Scratching is a normal, healthy behavior for cats; even declawed cats go through the motions of scratching. Why?
• To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
• To mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scent – cats have scent glands on their paws.
• To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.
• To work off excess energy.
Attempting to train a cat never to scratch is fighting a losing battle. It is much easier for you and much better for your feline companion if you concentrate on training your cat to scratch where you find it acceptable.
Give your cat a special place to use her claws. Surfaces for scratching should be appealing and attractive to your cat, and above all, convenient. The answers to the following questions will help you understand your cat’s scratching preferences:
• Where is his or her prime scratching area now? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping areas and areas near the entrance to a room are often chosen.
• What texture does the chosen surface have – is it soft or coarse?
• What shape does it have – horizontal or vertical?
• How tall is the current scratching area? At what height does your cat scratch?
Now that you know where and what your cat prefers to scratch, you can substitute similar, acceptable objects for her to scratch, for instance, rope-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard or even a log.
Place the new scratching station near the inappropriate item(s) that she’s already using. Make sure the scratching objects are stable and won’t fall over or move around when she uses them.
Cover the old inappropriate surfaces with something your cat will find unappealing, such as double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets of sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up. Or you may give the former scratching area an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing perfume, a muscle rub or some other unappealing odor. Be careful with scents- you don’t want the new scratching station to smell unpleasant.
When your cat is consistently using your chosen scratching object, it can be moved very gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location that suits you. It’s best to keep the appropriate scratching objects as close to your cat’s preferred scratching locations as possible.
Don’t remove the unappealing coverings or odors from the formerly scratched objects until your cat is consistently using the new scratching surfaces in their permanent locations for several weeks, or even a month. After that, you can uncover the old areas gradually, not all at once.
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 previously provided her with acceptable scratching objects. Punishment after the fact will not change the behavior but it may cause her to be afraid of you and may elicit defensive aggression.
If you do catch your cat in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, remote punishment is best. In other words, the cat must not realize that your are the source of the punishment. Ideas for remote punishment include making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a pop can filled with rocks or slapping the wall) or using a water-filled squirt bottle. If the cats recognizes you as the punisher, she’ll learn to refrain from scratching in your presence but will continue to scratch wherever she likes when you’re not around.
Seattle Humane Society
Chief Executive Officer