Scratching is a very natural behaviour for cats and is essential for their well-being. In the wild cats scratch, creating small gouges in a material, and scent mark their territories, via their inter-digital glands, to let other cats know that they have been there; this behaviour is displayed in the domestic cat through scratching [a visual sign] and scent marking [an olfactory sign] its own territory in the home.
Scratching may become a problem when a natural behaviour is being carried out in inappropriate places and needs to be re-directed or where there are environmental issues e.g. the cat is bored or stressed.
Normal behaviour: the cat will choose one or two distinct places to scratch. Scratching and clawing also enable the cat to exercise by stretching out – unkinking their shoulders and back muscles - and to extend and retract their claws, removing the outer nail sheaths. To re-direct this completely natural behaviour you can do a number of things, including:
Ensuring that there are an adequate number of scratching posts for each member of the household and that they are placed in the area[s] where the household cat[s] spend most of their time;
Ensuring that the scratching posts are tall and sturdy enough for a cat to fully extend out so they can fully exercise their clawing apparatus and stretch out their whole bodies fully;
Offering the cat a range of different scratching posts to suit/meet their needs if necessary e.g. one made from cardboard; one securely fastened log and one made from sisal;
Placing the scratching post[s] next to the currently affected areas and covering the affected area [with double-sided sticky tape on affected furniture as cats do not like the feel of it on their paws or a sheet if the affected area is large] so the scratching post becomes a more attractive option;
Spraying the scratching post[s] with catnip to encourage use;
Gradually moving the scratching post to a more suitable location over time as the cat begins to use it in preference over the sofa/carpet/wallpaper or other inappropriate item of furniture and
Praising and rewarding the cat whenever they use the scratching post to claw to reinforce wanted behaviours.
Environmental Influences: Scratching, like scent marking via urine spraying, can also be seen in under confident cats who are trying to booster their own ego by surrounding themselves with their own familiar scent. In this instance the cat will usually scratch throughout the house but especially in areas where there tend to be conflicting scents e.g. doorways and windows.
As such the problem can be addressed in the same way as urine spraying. That is the area can be cleaned using an enzymatic spray; not allowing the cat access to the room until the spray has worked to prevent reoccurrence and using a feline pheromone analogue e.g. Feliway, as a general solution.
You can then address the issue by making your cat feel more secure, some examples include:
using up the cat’s time and energy budget with extra playtimes to prevent them becoming stressed;
ensuring that each cat in a multi-cat household has access to their own scratching post(s) without having to cross territories;
covering the lower section of glass doors and windows, with for example cardboard or opaque plastic film, so the cat cannot see strange cats if the problem is an intruder looking in the window;
getting a microchip catflap if the intruder is coming in the house or chasing your cat to the door and following them in.
Another environmental reason for destructive behaviour is boredom - especially if they are home alone a lot. This is more common in indoor cats who do not have enough environmental stimuli and can consequently become bored, depressed, stressed and destructive very quickly. [Where boredom is extreme, and there is no medical issue, a cat may also urinate inappropriately, over or under groom, vocalise a lot, over or under eat or become aggressive.] There are a range of ways to prevent boredom, including:
Rotating the cat’s toys so they do not become tired of them;
Getting the cat some toys filled with catnip to stimulate their senses and calm them down when they are stressed;
Spraying catnip on scratching posts twice a week to stimulate their senses;
Ensuring the cat has a suitable and comfortable bed to sleep in – a bed placed in front of a window where the cat can lay/sit and watch the world even if they don’t go outside can provide great stimulation;
Placing a bird feeder outside, or in view of the window, will provide additional stimulation and viewing pleasure;
A cat tree or a bed the cat can easily reach in a high up position to observe the world safely will also enable them to express normal behaviour and prevent boredom and stress with stools and ramps provided for old, arthritic or very young cats so they can reach the window or high up bed.
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