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Feline Scratching Behavior
This web page is all about cat scratching and what you can do about it. Cat scratching behavior is normal and necessary. Cats do it for a variety of reasons. We should not completely suppress it!
But that does not mean your kitty has to scratch and ruin your furniture! There are lots of ways to train your cat to scratch in appropriate areas. Declawing surgery is always a possiblity but not all cats need this. Training your cat to use scratching posts, nail trimming, and soft paws are additional options.
FAB Scratching or clawing in the house
FAB Scratching in the house
DDFL Cats: Destructive Scratching
Inappropriate Scratching in Cats-UC Davis Vet School Handout
Feliway Pheromone Therapy is a great way to train your cat to not scratch on certain areas. Spray six depressions of Feliway to the undesirable area that your cat is scratching once a day. Apply for at least ONE MONTH and do not stop until the cat marks with his or her own facial pheromones (is seen to rub the site with his or her head). Most importantly provide an alternative scratching post nearby. Feliway is available at Deer Run, just ask us!
Cornell's Managing Feline Destructive Scratching Video Watch this informative video to understand why cats scratch. Learn how to choose the right type of scratching post, and how to teach cats to appropriately use scratching posts.
Cornell's Handout On Selecting A Scratching Post This resource will provide you with a quick overview of the pros and cons of different styles of scraching posts.
How to Manage Scratching Behavior in Cats an in-depth article on the subject written by Board Certified Veterinary Behavior Specialist, Dr. Debra Horowitz.
Training Your Cat Not to Scratch on Furniture link to Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Sophia Yin's Blog and website for a great video and tips on preventing scratching.
DDFL Aversives For Cats An aversive is something such as a texture, taste, or smell that your cat finds unpleasant. It can be used to discourage your cat from a particular action or place. Aversives work best when you also offer a more pleasant alternative.
Sticky Paws are specially formulated to have just the right amount of tactile feel cats can't stand. Conserve and protect your furnishings with a true original. Manufactured from inert and non-toxic materials, Sticky Paws!® controls cat scratching behavior humanely. Transparent, medical-grade adhesive strips apply directly to furnishings and are harmless to cats and furniture when used as directed.
ScatMat Products from PetSafe offer more options for deterrents to keep cats from scratching. They have a motion detector spray as well as the ScatMats that safely send a 3 second static charge signal to teach both cats and dogs to stay off and away from designated areas.
StayAway is a automatic motion detector deterrent product that uses a startling noise and/or a puff of condensed air to help train your cat to stay away from an object, furniture, or counter tops.
How to Trim Your Cat's Nails Video from the Veterinary Health Network
Cornell Video on trimming cat claws From Cornell Universitiy's Feline Health Center a how to video on how to trim your cat's claws at home.
How to Trim Cat Claws a step by step pictorial on how to safely keep your kitten's or cat's nails trimmed. From the Washington State Univeristy Vet School's common procedures website.
Article and Video on How to Trim Nails from the Soft Paws Website
Soft Paws Nail Caps for Cats are a great alternative to declawing. They do require periodic re-application and nail trimming.
All about Declawing and Its Alternatives
Cat Scratch Fever Click to learn if you are at risk. Learn the importance of flea prevention to help prevent this disease.
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