Cats and kittens! No matter how adorable, furry, and charming they are, they all come with one downside when kept at home – scratching. Most of the cats will have no mercy scratching all your furniture, clothes, and even you. It is especially frequent and irritating when the animal is yet to be mature.
Scratching is one of the cat’s primary needs. It can be put in the same category as eating or sleeping. Scratching comes with the whole set of benefits for a cat: from stretching the upper body’s parts, through marking the territory, to threatening other animals.
Moreover, by scratching, cats sharpen their claws – the essential part of cats’ defensive mechanism. For the cat to feel safe, the nails always need to be sharp enough to use, even if you have a lazy, stay-in-door furry companion.
And these are just some of the reasons behind the enormous amount of scratching. On top of that, kittens do it when they feel relaxed or playful.
Considering that, most cat owners face the same issue: how do you prevent your cat from destroying all your properties through improper or extensive scratching?
If you are one of those people, you do not need to worry anymore. Following these steps will help you reduce the amount of your cat’s unnecessary scratching.
KNOW ‘WHY’?
The first thing you should focus on when trying to change your cat’s scratching habits is the reasons why it’s scratching so much in the first place. There may be various explanations for why your cat is acting the way it is. Some of the most common reasons for compulsive scratching include:
Fleas
Pain
Age
Allergic reactions
Anxiety
Boredom
Compulsive disorder
So, your cat may simply be moody or bored, but there’s also a chance that it suffers from an unpleasant disease. To try and change your animal’s behavior, you first need to understand it. Look for patterns. See if there are any particular situations when your cat is more prone to start scratching.
While you keep an eye on your cat, feel free to read some vet-approved articles on websites like Pet Place or Prevent Vet to check the reasons behind your cat’s scratching, and how to change it.
If all the sources fail to give you enough information, contact a professional.
INVEST IN SCRATCHING POSTS
Your cat’s scratching post should be designed appropriately. It should be heavy enough for the animal to dig their claws deep into it.
You have probably noticed that most cats prefer to scratch particular objects that are not meant to be scratched, such as a wooden wardrobe or sofas. It is time to ask yourself a question: what do these items have in common that a scratching post may lack? The most probable answer is stability.
When sharpening their claws, kittens need to put their weight on the object they are scratching and feel the resistance. If the scratching post that you own is too wobbly, it won’t do its thing.
Investing in a stable scratching post with an abrasive surface will meet your cat’s needs, and save you a lot of money on furniture renovation.
GIVE THE STICKY TAPE A NEW PURPOSE
Have you ever thought about the numerous characteristics and forms of using the adhesive tape? One of them that should be of your particular interest at the moment is lubricity.
Tape the parts of furniture that your cat likes to scratch with sticky tape, and observe the animal. The next time the kitten will try to dig their claws into the piece of furniture, they won’t be able to. Their nails will not get hooked on the material.
Your cat is likely to try scratching a couple more times. After a few failed attempts, it should stop harassing the furniture taped with adhesive tape.
CUT THE CAT’S NAILS
Another tip to reduce the amount of scratching and destroyed furniture is to cut the cat’s claws. However, it would be best if you were very careful with this one. Do it only if you are confident with your manual skills and trust your cat.
The most accessible tool to cut kittens nails is nail trimmers or nail clippers; there are tools specially designed for animals. You will need to press the cat’s pads and quickly cut the nail.
Be careful not to hurt your animal. Cutting too much can harm the cat! Also, do it fast, so the kitten doesn’t get frustrated and start escaping.
Conclusion
Most cat owners say that having a cat as a pet was one of the most excellent choices.
On the one hand, cats are lovable and endearing. They will gladly play with you, cuddle with you, and bring a lot of joy to your house.
On the other hand, they are individuals. Teaching the cat’ good manners’ such as no furniture scratching takes time and patience. Using the tips mentioned above will help you make the process easier and faster.
On top of that, keep in mind that excessive scratching is characteristic of the new and young cats. It tends to fade away when the cat gets mature and starts to feel more comfortable in the house.
