So you have a cat that scratches the furniture, drapes, tablecloths, etc… That is not a reason to harm your cat, lose your temper, wrack your nerves, etc. It is also not a reason to release the cat to rescue. Or dump it elsewhere such as a pound or in the streets. You CAN alter your existing cat’s behavior.
You do not need to seek the alternative so many opt for which is to declaw. To declaw a cat is to amputate their first knuckle. Imagine how you would feel without a first knuckle on any finger on both hands!!! Many people are of the mind set that to declaw implies to surgically remove the claw or nail. That is not so. Have you ever broken a nail? What happens? It grows back. Hence the amputation of the entire joint.
A few other reasons not to declaw are:
1) The procedure is irreversible
2) It can lead to secondary contracture of the tendons (admittedly rare, but still in occurrence)
3) It can create an imbalance in your cat— and cats are all about balance. You’ve seen her perch in precarious positions and make lengthy leaps. Cats are graceful with their balance.
4) Front claws are a cat’s primary defense. Take that away and more behavioral problems come to be. They can become overly anxious towards others cats, aggressive, defensive, fearful.
5) Being without front claws can make a cat become insecure (yes -they can be insecure). Ways of showing their stress to you may be inappropriate urination on your favorite rug or comforter.
6) Sometimes cats feel pain when urinating in the litter box therein they associate pain with the litter box and stop going there. Have a plastic back rug in your bathroom. Lift it up; you’ll probably notice urine stains if you have been wondering where the odor was coming from. Cats do not like to feel pain. Neither do we. Inappropriate urinating habits can be difficult to break.
Okay, so if not declaw what then? Rule number one-educate yourself. Knowledge is valuable as well as empowering. It is natural for cats to scratch.
1) Scratching is a territorial instinct. It is a way of marking their territory and establishing dominance.
2) Cats leave behind more than just ruined furniture, rugs, carpets, drapes, etc… Their paws have scent glands that leave behind their own unique scent. See, they are helping you decorate the home, not trying to destroy it. They want to place their own personal touch as you like to place yours.
3) Scratching is a form of exercise for your kitty. All kitties need exercise.
4) Its fun to scratch.
Okay you have some knowledge now what? Provide your cat with appropriate scratching posts. I know they can be pricey, but there is no need to go the high end route. Small plastic cones covered in carpet are wonderful for cats to use. They cost about fifteen dollars at local pet stores. Still want something constructed from wood? Go to your local home supply store such as Lowe’s or The Home Depot. But first measure the length from floor to ceiling in a corner of your home. Have a piece of landscaping lumber cut to fit. It’s thick but not bulky or intrusive. Purchase around four to five bags of untreated natural sisal rope. Although tedious, it is fairly easy to make your own scratching post. Begin wrapping the rope around the lumber, every fourth wrap, and push down on the rope to tighten it in place. Wear gloves as the rope is torture to nails. Continue this procedure until you reach the top. Staple any leftover rope to secure on place. L bracket it to your ceiling and you have your own inexpensive scratching post. (Ours has lasted over ten years now-and we only just replaced the rope this past Thanksgiving.) We even added a shelf to the top allowing them a perch for sleeping and watching.
Now you have your cat scratching post… Now what? Every time you see your cat scratching where you do not want her to be scratching, pick her up, tell her “no” and show her the sisal scratching post. Some people believe that you can show her how to scratch by placing your fingers up and down along the post. I find this to be rather futile, as cats know how to scratch. Look at your furniture!!! You just need to be vigilant in placing her in front of the designated post. If your cat is still flipping her tail at you so to speak and scratching on your sofa, place an inexpensive piece of board covered in sisal in front it wear she scratches. Covering the area with aluminum foil or double sides tape also works as a deterrent. Coat the new post with cat nip, either spray or flakes, to entice your cat to her new toy. Place toys around the bottom of it.
To remove the scent she has already marked, there are pet odor removers. Cats have an aversion to citrus smells. Spray that on your scratched sofa, drapes, rugs, etc…
Trim your cat’s nails. Oh- the pet market has saturated the market with fancy nail clippers. We use a human toe nail clipper and it works wonderfully. Place your cat in the crook of your elbow paws facing out. Starting with the front claws, gently squeeze your finger and thumb together on each of her joints. This will pop out her nail. Gently place the nail in between the clipper blades and cut. Make sure not to go too far down, only cut the tip. Otherwise the potential to cut the quick increases exponentially. This in turn causes bleeding and pain in addition to the mistrust you will have earned from your kitty. What the most desired outcome is to simply blunt the claw tip. Barely cut it. Your cat may squirm, but remember. Tough Love!!!!! And they soon learn to tolerate it as you can trim a cat’s nails in less than two minutes.
Start slow. Don’t scoop her up and trim her nails if you never have before. Begin picking her up and petting her paws. Get her used to being combed or brushed around her paws.
Still feeling nervous? Ask your vet to show you how or at the shelter or rescue from where you ADOPTED your kitty.
Still uncertain? Try Soft Paws. I, myself, have not used them with my personal cats or any of our rescues, but other rescues believe in this product. SOFT Paws are vinyl caps placed over your kitty’s paws. They are lightweight with rounded edges so no harm comes from scratching. They come in a kit which typically lasts for three – six months. Most soft paws last up to six weeks. They are glued to your cat’s claw and though uncomfortable and new at first, cats’ become adjusted quickly and forget they are even there. For more info on Soft Paws, go to www.softpaws.com.
Now you are armed with information, and alternatives. Go out and buy that new furniture. We did.
