All cats scratch!

Following last month's column about the uniqueness of those wonderful feline pets, we received several letters saying something like: "Sure, they're great – but what about their darn scratching?"

As all cat owners know, the little devils love to scratch. Outdoors, they prefer to scratch on the bark of a tree. Of course, indoors cats will usually substitute the couch, or another piece of furniture.

Why do cats do this and what can we do about it?

 
Scratching is a natural and necessary behavior, and does so for two reasons: to leave a trace of its smell and to sharpen its nails. The nails are the most important tool for a cat to defend itself, so they need to stay sharp. To do this, they scratch objects to scrape off the outside layer of their claws, which are replaced with the new sharper nails.

Traces of smell are ways to communicate with other members of the same species. This way they can avoid each other in "hunting" areas, in the mating season, and can identify their own territories and find their way there.

In the tail, chin, lips and forehead are many fatty glands which give an oily substance which is unique for each cat. Between the soles of the paw are other glands and, by scratching, the cat lets the others know that he was there. In addition to leaving traces of smell, the cat scratches to leave a visible sign of its presence.

Since, scratching is natural behavior you cannot teach a cat not to do it. But you can teach it to do it at a special place. A little piece of carpet on the wall or wrapped around an upright post serves this purpose. You can either make one yourself, or there are several choices available in pet shops.

It's important to teach your cat at a young age that this scratching post is the only place to be used for that purpose. Every time it wants to scratch the furniture, put him in front of the post. You can even help him by putting his claws on the post. In the pet shop, there are special sprays and drops to put on the post which attract the cat even more. Also, there are sprays which the cat does not like, and by spraying them on the furniture, like that new leather Lazy Boy recliner that most cats seem to love, hopefully it will leave it alone and use the scratching post!

After your pet starts using the right spot, he leaves his smell there and that is the invitation to do it at the same place again.

If your cat is stubborn, and still scratches in the wrong place, there are a few other ways to try to stop it.  First, try spraying it with water every time when it starts scratching in the wrong place.  Or, make a loud noise: for example with a metal box and stones. Off course, you must do this only when you catch the cat "red handed." Also, you could try putting the scratching post at the spot where the cat seems to prefer. By using the post there, he will leave his smell and slowly you could move the post to the place you prefer.

If all else fails, you could attach a piece of emery paper to the furniture. Cats do not like scratching it, and will go to another place.

With a little effort, you can control where your cat scratches, but please don't resort to de-clawing. It is extremely unkind to your animal, and is already forbidden in most European countries. De-clawed cats cannot defend themselves and the operation is painful.