Cat Scratching Keeps The Claws Healthy
Your cats claws are made of a protein called keratin, the same as your fingernails. Unlike our fingernails, claws peel off in layers like an onion. Scratching helps peel off those layers and leave behind a shiny, sharp, new claw.
Sharp claws help your kitty catch prey. If youve ever seen your cat hunt a mouse or other small creature, then leave it for you as a gift, you know.
If youre like most cat moms, you want your cat to scratch something appropriate and not your carpet, furniture, and doors.
What Blemish Column Should I Use
Sisal blemish posts are a abundant advantage as this actual is abiding and mimics timberline trunks, which would be area a cat would blemish in the wild. You can additionally get cheaper agenda abrading posts which bodies will love, but these are not as abiding as sisal abrading posts. Copse is addition acceptable alternative.
If you apprehension that your cat consistently goes for your covering couch over your board bookcase, it may be that they adopt abrading leather. If this is the case, you could additionally invest in a baby allotment of leather that is agnate to the actual of your daybed and attach this to their abrading column to animate them to use it.
You will additionally charge to accept a abrading column that is the correct admeasurement for your cat. Kittens will alone charge a baby post, admitting absolutely developed bodies and bigger breeds will charge beyond and added abiding ones. Ideally, the abrading column should be alpine abundant so that your cat and amplitude absolutely back application it.
How To Stop Bodies From Abrading Covering Furniture
Imagine this You accept aloof brought yourself a admirable new covering couch that you had to save up for a while to be able to afford.
You appear bottomward one morning with a cup of coffee, animated to yourself and accessible to bore into your new chair. Thats back you see it: blemish marks bottomward the ancillary of your cast new couch.
Does this adventure complete all too familiar? Cats, as admirable as they are, adulation to dig their claws into our furniture, and covering is one of their admired abstracts to barb at.
To stop your cat from abrading covering furniture, you can accommodate a artful abrading column or cat tree, or use a cat bridle to abash them from application your couch to acuminate their claws. You should additionally anticipate about why your cat is abrading your covering appliance in the aboriginal place. Is it boredom? Are they aggravating to mark their territory? Are they stressed?
In this article, we will run through how to stop bodies from abrading covering appliance and why they could be acting this way so that you can accept a blemish mark-free home and a blessed cat.
Thankfully, there are several means you can avert bodies from abrading covering furniture. You can use one of these methods or a aggregate of several until you acquisition a band-aid that works for you.
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Invest In A Scratching Post
When your cat digs her nails into your antique armoire, its easy to lose your temper and yell. That will only upset, confuse and provoke your cat. The best thing to do in these moments is to pick her up and place her next to a scratching post as a means of conditioning her.
Scratching posts provide cats with an outlet for their instinct to scratch while saving your furniture and carpets. Choose a scratching post that is similar to the material your cat most likes to scratch, said Meghan Herron, DVM and clinical assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Ohio State University.
Most cats prefer scratching posts made out of rough material they can shred. According to Herron, sisal scratching posts are ideal because they are satisfying to scratch and tough enough to stand up to repeated use. Try a variety of scratching posts, like ones made from hemp, cedar, cardboard or rope, to find the one your cat prefers.
Cats that scratch chair legs or the corners of your couch may prefer a vertical scratching post, while cats that scratch rugs and carpets may prefer a horizontal scratching post or mat, Herron said, adding that vertical scratching posts should be tall enough so that your cat can stretch up to scratch. Scratching posts should also be stabilized to ensure that they don’t move or tip over and scare your cat while she is using them.
Here are a few training tips to get your cat used to scratching a post instead of your furniture:
Option : Cat Scratch Furniture Protectors
The quickest and easiest remedy to the problem of a cat scratching leather furniture is to invest in some type of furniture cat scratch protector.
There are a number of different types of these on the market, so Ill give you a quick rundown of each.
Couch protector covers cover chairs, sofas, and other furniture fully or partially, protecting from not only scratches, but a lot of times, from spills as well.
They come in the form of plastic covers that are see-thru and can completely cover the entirety of the couch when youre away from home and unable to monitor your cats .
They also come in the form of slipcovers that are waterproof in case your kitty has a lot of accidents .
Some made of fabrics from cotton to velvet can completely transform an old, scratched up looking sofa into one that looks like new.
Keep this in mind in case you reach a point where youre happy with the comfort of your couch, but cant stand the way the scratches on it look anymore .
Clear plastic cat scratch guards are, in my opinion, the most beneficial type of furniture protector if youre trying to avoid damage or further damage to specific parts of your couch.
