Destructive Scratching - Prevention and Solutions
Understanding scratching behavior - Why cats scratch
It's normal for cats to scratch objects in their environment for many reasons:
To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
To mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent - they have scent glands on their paws.
To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.
To work off energy.
Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one that cats are highly motivated to display, it's unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems is to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
Make scratching inappropriate objects unpleasant and inaccessible
Cover the inappropriate …show more content…
Give the objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing the scent of orange, lemon, or eucalyptus oil, a muscle rub or other unpleasant odor. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the nearby acceptable objects also to smell unpleasant.
Consider creating a deterrent to certain areas with the help of a motion detector attached to a spray or ultrasonic noise. It is generally recommended to correct your cat remotely so that they do not associate the negative correction with you or other humans. Otherwise, you will create fear in the cat toward humans and likely train the cat to scratch in secret.
Shut doors to rooms with very special furniture, furnishings, and objects. If you have antiques or furniture that is of great value, consider leaving it in a cat-free zone. Ensure that everyone in the family is aware that the cats must not be let into that area or room and always keep doors to these areas closed. If the cat does wander in, shoo him out abruptly so that he associates it with being "out of bounds."
Training your cat to scratch acceptable …show more content…
They should then be removed gradually, not all at once.
Stopping bad scratching
Use your tone of voice to correct their behavior. A sharp "NO!" whenever your cat goes anywhere near a clawed piece of furniture can help to reduce his interest in clawing it.
If you don't like yelling or sounding fierce, rattle a can of pebbles or pennies to startle him or clap your hands, and redirect your cat scratching to one of the acceptable objects.
Do not sound angry or go into a nasty tirade against your cat; remember he is simply following instincts.
Never scold your cat when he is near or using the scratching post. He needs to associate the scratching post with all things pleasant and happy.
Use water to stop your cat's bad behavior. If you have a spray bottle of water, you could try squirting your cat whenever he goes near the furniture and starts scratching it. Aim to do this before your cat starts scratching but if not, squirt mid-scratch. This will not hurt your cat, but it will help to associate scratching that piece of furniture with a less-than-pleasant spritz of
Understanding scratching behavior - Why cats scratch
It's normal for cats to scratch objects in their environment for many reasons:
To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
To mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent - they have scent glands on their paws.
To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.
To work off energy.
Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one that cats are highly motivated to display, it's unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems is to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
Make scratching inappropriate objects unpleasant and inaccessible
Cover the inappropriate …show more content…
Give the objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing the scent of orange, lemon, or eucalyptus oil, a muscle rub or other unpleasant odor. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the nearby acceptable objects also to smell unpleasant.
Consider creating a deterrent to certain areas with the help of a motion detector attached to a spray or ultrasonic noise. It is generally recommended to correct your cat remotely so that they do not associate the negative correction with you or other humans. Otherwise, you will create fear in the cat toward humans and likely train the cat to scratch in secret.
Shut doors to rooms with very special furniture, furnishings, and objects. If you have antiques or furniture that is of great value, consider leaving it in a cat-free zone. Ensure that everyone in the family is aware that the cats must not be let into that area or room and always keep doors to these areas closed. If the cat does wander in, shoo him out abruptly so that he associates it with being "out of bounds."
Training your cat to scratch acceptable …show more content…
They should then be removed gradually, not all at once.
Stopping bad scratching
Use your tone of voice to correct their behavior. A sharp "NO!" whenever your cat goes anywhere near a clawed piece of furniture can help to reduce his interest in clawing it.
If you don't like yelling or sounding fierce, rattle a can of pebbles or pennies to startle him or clap your hands, and redirect your cat scratching to one of the acceptable objects.
Do not sound angry or go into a nasty tirade against your cat; remember he is simply following instincts.
Never scold your cat when he is near or using the scratching post. He needs to associate the scratching post with all things pleasant and happy.
Use water to stop your cat's bad behavior. If you have a spray bottle of water, you could try squirting your cat whenever he goes near the furniture and starts scratching it. Aim to do this before your cat starts scratching but if not, squirt mid-scratch. This will not hurt your cat, but it will help to associate scratching that piece of furniture with a less-than-pleasant spritz of