DESTRUCTIVE SCRATCHING - WHY DO CATS SCRATCH?
Although some people think a cat's scratching behavior is a reflection
of his distaste for a couch's upholstery, a not-so-subtle hint to open
the drapes, or a poorly conceived Zorro impersonation, the fact is that
cats scratch objects in their environment for many perfectly normal
reasons.
For instance, cats scratch:
To remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
To mark their territory by leaving both a visual mark and a scentﾃ｢ぎ掖hey
have scent glands on their paws.
To stretch their bodies and flex their feet and claws.
To work off energy. Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one
that cats are highly motivated to display, it's unrealistic to try to
prevent them from scratching.
Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems is to redirect the
scratching onto acceptable objects. Training Your Cat to Scratch
Acceptable Objects You must provide objects for scratching that are
appealing, attractive, and convenient from your cat's point of view.
Start by observing the physical features of the objects your cat is
scratching.
The answers to the following questions will help you understand your
cat's scratching preferences:
Where are they located? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping
areas, and objects near the entrance to a room are often chosen.
What texture do they haveﾃ｢ぎ拌re they soft or coarse?
What shape do they haveﾃ｢ぎ拌re they horizontal or vertical?
How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
Now, considering your cat's demonstrated preferences, substitute similar
objects for her to scratch (rope-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard, or
even a log).
Place the acceptable object(s) near the inappropriate object(s) that
she's already using. Make sure the objects are stable and won't fall
over or move around when she uses them. Cover the inappropriate objects
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 objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls
containing perfume, a muscle rub, or other safe yet unpleasant
substance. Be careful with odors, though, because you don't want the
nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant. When your cat is
consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved very
gradually (no more than three inches each day) to a location more
suitable to you.
It's best, however, 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 inappropriate objects until
your cat is consistently using the appropriate objects in their
permanent locations for several weeks, or even a month. They should then
be removed 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 provided her with acceptable
scratching objects. Punishment after the fact won't change the behavior,
may cause her to be afraid of you or the environment, and may elicit
defensive aggression. Used by itself, punishment won't resolve
scratching problems because it doesn't teach your cat where to scratch
instead.
If you do catch your cat in the act of scratching inappropriate objects,
punish her in a way that prevents her from associating the punishment
with you. Try making a loud noise (using a whistle, shaking a soda can
filled with rocks, or slapping the wall) or using a water-filled squirt
bottle.
If you use other, more interactive techniques, she'll learn to refrain
from scratching in your presence but will continue to scratch when
you're not around.
How Do I Trim My Cat's Claws?
To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted until they're
needed. As the claws grow too long and become curved, they can't be
retracted completely. You should clip off the sharp tips of your cat's
claws on her front feet every two weeks or so. Clipping your cat's claws
will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets and
fabrics, not to mention your skin!
Before trimming your cat's claws, help her get accustomed to having her
paws handled and squeezed. You can do this by gently petting her legs
and paws while giving her a treat. This will help to make it a more
pleasant experience. Gradually increase the pressure so that petting
becomes gentle squeezing, as you'll need to do this to extend the claw.
Continue with the treats until your cat tolerates this kind of touching
and restraint. It may take a little longer if she's not used to having
her legs or paws handled. Apply a small amount of pressure to her pawﾃ｢ぎ掫ith
your thumb on top of her paw and your index finger underneathﾃ｢ぎ掎ntil a
claw is extended.
You should be able to see the pink or "quick," which is a small blood
vessel. Don't cut into this pink portion, as it will bleed and be
painful for your cat. If you cut off just the sharp tip of the claw, the
"hook," it will dull the claw and prevent extensive damage to household
objects and to your skin.
There are several types of claw trimmers designed especially for pets.
These are better than your own nail clipper because they won't crush the
claw. Until you and your cat have become accustomed to the routine, one
claw or foot a day is enough of a challenge. Don't push to do all of
them at once, or you'll both have only negative memories of claw
clippers!
Should I Declaw My Cat?
Declawing is a procedure whereby a veterinarian amputates the end digit
and claw of a cat's pawsﾃ｢ぎ捏imilar in scope to cutting off a person's
finger at the last joint. The Warren Billhartz Animal Shelter opposes
declawing when done solely for the convenience of the owner. Scratching
is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items.
There is just as much evidence to support the case against declawing as
there is research to refute it, with some studies finding few or only
short-term adverse reactions to the surgery and others finding medical
complications and significant differences in behavior. Declawing is
almost never medically or behaviorally necessary, and should never be
considered routine or done preemptively.
The success of campaigns for spaying and neutering may have
inadvertently normalized the idea of routine surgical intervention to
reshape cat behavior. This idea is reinforced by the linkage between the
two practices in small-animal veterinary practices, where declaw and
spay/neuter packages are routine. Kittens begin to retract their claws
at 28-days-old and begin to scratch at 35-days-old.
Thus, 8-week-old kittens are just beginning to scratch when they are
adopted into new homes and can be introduced immediately to scratching
posts and other acceptable objects to satisfy their need to scratch.
Where Can I Find an Effective Scratching Post?
Several companies manufacture scratching posts and other products
that appeal to cats. Some companies and organizations have developed
similar plans for do-it-yourselfers. Here's a sampling of some of the
products that are out there:
Felix Katnip
Tree Company 206-547-0042,
Homemade Cat Ladder
How to Build a Scratching Post
Sticky Paws 1-888-697-2873
Soft Paws 1-800-989-2542 Adapted from material originally
developed by applied animal behaviorists at the Dumb Friends League,
Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved.
If you have questions or need our services, please contact the shelter
at
618.346.5213 or contact us today via
e-mail
Copyrights 2009 WARREN BILLHARTZ ANIMAL SHELTER OF
COLLINSVILLE. A KTLLC Communications Solution