It’s very important to provide your kitty with scratching sur­faces. However, some cats might love that couch or those curtains so much that they just NEED to scratch them! While your cat might feel a particular fondness for exhibiting such behavior, it drives YOU crazy! We're here to help you determine why your cat has an itch to scratch some of the things you love most.

Why Cats Scratch

The first thing to realize, as is the case with any feline behavior, is that your cat has a specific reason for scratching, and it is not to bother you! Try to keep calm and do not punish your cat. Cats need to scratch, and we cannot prevent them from doing so. But we can try to change what they do and do not scratch. Your feline friend is scratching for several reasons, but primarily, cats scratch to communicate with other cats. By scratching up an object, they are not only creating a visible sign that says, "Hey! I was here!", but they are also leaving a smell from scent glands in their paws that informs other cats that what­ ever they have scratched is theirs and cannot be touched. Cats also scratch for exercise and because it just feels good! Scratching for cats is like a good stretch for humans, and is a great way for them to relieve frustration, too. So, your cat is not trying to destroy anything, he or she just doing what comes naturally to them: communicating and exercising.

Don't Declaw!!

If you can't keep your cat from scratching, how can you keep your cat from destroying furniture? First and foremost, DO NOT declaw your cat! While this may seem like the easiest and most effective way of keeping your cat from scratching up valuable items, it is also terribly inhumane. Claws are essential for your cat to function, and declawing them can cause medical problems, behavioral problems, difficulty balancing, and of course, emotional distress. Declawing does not simply remove a cat's nails, but actually removes part of each of their toes. It is the equivalent of having the last joints of all your fin­gers cut off! Even laser declawing, while is less stressful on the cat the day of surgery, still causes all the aforementioned problems. Laser declawing can even cause more issues because if any of the nail bed is missed (which is fairly easy to do since the surgical site is not obvious to the untrained eye), the nail will grow back inside of their paw and poke the cat from the inside out! There are other effective and much kinder ways to keep your cat from scratching. It is also important not to punish your cat, either. Your cat will not understand, and it will only damage your relationship with your cat and make getting along more difficult if you are having problems! We'll pro­vide some advice on humanely training your cat if he or she is very stubborn about scratching furniture or carpet later in the newsletter, but physical violence is always inappropriate.

Scratching Posts

The most basic way to help guide your cat away from scratching furniture is to provide him or her with at least one proper scratching post. Contrary to whatever the feel of the furniture your cat is scratching, cats generally like rough surfaces and will opt for something rough over a smoother sur­face. Look for a scratching post that is tall or long enough for them to stretch well on when using (at least 28 inches), and is rough enough to really shred up. Also, make sure that the post is very stable - if it falls or moves while your cat is scratching at it, the kitty isn't too likely to use it again. It is best to place scratching posts in areas your cat uses the most, such as where he or she most likes to rest and play. It is important to try different kinds of scratching posts. Some cats enjoy horizontal scratching posts, while some like vertical, and some like them on an angle. If one does not work, try one at a different angle. There are also rope scratching posts and cardboard scratching posts, which all feel different and cats have opinions about each one.

Cats enjoy scratching when they wake up, as it helps them stretch out. And while one post is okay, two or three posts are ideal. You can even use old pieces of carpet, reverse side up, well-attached to areas where your cat normally scratches if you cannot buy several scratching posts.-

Dos and Don'ts

After acquiring a lovely new scratching post, there are some specific ways you can entice your feline friend to use it. First of all, it is important to remember that cats are independent and do not like to be forced to do anything. Do not pick up your cat's paws and make scratching motions at the post with your cat's legs. Kitty will not appreciate this and will probably get annoyed. They know how to scratch. The trick to getting your cat to use a scratching post is to entice him or her to use it, and to give them a reason to want to! When your cat is near the post, scratch at it yourself to set an example for him or her. Make sure your post or posts are in areas well-used by family members. As cats are marking their territory, they don't want to be back in a corner somewhere.

Also, place the post or posts on or over the spots they normally most like to scratch, at first. Play with your cat near the post, or rub some catnip on it. When you see your cat use the post, reward him or her with a treat. If your cat is reluctant to give up scratching at his or her old spots, try to remove your cat's scent from the areas. Some pet odor remover from a pet supply store, followed by some citrus­ scented spray or potpourri of lemon and orange zests will discourage your cat from wanting to use the old spots (cats are adverse to citrus). If your cat still persists with scratching, you can blow a loud whistle or gently and quickly spray your cat with a water bottle set to a steady stream while your cat is scratching the undesired area. He or she won't want to scratch there if they're always sprayed with water when they do! This is the best way to train your cat to stay away from those areas. Remember - no physical violence or yelling! Covering the area with thick plastic may also help, as the texture won't be as desirable to your cat.

Other Options

Last, but not least, there are also actions you can take to minimize scratching damage to your furniture and carpet during a transition period, or if it is difficult to be home enough to help change your cat's behavior. Making sure your cat's nails are trimmed regularly can be helpful in preventing damage. While we will cover nail care in another news letter, it is safest for you and your cat to take a trip to the vet for a nail trim if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar with clipping your cat's nails. Your vet can do this safely and will explain the best way to do it in the future if you wish to do it yourself. You can also purchase lightweight plastic caps for your cat's nails that will prevent the sharp points of their nails from damaging surfaces. Soft Paws® caps should only be used on indoor cats (outdoor cats need their claws to defend themselves!) and will last about three to six months after your cat gets used to them. For more information on Soft Paws®, go here.

With time, patience, and proper persuasion, you and your cat can live happily in a lovely carpeted and upholstered home!

(Sources: Veterinarian Dr. Christine Schelling for CatScratching.com, and Daniel Q. Estep, Ph.D. and Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D. for AnimalBehavior.org)