What‘s with the scratching and what to do about it?
Scratching is a natural process for our feline friends. They do so for several reasons – to loosen and remove the outer husk of the claw, to exercise the muscles for hunting, to mark or communicate their territory, and sometimes as an invitation to play. For this type of scratching, cats tend to favour one or two places in the home and we all know that a scratching post is not always our pets’ first choice when it comes to this activity. It’s instinctive Cat behaviour and shouldn’t be discouraged. Having said that, it is important to recognise it when our little panther’s activities are anxiety-related. Observing when, where, and how often the Cat scratches will help you figure out the possible cause. If there is an excessive number of places where scratching occurs, look at the variety of factors within the household and general environment for clues that might be causing your purr friend’s anxiety.
Not the sofa!
Any true cat lover knows that Cats are very much like people – each with its character and preferences. That also applies to the surfaces they enjoy getting their claws into – while some Kitties prefer one type of surface, others will be drawn to something different. Generally though, Cats like surfaces that don’t easily yield to the force exerted during the scratching process. In terms of texture, Cats enjoy softwoods such as pine, fabrics, textured wallpaper, and carpet. If you’re not sure, ask your Panther – notice where it likes to scratch and you will have a good idea of its preferred location and texture.
A scratching post will keep your belongings unscratched
For most purr comfort during scratching, the post needs to be tall and wide enough for the Cat be able to fully extend its body while standing on hind legs, and sturdy so that it does not tip over when scratched. To make sure you get the scratching post that will appeal to your Cat, pay attention to the type of material and firmness it prefers. Some Cats prefer sisal, others like cotton (katmanu modular system lets you to try both) or even bare wood. Some will favour tightly woven material while others will want to hook their claws into loose fabrics. And since scratching also serves as marking behaviour, Cats won’t mind leaving a visual mark.
Location location location
If you can’t get your Cat interested enough in the post, there are a few simple things you could try. First things first – any new scratching post should be placed close to where your Cat already likes to scratch, for example, in your Puss’ favourite room near a window or a radiator. It is also worth reminding ourselves that it’s not about what’s convenient for us – the scratching post should be placed in the area frequently visited by the Cat. One such place might be near the Cat’s bed as our purr friends tend to enjoy scratching when they wake up from their naps.
What if the scratching post still doesn’t get your cat’s attention?
There are a few other tricks you can try when the Cat is not showing as much interest in the post as you would like it to. Try placing some toys, catnip treats, cardboard boxes, and even its food bowl in the area, or rub the post with some tuna oil. You could also play with your Cat using a fishing rod-like toy around the area to encourage a connection between the claws and the scratching surface. Food rewards when you notice the Cat scratching at the post might also do the trick. And if none of the above works, you could consider placing additional scratching posts in strategic areas.
What not to do
- Don’t show the Cat what to do by grasping its paws and guiding them through the scratching surface. Sometimes well-wishing Cat owners try to do a little demonstration of what they expect their Kitty to do. It is more likely to discourage or even distress your Puss ensuring that it doesn’t go anywhere near the new scratching post. Cats know what to do. If they don’t do it, we need to figure out another way to entice them.
- Don’t punish. If your Cat is scratching in places it shouldn’t, remember that your purr friend is probably not doing this to be naughty. If they get punished for their natural claw maintenance behaviour, the Cat will just be confused. If your Cat’s scratching is excessive, it might be related to anxiety or insecurity, in which case punishment will add to its distress and could make the situation worse.
- Do not get rid of an old and unsightly scratching post if it’s your pet friend’s favourite. Cats like worn and torn objects because these are particularly great to get their claws into the material and because their look and smell are familiar.