a-boo features, while others find them to be the ultimate playground. Knowing which direction your feline warrior is likely to swing depends on understanding his personality—and, of course, a little bit of luck.
If you have a cat who insists on playing among your blankets when you’re just trying to make the bed, or who loves to hide in the most ironic and downright silly places, chances are he’ll adore his own little kingdom. However, if your cat lacks enthusiasm for play (a classic case of “Garfield Syndrome”), he’s probably not going to be interested in a play castle for cats.
Some cats just prefer a regular piece of wood with no frills. A friend of mine went through three types of scratching posts before his cat settled on a spare 2 x 4 left over from remodeling his kitchen. Sometimes, a cat will simply let you know what he needs, and all you have to do is pay attention.
In all fairness, you can’t ask a cat not to scratch unless you offer an alternative. If you’re bringing home a new kitten, a scratching area should be on the list of necessities, right next to the litter box and food. If you already have a cat (which likely means you already have a scratching problem), the sooner you bring home a scratching post, the better. The longer you allow the behavior, the harder it will be to break it.
Some cats are surprisingly easy to train. Simply showing them their new scratching area is enough. Other cats, however, may treat the post like some alien testing device, running away in terror as if it tracks their every thought. As of yet, there is no book on the psychology of cats that fully explains such erratic behaviors. Either way, let’s assume for argument’s sake that your cat refused to socialize for three days after you introduced his new scratching palace.
Choosing the Right Scratching Post
Cats tend to prefer rougher surfaces to graze their nails against. They like to stretch their long bodies to their fullest to get a good, satisfying scratch, and they prefer to do this against a secure environment. So, bringing home something small, soft, and easily knocked over by a sneeze is not likely to be a hit. Make sure the scratching post is solid and functional, and he might be a bit more interested.
Don’t pretend you know how to be a cat. Crouching on the floor and showing your cat the basics of scratching isn’t likely to train him to do anything but think you’re odd (at least, more odd than usual for the moment). By now, you’ve probably noticed where his favorite scratching spots are. Leave the scratching post there, at least for now, so he sees it as a better option. Hiding it in the back corner of the basement won’t draw him to it.
Punishing him won’t make sense to your cat. Sometimes, you can deter a cat from scratching in a particular area by using noise. A quick loud sound that he can’t associate with you is often enough to discourage him. In his mind, the sofa made that horrible noise when he tried to scratch it.
