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Cat Scratching

Cat scratching is a natural behavior for cats and due to that, you can’t get kitty to stop scratching by shouting,

squirting water, chasing, throwing things etc. Cats need to scratch for several reasons.

So the goal is learning that were not going to stop them from scratching so we have to look at providing things for

them to scratch that are acceptable to all. It’s a simple matter of redirecting the behavior to an appropriate

place.

Many consider having their cat declawed to solve the problem.

Declawing should be the very last option. It’s important to know that declawing is a serious surgical procedure. It

involves amputating all ten of the frontal tendons and nerves to remove the claws. It is a potentially crippling

surgery that deprives a cat of the means of self-defense. As with any surgery there is the possibility for

complications.

Declawing robs a cat of an integral means of movement and defense. Because they cannot defend themselves adequately

against attacks by other animals, declawed cats who are allowed outdoors may be at increased risk of injury or

death. Declawing is a painful operation. It involves the surgical removal of the entire last digit of each toe or

amputation comparable to the removal of human fingertips to the first knuckle.

Another option is nail covers. These are like artificial cat nails, which can be applied by you or by your vet’s

office. The covers come in many different styles and are applied by a thin layer of special glue to the claw.

Also some people cover their furniture with something your cat does not like: double sided tape, some plastic or

aluminum foil. Some cats dislike the feeling and sound of foil, and most cats have a strong dislike for things that

stick to their fur. If you do something like that then it kind of defeats the purpose for having furniture. I don’t

particularly want to sit on aluminum foil for double sided tape myself.

Scratching posts are what most people use and sometimes rubbing a little catnip on it will be just the ticket to

get your kitty to start using it instead of your furniture.

It’s also important to keep your cats nails trimmed. Ask your vet to show you how so you don’t cut them to far back

and hurt your little friend. The vet can also supply you with decent clippers or most any pet supply store will

have good quality clippers for you to use.

As always it comes down to being a responsible pet owner and if you’ll take the time to learn how to work with and

train your cat you’ll save a lot of pain and aggravation for both of you.

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