If you have a cat, chances are you've had to deal with them wanting to scratch things around the home. Whilst this is natural for them, it can leave you becoming concerned about what they are scratching, especially if they don't have good alternatives.
Cats scratch for many reasons whether it's to maintain their claw length, mark their territory, or even just when stretching their bodies by clinging to a surface, but when this happens to be your new sofa, table or curtains, it's less than ideal.
Knowing what to do to prevent your cat's claws from becoming a nuisance is key, so below you'll find some simple ways to avert their attention away from items in the home you want to keep in good condition.
Why Do Cats Need to Scratch?
Scratching is all part of a cat's instinctive behaviour, and there are two main reasons they do it as per the Cats Protection - to keep their claws in good condition, and to communicate with other cats and leave a reminder for themselves, thanks to the scent glands between the paw pads. This means that as much as you may not want your cats to scratch, they need to as part of their routine.
Looking at it from a positive position, scratching helps to sharpen their claws and naturally maintain their length, removing any loose or dead layers. It also gives them a good workout, strengthening and stretching their muscles on a daily basis. It's also part of their scent-marking routine just like when they may rub their head on surfaces. This helps to communicate to other cats outside when roaming as well as in the house, especially if living with other cats, as a way of marking their territory.
It can also be a way to relieve stress, for instance, in a busy household or where they may share space with other pets, as well as being something they do whilst playing with a toy when excited. As there are many different reasons for this, managing their scratching is the best way to prevent it from becoming a nuisance in the home. So, what can you do to help?
Give Your Feline Suitable Items To Scratch
The best way to prevent furniture and other items from being damaged is to make sure your cat has plenty of alternatives. Keeping them focused on what they can scratch will divert their attention, and they'll soon get into a good routine.
You may find that when new items are introduced to a home, your cat may become more interested in them. For instance, during the Christmas period, you'll need to keep your cat safe from many types of festive hazards, including the tree, tinsel, and lights. These can all attract your cat's attention and invite them to get closer, increasing the likelihood of them being scratched or chewed, so having items to distract them is always best.
If you do not already have a scratching post or two in strategic locations at home, this should be on your shopping list. Other items like boards and pads can provide variety, and you can then put them in different rooms that make them appealing to your cat.
When choosing scratching posts make sure they are tall enough for your cat, then they'll be able to fully stretch their body if they want to. The material the posts and pads are made from can also vary, so look at different textures such as cardboard, wood, and those with sisal string that is wrapped around the post or pad. Once you start looking for different products, you'll see many different variations available. Make sure they are good quality and safe for your cat to use.
Ideally, once you introduce and your cat starts using these items, they'll leave their scent on them, making it more likely they will continue to use them. Just be sure to check how worn these items are and replace them when necessary to prevent your cat from sharpening their claws elsewhere.
Making Furniture Unappealing To Your Cat
One of the reasons your cat will choose to target furniture, carpets, curtains etc. is because they are ideal for digging their claws in. So, making these items less appealing for them, along with scratching toys nearby, can work really well. So how can you do this?
Clean Scratched Items - your cat would have left their scent on their favourite items to scratch, so if this happens to be your sofa, you'll want to remove this scent that is encouraging them to come back and scratch. Cleaning the sofa is one way to do this, so use suitable cleaning products and see if this helps.
Deterrent Sprays - you can also try scratching deterrent sprays and apply them to the surfaces of items you would like them to stay away from. However, the smell of this can be quite strong to humans too, so keep this in mind when using regularly. If you don't mind the odour from this, then it can work for some cats. If looking to use, be sure to purchase good quality products that are suitable and not harmful to your feline.
Plastic Sheeting, Tape and Foil - another method to try is using plastic sheeting or double-sided tape - this is because the texture is less appealing for a cat due to being smooth or sticky. Aluminium foil is another item that is smooth that when touched will make a noise which your cat will be wary of. How much of your furniture you decide to cover with items like this will depend on your preferences and it isn't always practical. You can try putting these near to furniture instead of on it and see if this is effective for your cat.
Not every method will work, so it can be trial and error until you find a solution that works best for you and your cat. A mixture of having deterrents as well as plenty of suitable things to scratch can be a good combination.
Keeping Your Cat Entertained & Stress-Free
Sometimes, scratching is a way for your cat to relieve stress, boredom, or even to feel more secure in the home. Helping them feel more relaxed and entertained can also help them avoid scratching the wrong things.
Interacting with your cat is important as it will help them feel more bonded to you and it will deter them from scratching due to boredom. It also helps distract their attention when playing games with their favourite toy. Cats of course do like their own time away from human interaction, but giving them attention when they need it can help.
Keep an eye on their behaviour when your cat does come into a room, and if you see they are heading towards furniture they have scratched before, divert their attention. Using treats with positive reinforcement can be effective too when combined with playtime and keeping them entertained.
When to Seek Professional Help
In situations where you've tried many of the above methods without success, or if you notice your cat is showing signs of anxiety or acting differently than normal, it is always best to speak to your vet.
They will be able to rule out any health-related issues that might be contributing to the behaviour and help you get to the bottom of why they may be scratching more, especially if this is unusual for your cat. They may recommend speaking to a behaviour specialist who will be able to provide more personalised advice.
It's important to remember that what works for one cat may not for another, so don't become disheartened if you've tried everything and your feline is still scratching the things it shouldn't. Being patient and consistent will work for most cats, but your vet will always be there to help further if you are unsure what to do next.
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