Find out why your cat scratches and how to stop it.
With their curious natures, graceful bodies, and furry faces, cats make wonderful companions. But who came up with the idea of putting little knives on their paws?
Luckily for us, our cats spend most of their time with their claws safely tucked away, but not always. Sticking out claws doesn’t help our sofas, wallpaper, curtains or carpets, which can become the target of repeated and relentless attacks. So why do cats scratch and how can we stop them from doing so?
Why do cats scratch?
Cats scratch around the house for many different reasons, and it’s important to find out why your cat is scratching before you start addressing their behavior:
- Maintaining healthy claws – cats’ claws are constantly growing and as they scratch they remove the old top layer, revealing new, sharp claws. You can often find peeling pieces of this layer where your cat likes to scratch.
- Marking its territory – by scratching, a cat leaves visible traces and scent marks that signal to other cats that this is its territory. If it scratches at a door or cat passage, it is in this way that it is “marking its home”.
- Getting your attention – although cats may seem reserved, they often love human interaction. Scratching can be their way of getting you to notice them and pay attention to them.
- Simply for pleasure – scratching strengthens the back and shoulder muscles and cats really enjoy it – no wonder it makes them happy!
Now we know why they do it, but how do we convince them to stop?
1. Provide them with an alternative place to scratch
If your cat is scratching to sharpen their claws, then the obvious solution is to buy a scratching post as an alternative target. This is easier said than done, as your cat may have developed a particular piece of furniture or a section of wallpaper! Start by placing the scratching post in front of a favorite scratching spot and encourage your cat by gently rubbing their paws on the new toy. Scratching posts are specifically designed to provide cats with a pleasant scratching alternative, and they usually get used to them quickly. You can also try products with pheromones, which naturally attract cats to interact.
2. Bribes
You’ve gently and patiently encouraged your cat to use the new scratching post, but she’s not interested in it at all. It’s time to try bribes. Put treats on the scratching post and give your cat lots of attention when she uses it correctly. Now try blocking off the old places where your cat used to scratch – hopefully she’ll like the new toy instead of moving to another sofa or rug!
3. Help your cat feel more secure
If your cat is scratching near a door, window or cat flap, it’s likely that they don’t feel safe in their territory. There are a number of things you can do to make them feel less stressed:
- Install a cat flap that restricts entry to other cats (such as a microchip-activated cat flap).
- Clean the areas where your cat scratches – removing the odor can prevent your cat from returning to the same spot.
- Downsize your home by restricting access to a number of “non-essential” rooms – allowing your cat to slowly become more comfortable in the main rooms, such as the kitchen, living room and hallway.
- Create elevated areas where your cat can sit and observe their surroundings. They will feel safer and more confident from up high, as they will have an overview of their “territory”.
- Help your cat “mark” the house with its scent – cats have scent glands on their faces and like to rub themselves against things. You can gently wipe your cat’s face with a cloth and then rub the cloth over different parts of the house to make them feel more secure in their territory. Alternatively, you can use products with cat pheromones, which mimic this effect and can reduce stress.
- Do not yell at your cat or punish it for scratching, as this can cause even more stress and a greater tendency to scratch.
4. Time to play!
Many cats love their owners’ attention, but they often don’t know how to get it in the right way. For example, your cat may notice that when she scratches her scratching post, no one is paying attention to her, but a few scratches on a new couch will immediately get your reaction. More playtime or a new toy can help divert her attention elsewhere.
It is also important to reward your cat when they use the “official” scratching post – this teaches them where scratching is welcome. Remember, scratching is a natural cat behavior that cannot be suppressed. The goal is just to direct your cat to the right place. Good luck with your training and playing!