You must get annoyed at your cat scratching the legs of your expensive furniture and no matter how much dismay you express, there is nothing that can stop it. But there’s a solution for everything and there’s a solution for this too! To find solutions, the first step is to figure out the reason why your cat acts this way.
Cats are very possessive about their territory in their natural environment as well as their home in case of domestic cats and thus, if they fear the presence of another one of their species, they will scratch on a tree or your favourite table to send the message that the territory is taken. Now the scratches send the message in ways: visial and olfactory. The message is delivered when the other cat sees the marks and is known as visual. The cats while scratching release certain pheromones from their superficial glands in the skin of the paw. Other cats who see the scratches also smell these pheromones and get the cue that this place is taken.
However, scratching doesn’t necessarily only relate to the above. It also helps your cat to exercise and flex the muscles and tendons of its paws. It also aids in removing old nail husks.
The Domestic Picture
Domestic cats have a tendency to leave markings most preferably on the furniture at home to that they leave a clear message to any cat that trespasses. Although there is a solution for it which is a declawing surgery, it is greatly discouraged on humanitarian grounds. Some veterinarian, however, still perform it saying it is totally harmless.
The declawing surgery involves the removal of the nail along with the nail bed and sometimes even a part or all of the finger bone. It is extremely painful with the pain normally lasting for around 24 to 36 hours after the surgery. The gait of the cat during this time will reflect the pain that it feels. Sometimes, if there are complications in the surgery, the pain might last for a longer period of time. There are even instances where cats hobble for years to come but those are rare.
Once your cat has been de-clawed, you have to be careful of your cat’s litterbox usage. It is recommended that you put some torn newspapers in the litterbox so that the little particles don’t find their way to the wounds. The inclusion of newspaper might lead to a general dislike towards the litterbox and result in undesirable excretory instances.
There will also be a change in the behaviour of your cat. If you have an aggressive cat as your pet, then it might even bite its claws! Thus, it is preferred that you train your cat to use scratch posts and spare her the pain and the horror.
Other Options of Preventing Cats from Scratching Furniture (except for Declawing)
There are other alternatives to the declawing surgery mentioned above! These alternatives have been discussed below:
Scratching Posts:
When buying scratching posts for your cat, keep a few things in mind. Always buy an extra post (for example if you have 2 cats, then buy 3). Make sure that the post is tall enough that the cat can stretch easily to its complete length. Thus, the post must be no less than 3 feet at least. The post must also be stable so that when your cat tries to scratch, it doesn’t fall over or tilt. Always use material that can easily be scratched and leaves a mark since that is the objective! Cloth or other material that will not scratch is of no use. Burlap is an ideal material for the job!
When choosing a place to keep the scratch post, do not hide it. Initially keep it at a place where your cat mostly likes to scratch. Once its association with the scratch post has been developed, you can keep it in a place that is not that central but easily accessed by the cat.
Deterrents:
First in the line are physical deterrents such as heavy guage plastic sheets. You can cover the legs of your table or sofa or any other piece of furniture with these sheet when starting with the training. This will inculcate the idea that this furniture is not to be scratched.
Chemical deterrents come in all forms. You can use moth repellent aerosols containing naphthol or other sprays containing pheromones which will keep your cat away from the furniture.
Environmental Measures:
If you live in a place where your cat is frequently threatened by other cats or cat fights are a norm, you need to settle such insecurities that surround your cat and encourage it to pursue the habit of scratching.
Nail Covers:
The excellent innovation of plastic nail covers has to a greater extent solved the problem of scratching. These plastic nails can be glued to properly trimmed cat’s nails. In this way, your cat can scratch as much as it want with almost no damage to your furniture! These nail covers, however, need to be replaced monthly. You can save your time by gradually replacing only those nails that come off on their own.
Nail Trims:
If none of the above methods suit you, you can reduce risking your furniture by regularly getting your kitty’s nails trimmed. You can also learn how to trim your cat’s nails by a veterinarian. Make sure you use nail clipper especially made for cats and not the ones that are used by humans. When cutting your cat’s nails, square all the pointed edges and be careful that you do not cut the vascular and sensitive part of its nail.
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