Cats Behavior : Dealing With Scratching
Your cat wants to scratch, it was born in them, and their claws evolved over time as a means of hunting and defense. The process of domestication of today's cats did not remove their claws, nor their natural inclination to use them for scratching. Scratching is such a problem for some people that they put their cats through declawing, but this procedure can have complications for your cat, along with being quite painful. There are many alternatives to such drastic measures however, which is fortunate for you and your cat.
Scratching posts are a very simple way to deal with a cat with a scratching problem. The basic instinct to scratch can be dealt with by having scratching posts cats can utilize to express this instinct. A rough material such as cardboard, sisal or burlap is usually used in the construction and manufacture of scratching posts. The cat scratching instinct is satisfied by scratching on this rough surface at the same time it helps remove from the claw area dead skin and nails.
By using scratching posts, cat behaviors like scratching can be improved easily and inexpensively. The costs for this posts can range from less than ten dollars for a disposable cardboard post to the very extravagant posts that are carpeted and essentially cat furniture. It is a good idea to also provide more than one post per cat due to the cat's instinct to mark their territory by exercising claws throughout the house.
Another option to protect your furniture from scratching is the use of double-sided tape or bubble wrap. When you cover your furniture with these items your cat will discover that scratching is not a pleasant experience and will quickly stop the habit. All you need to do is put up the tape or bubble wrap for about a week and your cat will learn not to scratch.
One solution to consider is to clip your pet's claws. You can use a grooming tool specially designed for that purpose, or just use regular fingernail clippers. Gently hold your cat and apply light pressure on its paw pads, which will force the claw to come out. Then very carefully clip the end of the claw with the clippers. Make sure to cut only a very small amount at the very tip, otherwise this procedure can be painful for your cat. Clipping your pet's claws can be an easy solution to difficult problems with a cats behavior.
If the cats behavior is not changed by the use of scratching posts and covering the scratched surfaces then the claw covers can be used. They are like artificial nails for the cat which can be put either at home or at the vet's office. They come in various colors. A little of special glue allows the claws to cling . The slippery blunt surface of these claw cover saves carpet and furniture.
Cat scratching is cats behavior that is instinctive to maintain the claws. Unless you want the drastic step of declawing, you need to provide acceptable outlets other than your furniture. The obvious is to try scratching posts cats will use instead, made of rough materials like sisal, burlap, or corrugated cardboard, and have several since cats mark territory by scratching. To further discourage using furniture, use double sided sticky tape or bubble wrap covering problem areas until the cat gives up. Another option is temporary glued on plastic claw covers which protect carpet and furniture.
Published October 17th, 2007
Filed in Pets
