Cats can be ill-tempered and mean on their
worst days, but even the most annoying problems have a remedy somewhere. If
your cat is clawing your furniture, your carpet, and your legs with the same
ferocity, understanding the how and why behind the behavior can help you
redirect your feline friend’s clawing instinct to be expressed in less
destructive ways.
So why IS your cat clawing everything in sight?
Here’s the jaw-dropper: a cat’s claws never stop
growing. Let me repeat that: They NEVER stop growing. When I found that out, a
big light went off in my head. Just like a pet hamster that constantly needs to
knaw on wood to keep their teeth from growing too long, what cats are actually
doing when they sharpen their claws is removing the outermost layer of their
claws. O.K. Kitty Cat, we finally get it!
So what to do? What to do?
The first thought bubble that forms is to scoop
kitty up for a little declawing action at the nearest vet’s office. But before
you take such a drastic step, keep in mind that once those claws are gone,
they’re GONE. Take away those claws, and you’re taking away your pet’s primary
form of defense. Even if you have an indoor cat like I do, chances are, sooner
or later, a window of opportunity is going to open up just long enough for your
cat to slip outside and be vulnerable to attacks from other animals and people.
O.K. So now you know why your cat is actually
using you as a scratching post. Let’s move away from the word “using”. In a
way, it’s kind of flattering. That doesn’t make it hurt any less. Let’s get
your cat to branch out. It’s time to get a REAL scratching post so that your
pet can get into the habit of using it instead of YOU, whenever those claw
sharpening impulses may strike.
So how do we get kitty to break her bad habits
and start to use the proper place where she can scratch to her heart’s content?
The answer lies in you.
That is of course IF you are your cat’s favorite the person in the family.
If so, then try hanging an article of clothing
that belongs to you on your virgin scratching post. The idea is to make the
area smell familiar. A day or two should be enough for your cat to become
accustomed to its’ new scratching outlet.
Don’t want to part with something from your
wardrobe? Time to get a little sneakier then. Catnip can be your secret weapon.
Sprinkle catnip over the scratching post and watch what happens. This one may
be even worth breaking out the video camera for.
This next option sounds a little weird, but believe me, it WORKS!
Try sprinkling the post area with powdered
chicken bouillon. The idea is to get the cat to feel friendly enough toward the
scratching post to attack it.
While your cat is making the transition to a
designated area for scratching, there are several ways to make your cat’s
favorite scratching areas a lot less attractive. This will help ease the
transition from the old spots to the new.
Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over them. Cover or
wrap the areas in aluminum foil. Remember what it felt like when your
fingernails went down the chalkboard? Ever try it again? Cats will experience
the same thing and be deterred from using the areas. Finally, clean the areas
well to eradicate any cat odor. This will go a long way toward removing the
aura of familiarity that creates the habit of using the space. Also, just keep
the doors closed to make those places inaccessible to the cat.
Now that you know more about the how and why of
your cat’s clawing instinct and behavior, take these simple steps and you’ll
soon see a resolution to the cat clawing issues in your household. With a
little time and patience, your cat’s claw sharpening activities should be
limited to its’favorite spot: the scratching post!
