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Cat Behavior Problems: Scratching

Thursday, September 08, 2011

by Steven Appelbaum

One of the most common problems cat owners encounter is cats scratching on inappropriate objects - furniture, carpeting, etc. I had one client whose cat scratched deep gouges in his car door. Problem behavior such as this can result in owners abandoning or re-homing their cats.

The good news is this behavior can be addressed. When dealing with any negative behavior, the first thing to do is understand its causes.

Question: Why do cats scratch?

Answer:  There are a number of reasons why cats engage in this behavior. Cats scratch to mark territory. This is facilitated via scent released from their pads as they scratch. Cats also scratch because they are stressed and/or impatient. They engage in this behavior to sharpen their claws. Cats scratch to get exercise and to stretch.

Finally, cats scratch because they like to-it is a very natural behavior. It is in some ways similar to a dog's desire to chew, although, unlike many dogs that outgrow the behavior, cats will often scratch throughout their entire lives. This means cats are going to scratch and nothing is going to be able to stop it. This doesn't mean giving up; it simply means when a bad behavior won't stop, it needs to be redirected.

STEP 1  Sisal scratching post/tree.

Sisal is a rough material cats can really dig their claws into. Additionally, the post needs to be high enough to enable scratching and stretching at the same time. The base should be sturdy, as wobbly, unstable posts will be rejected by most cats.

Many owners will say they already have one, but the question is what kind of post they have. If it is made of a soft, carpet-like fabric, it may be part of the problem. Aside from not being as attractive to most cats as sisal is, if owners encourage cats to scratch on soft fabric, it might reinforce to the cats that other soft fabric - such as a couch - is fair game.

Kittens and cats in households with dogs will benefit from a cat tree, which allows them to climb out of the way of pesky canines and get some peace. The best ones are sturdy, with a strong base and an enclosed area cats can go into to feel secure. Many cat trees also double as scratching posts. In a multiple-cat household, owners should consider numerous scratching posts and cat trees.

STEP 2  Advice on post/tree placement and ways to improve appeal.

I recommend putting the scratching posts near the areas where a cat has scratched inappropriate items. Owners should also consider placing a post where a cat sleeps, as many like to scratch first thing after getting up.

Other things owners can do: Feed the cat around the post or in the tree or both; apply catnip to make it much more interesting; provide praise when the cat scratches the post/tree; and tie cat toys to the tree/post. The key here is for owners to teach their cats to associate positive things with the post/tree. This is easier to do with kittens than it is with older cats, but patience and perseverance will pay off.

STEP 3  How to make inappropriate items less attractive.

Although the primary solution to inappropriate scratching involves teaching a cat to simply scratch somewhere else, some felines - especially older ones - will habitually scratch inappropriate objects. The solution to this dilemma involves making such items a "scratch-free" zone.

Cat owners can apply aluminum foil or two-sided tape to the objects in question, as most cats will not like the sensation of scratching metal or sticky stuff. Cats also don't like the smell of citrus, so cat "repellent" sprays containing citrus can be effective. Just be careful not to inadvertently spray the post or tree.

If a cat is scratching an area out of stress, you can use pheromone products, such as Feliway Comfort Zone. Pheromones can act as calming agents, which in cases of stress will decrease a cat's desire to scratch in those places.

As noted earlier, cats also leave their scent on objects they scratch. An odor neutralizer will help address this challenge. However, not if you're using Feliway, as the neutralizers can negate the pheromones' effects. Also, remember to test all spray products on a small area before applying them to expensive furniture.

Finally, if you see your cat scratching inappropriately, you can always give the cat a quick squirt of water from a pump spray bottle or water gun. Don't say anything, as you don't want to bring attention to yourself, just the behavior.

STEP 4  Other considerations.

In severe cases, owners can trim the cat's nails - there are numerous nail trimmers available, and many vets and groomers, such as Paws & Claws, also provide this service. However, I strongly recommend against declawing, as it leaves cats defenseless and out of balance. It is not a real solution for this problem. With time and practice, this behavior can be managed quite effectively, creating a win-win for you and your cats.

Steven Appelbaum has been a professional animal trainer for 30 years. He is the author of the book "The ABC Practical Guide to Dog Training," and is a freelance writer, lecturer and consultant.

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