You have a cat, and you love your cat, but you might not love all the things that come with it, like your cat’s need to scratch up your sofa, rugs, bed spread…..
First, it’s important to understand that scratching is a completely normal and healthy behavior that most cats engage in, and it serves many purposes. Cats scratch to “mark” their territory by leaving behind visual markers as well as scent markers from small glands in the pads of their feet. Cats also like to dig their claws into something to get a nice, full-body stretch, especially after a long nap. Additionally, cats scratch to keep their nails in good shape and to help shed their claw sheaths.
Perhaps you’re considering declawing your cat to eliminate the problem. But before you do, know what it is you’re doing and how it will affect your furry friend’s well being.
What is Declawing?
Declawing is a serious surgery where a cat’s toe bones and claws are amputated. Despite its name, declawing isn’t just the removal of a cat’s claws. If the same procedure was performed on a human, his finger would be amputated at the last knuckle.
Many cat owners are unaware of the risks of declawing and the pain that cats suffer. Governments have an obligation to protect consumers and animal welfare by making declawing illegal except when medically necessary.
What are the long-term physical and behavioral impacts of declawing?
- Chronic pain, lameness, bone spurs, necrosis, and nerve damage
- Aversion to using the litterbox (due to the cat’s pain in their paws)
- Increased biting (in compensation for the loss of claws)
Does declawing keep cats out of shelters?
No. There are no studies finding that declawing keeps cats out of shelters. Furthermore, it’s common for cats to be surrendered due to the behavioral problems caused by declawing.
Which municipalities or countries have declawing bans?
- Declawing is illegal in most European countries, as well as Israel.
- In the United States, there are currently only two states in the country where it is illegal to declaw a cat. The first state to ban this practice was New York. New York passed a comprehensive ban on this procedure in 2019. The second state was Maryland, which passed a similar ban in 2022.
- Rhode Island currently has a bill to outlaw declawing cats moving through the state legislature. Oregon allows declawing only under certain conditions.
- There are also eight cities within California that have made declawing cats illegal, even though the practice is legal within the state itself, including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Burbank, Culver City, Berkley and San Francisco.
Okay, so you won’t declaw, but you still have the destroyed furniture. What to do? Well, here are some alternatives that may help alleviate your cat scratch fever, from American Humane and the Humane Society of the United States:
Reduce the Need to Scratch
Since one of the reasons your cat scratches is to groom his nails, you can perform regular nail trims to keep your cat from needing to scratch. Give a feline manicure yourself or consult your veterinarian for assistance!
Provide your cat with something to scratch that, from their point of view, is more desirable than your couch or the legs of your dining room table.
According to the HSUS, cats prefer to scratch tall, sturdy objects that allow them to dig their nails in and get a good grip. That’s why cats tend to scratch furniture. Most cats prefer (even more than furniture!) a scratching post that is at least 32” tall, will not wobble when scratched, and made of a type of rope called sisal. Some cats prefer to scratch horizontally, in which case you can either place the vertical scratching post on its side or find a sturdy sisal-covered horizontal scratcher. Some cats like scratching corrugated cardboard as well. Another ideal scratching surface is wood, so if you are handy you can create your own scratching post or pad. Just make sure it’s tall or long enough and sturdy.
Give Your Cat An Alternative
Scratching posts and kitty furniture can be purchased at pet supply stores or can be easily constructed from twine, rope or carpet remnants. Be creative — cats like to climb, lounge and perch up high. Choose something your cat will enjoy and place it out in the open. Cats prefer to scratch in high-traffic areas, rather than in secluded, hard-to-find places.
Your cat has already told you where she wants to scratch. So, try placing the post right in front of where your kitty is scratching. If your cat enjoys scratching the couch, place the scratching post next to the couch. If your cat enjoys scratching the wall by your front door when you come home, place the scratching post near your front door. Location matters! You may want to make the new object more inviting by rubbing some catnip on it. Once the cat begins scratching on the post, try moving it one foot per day toward a more desirable location. Be sure to choose a location your cat will like.
How to Introduce Your Cat to the Scratching Post
You know that you have the best scratching surface for your cat, but your cat doesn’t know that yet. The easiest way to introduce your cat to the post is to play with them around the post; for example, using a fishing rod toy or laser light, so that in the midst of play they will interact with the post. You can also rub catnip on the post for the first several days, which will typically lead the cat to investigate it. It is very important that you do not carry your cat to the scratching surface and rub their paws on the surface. This may seem harmless, but this can create a stress response in some cats and lead them to avoid the scratching post or pad.
Temporarily Make the Objects your Cat Previously Liked to Scratch Less Desirable
At this point, you’ve set your cat up for success in scratching the new post or pad. However, they haven’t yet realized how much better the new scratching post is than the furniture. While they figure this out, it’s best to deter the cat from scratching the object(s) you don’t want them to scratch.
For furniture, the easiest and most effective solution is to cover it with a tight-fitting sheet. This sheet will not be nearly as desirable to scratch as the sisal-covered post. For smaller surfaces you can utilize double-sided sticky tape or any other item that will make the object’s surface sticky, smooth or slick. Your cat will not enjoy trying to dig their claws into any of these surfaces. Once your cat is consistently using the scratching post/pad, you can remove the covering from the previously scratched objects.
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Photo Credit: Tatiana Osipova / Shutterstock.com