How to Stop Your Cat From Scratching
Are you overwhelmed because you can’t get your cat to stop scratching all the valuables in your home? Does your cat tear up the things you leave lying around? Did you know that scratching actually a natural thing for your cat? Well, before you get discourage, there are ways to get your feline friend to stop scratching your stuff, and the methods are easy. When getting your cat to stop scratching your things take this information into consideration.
While there are many reasons your cat may be clawing, it has nothing to do with making your angry. One real reason for clawing is to mark their territory. While you’ll find this reason is more true for males than females, females will do this too. Or it could be that they are stressed out. Clawing releases stress for cats. So if they have some sort of stress in their lives at the moment, you’ll find that they claw more. Cats also scratch to keep their claws sharp, groomed, and short. This is instinctual. Since cats are natural hunter, they need their claws to be in optimal hunting condition. Another reason is simply if they get bored. They need something to do, and scratching is something to do.
Now, that you know a few reasons why they scratch you have to remember it’s natural so if you want them to stop scratching valuables, you have to get them something else to claw. Give them a variety of choices. Some cats prefer carpet on a post, and some prefer a log. There are many types of surfaces available for you and your feline friend to try out. You may have to purchase a few scratching elements, but I bet it won’t cost nearly as much as purchasing new furniture.
To make sure that they use it, take the time to make it a part of your home. Because scratching is at least partially due to territorial marking, take the time to make sure that the post is in a place where the will want to be. Most likely, this means that they want to scratch in a place that is populated with people. You may also want to make your cat more interested in the post by rubbing it with catnip powder while using a pet odor remover to make her less interested in her former scratching spots.
Many see declawing your cat as a quick fix. While it will fix your cat from scratching, it will also bring up a new batch of issues. While some try to convince you declawing is harmless, and is similar to getting your nails trimmed. It’s NOT! Declawing is no a trip to the salon. The process of declawing your cat is extremely painful for them since they do cut of their fingers from the first joint of their paw, out. Never consider this horrible operation an option. No only will is it unnecessary but it also cause problems in their paws, and joints later in life.
If you want a quick fix to stop go out and get plastic nail caps. This is a painless, and easy way to keep you cat from clawing up your furniture.
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- Kathrynn Kelley