Theyre see-thru with either sticky tape backing that works on leather, or if you have some re-upholstered fabric furniture youd also like to protect, you can grab them with push pins instead .
Some of these are really cool looking and can really improve the aesthetic of a couch-gone-shredded .
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Assault The Senses: Cayenne Pepper And Cats Do Not Mix
In the event the cat thinks tin foil is a fun toy instead of a deterrent, hot pepper powder will not be so playful. Cayenne pepper will not permanently harm a cat but it may cause discomfort temporarily. Apply pepper powder near the area the cat has been clawing. The cat will investigate then learn that that area is now a place of pain. This method should only be used in desperate situations because it is not pleasant for the cat.
The pepper may leave a residue on your furniture, so it might be best to combine it with the aluminum foil and place a little bit of cayenne on there instead!
Provide A Scratching Post
Scratching posts come in all shapes and sizes, from the traditional vertical models to horizontal squares. There are a variety of textures used to cover scratching posts, including rope, soft carpet and thick carpet. Not all cats will like the same scratching post, so you might need to try a few different styles before you find one which suits your cats needs. Ensure the post is sufficiently tall to allow your cat to fully stretch, and sturdy enough to allow your cat to lean against the post.
If your cat has been targeting a certain area in the house, place the scratching post in front of the damaged furniture/carpet. If your cat isnt engaging in destructive scratching, place the posts in areas where your cat wants them, such as near the front door and next to their favourite sleeping spot. If you have more than one cat, consider getting two or more scratching posts as some cats will take ownership, preventing others from using a particular scratching post.
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Cat Perches And Condosperfect For Scratching And Lounging
Providing a multipurpose scratching surface that also works as a perch from which your kitty can survey his domain, both inside and outside, is a great idea.
A good, sturdy, sisal-covered post that has a place for your cat to lounge will not only satisfy your cat but will also help protect your furniture.
Think about, in nature, how cats like to perch in trees that are “their” trees. They have marked them as their domain, and they have a great view of what is going on in their territory. A couple of examples of great posts are here: Purrfect View and the Mondo!.
How To Stop A Cat From Scratching Your Couch: 5 Steps
Nicole Cosgrove
Cats are generally low-maintenance pets that provide lovable, furry companionship. However, not every part of owning a cat or a kitten is easy. As with any pet, you take on many responsibilities when you adopt them. These include giving them exercise, feeding them, and brushing them. You also have to work with them on any behavioral problems that they have. You need to have patience and willingness, as theres no such thing as the perfect pet.
One of the most destructive and irritating behaviors that a cat can have is when they use their sharp little claws to scratch up your furniture. Why is your cat scratching your couch, and how do you stop this negative behavior?
This article covers the reasons that cats scratch, declawing your cat, the methods that you can use to control the behavior, and the steps to go from scratched couches to scratching posts.
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Cat Scratching Is Territorial
Kitties are territorial. Part of their scratching behavior designates their claim. Your cat may scratch trees outside your homes entrance, your door or doorway, carpeting inside, and furniture.
Not only do they leave claw marks, but they also leave a scent behind. Their paw pads have scent glands called pheromones. Other animals can both see the scratch marks and smell the cat, so they know the area is claimed. Sometimes, cats who live with other animals feel extra compelled to claim their territory, so they may be especially possessive and scratch a lot. If you bring home a new cat, make sure you introduce them to a designated cat scratcher.
Whatever you do, dont yell at them or spray them with a water bottle for their scratching behavior. Youll only confuse and upset your kitty.
Instead, you can understand their point of view and work with them to create a new favorite scratching pad.
Most cats have a favorite place for scratching. For example, your cat might think your favorite chair makes a great scratching post. Whats your cats favorite clawing area? Thats a great spot to add an approvedscratching surface like a cat tree.
Whitney Bullock, the owner of The Charleston Cat Groomer in Charleston, S.C., says, Place a cat scratcher directly in front of the thing they scratch the most! Yes, you may not want the cat scratcher in your formal living room, but dont worry. You can slowly move it away day by day to a more preferred location.
Place The Scratching Post In A Location Where The Cat Wants To Scratch
If your cat enjoys scratching the couch, place the scratching post next to the couch. If your cat enjoys scratching the wall by your front door when you come home, place the scratching post near your front door. Location matters!
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Why Cats Scratch Furniture
Before we start talking about how to get them to stop, do you know why cats scratch furniture in the first place? Well, in the wild, cats sharpen their claws on trees and similar surfaces in order to stay fit for survival. It was a survival instinct that has been passed down from generation to generation. Lucky us. In the home, their claw-sharpening antics only get them in trouble and leave you with scratched up sofas and claw marks in your walls.
