Break Those Bad Habits

This article first appeared in the Ocicats of North America March 1996 newsletter.

Why is my cat doing this?
"Sharpening their claws or ridding themselves of the outer layer of old claw—is one reason cats claw. Even declawed cats will continue to go through the motions. There are scent glands in the paw pads, and this scent rubs off on the items they scratch. Once one has scratched an item, every other cat who comes within sniffing range will scratch it too, attempting to replace the strange scent with its own. A cat may also get some mild exercise by stretching out and vigorously clawing the couch.

"How can I make her stop?
A proper scratching post and gentle redirection of its energy is a good start. Get a post that is tall enough for your cat to stretch its full length and sturdy enough that it will not fall over when it uses it. Rope or sisal offers a good, firm surface on which your cat can work.

"What to say and do."
If the sofa fabric is not too delicate, use a commercial cat repellent or rub lemon or orange peel on the surface you don't want the cat to scratch. Test any product in a small spot on the back side that is not readily visible. Cover the scratching site with heavy plastic until your cat begins using its official post. Gently rub your cat's paws on the post to impregnate it with its scent. Its scent will encourage future use. If your cat approaches the sofa again to scratch, admonish it,-"No, no, [use the cat's name] that's not the place to scratch." Then place it next to the post and redirect its scratching energy there. If it persists on directing its aggressions on the sofa, inflate several balloons, tape them to the spot it scratches. When it accidentally pops one or two, it will discourage the cat from scratching there again. Also saying, 'No, (use the cat's name). Don't scratch the couch!'

"Why this works"
Cats need to scratch almost as much as they need to breathe. Most prefer a good post to the furniture and with gentle redirection your cat will easily switch from one to the other."

WARNING - Older or inactive cats that lay or sleep many hours curled up with paws tucked under, may develop a serious painful nail problem. Don’t rely on the cat to be using the scratching post for his manicure, he may not be. Check the claws frequently as they can curl under and grow into the paw.

If this happens, have someone hold the cat while you clip the nail. If it has grown into the paw, soak the paw in warm water and remove the piece with a pair of tweezers. If it is infected, clean the area well with hydrogen peroxide. In case of serious infection, antibiotics will probably be needed.