Put an end to cat scratching problems

If you are the owner of a cute and cuddly kitten, you may find yourself with a big problem: scratching. Although cats make great pets, many of them also love to scratch. Not only can this be painful for you, but it can also wreak havoc on your furniture and other personal belongings. Therefore, you may want to take some steps to help put an end to your cat’s incessant scratching.

Understand the need to scratch

Before you can get your cat to stop scratching, it helps to get a better understanding of why your cat engages in this behavior in the first place. In the wild, this type of behavior is actually cats’ way of laying claim to their territory. While many people know that cats market their territory by spraying the area, few realize that scratching is another way a cat leaves its unique mark on a particular area.

Many people believe that cats scratch to sharpen their claws. While this may be partly the case, cats generally scratch to exercise the tendons and muscles in their paws. Also, scratching helps remove old nail shells from their claws. By removing these shells, it may appear that your cat is “sharpening” her claws, but she is actually removing the old nails to reveal the newer claws underneath.

put an end to scratching

Although scratching is a normal and healthy behavior for cats, it can be quite problematic for their owners. As a result, some cat owners choose to declaw their cats. While this may put an end to the scratching behavior, you may want to consider trying some alternative strategies first.

One strategy that can help put an end to your cat’s scratching is to redirect the scratching to a scratching post. To get your cat to use his scratching post, try these strategies:

o Introduce enough scratching posts in your home so that each cat has one of their own, plus one extra. Once the cats have established which post belongs to which cat, you can remove the extras
o Keep scratching posts about 3 feet tall, or high enough for your cat to fully stretch without reaching the top of the post
o Make sure the scratching post is sturdy and won’t fall off when your cat scratches it
o Use a scratching post made of burlap or other material that allows the cat to leave a visible mark without tearing the fabric
o Place the scratching post next to the objects your cat likes to scratch and then gradually move the post to a less obvious position

You may also consider spraying your furniture with moth repellant to deter your cat from scratching, or cover your furniture with heavy-duty plastic sheeting. Once your cat successfully begins using the scratching post, you can stop taking these extra steps.