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Accommodate Added Dispatch & Attention
Often, bodies can misbehave as they are apathetic and charge article to activate them both mentally and physically. They could additionally be clawing your appliance as a way of gluttonous attention, alive that youll appear over to stop them if you apprehension them abrading your couch.
You can accommodate dispatch in a array of ways, but authoritative abiding your cat has lots of toys and arena calm with them consistently can advice to accumulate your cat entertained, mentally stimulated, and active, while giving them some one-on-one attention. There are abundance of cat toys accessible on the market, so try a few altered options to see what your cat brand best.
If your cat is abandoned for continued periods such as back youre out at assignment anniversary day, accepting the radio on in the accomplishments will accommodate them will some dispatch while youre not there. Motorized and motion-sensor toys are additionally abundant for bodies who are home abandoned as they can comedy with these themselves.
If you dont accept money to buy new toys, you can accomplish some application accepted domiciliary items. Agenda boxes are abundant for bodies and they adulation to adumbrate central them. Ping-pong assurance are additionally a abundant and bargain advantage or alike tie some blubbery cord to a stick to annoyance about the floor.
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Sprays Tapes And Other Deterrents
Not all cats adapt to scratching posts. As an alternative, try covering her favorite scratching places with double-sided sticky tape like Sticky Paws. Cats paws are extremely sensitive. This acute sensitivity makes sticky surfaces exceptionally annoying, and cats will avoid scratching any place so uninviting.
Herbal sprays can also keep your cat from scratching unwanted areas of your home. Dont use anything that could harm the cat if she ingests it and be careful with strong odors because you dont want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant, Herron cautioned.
Keeping your cats nails trim is another way to reduce damage from scratching. Herron recommends trimming the sharp tip of your cats claws about once a week, being careful not to cut into the quick , which will cause bleeding and be painful for the cat. Use a nail trimmer designed especially for cats, not for humans or dogs, and if you are unsure how to safely trim your cats nails, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration.
You can also dull your cats claws by sheathing them with Soft Paws, plastic caps which fit over your cats claws. Your cat will have to be patient enough to let you or a veterinarian put them on and trim the nails underneath, however. Some cats will take them off, but many tolerate them. They glue on easily, last four to six weeks and won’t interfere with normal claw retraction.
Give Your Cat Something Else To Scratch
Put various scratching materials in locations that your cat likes to scratch. There are many things available for your cat’s claws to dig into. Big or small, choose whatever you have room for and can afford. Place one near the cats sleeping area and rub a little catnip on them, as this will encourage them to scratch in their favorite spot.
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Should I Punish My Cat For Scratching
No. Punishment is effective only if you catch your cat in the act of scratching unacceptable objects and have provided her with acceptable scratching objects. Punishment after the fact, wont change the behavior, may cause her to be afraid of you or the environment and may elicit defensive aggression. Used by itself, punishment wont resolve scratching problems because it doesnt teach your cat where to scratch instead.
If you do catch her in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, remote punishment is best, in which you do not directly interact with her. Ideas for remote punishment include making a loud noise , throwing a pillow at her or using a water-filled squirt bottle. If punishment is interactive, shell learn to refrain from scratching in your presence but will continue to scratch when youre not around.
Should Cats Be Declawed
To prevent a cat from scratching, some veterinarians offer declawing, a surgical procedure that removes a cat’s claws. Although declawing techniques have become less painful with laser technology, it is a surgery that still carries potential complications.
In fact, some countries as well as US cities have banned the practice, including England Italy France Germany Austin, Texas and St. Louis, Missouri. The American Veterinary Medical Association also discourages the practice and instead recommends providing scratching surfaces like the ones featured in this guide as well as frequent nail trims and positive reinforcement training. Complications of this procedure can include infection, tissue necrosis, and back pain, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
In additions, removing a cat’s claws prevents them from practicing innate behaviors such as scratching and climbing. Veterinarians also do not know how, or if, declawing impacts a cat’s quality of life and psychological well-being.
While a cat typically heals from laser declawing in around three weeks and pain can be managed with medications such as fentanyl patches, Murtaugh does not believe that the procedure is necessary unless there is a valid medical reason for it.
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Why Do Bodies Blemish Furniture
You now apperceive how to stop bodies from abrading covering couches, but to accept an able and adapted adjustment from the ones listed above, you additionally charge to accept why bodies scratch. This way, you can be abiding to accept a adjustment or methods that work!
The important affair to bethink is that abrading is a natural behavior for cats. You should never apprehend your cat to stop abrading altogether as it is instinctive. Actuality are all the affidavit that your cat could be scratching.