19 Oct Solutions for Cat Scratching
Oftentimes, new cat owners have trouble managing their feline friend’s scratching habits. And a cat that scratches without any restraints can tear up a house pretty quickly. Below we’ve laid out a few tips on how to control scratching in your home.
1) Purchase at least one scratching post – Providing your cat with a scratching post will give him or her an alternative scratching surface. A scratching post should be made of rough material and tall enough for your cat to claw at while standing on his or her hind legs. It should also be sturdy and able to withstand any pressure your cat may put on it.
2) Find out what your cat likes – All cats have different preferences when it comes to scratching posts. You may need to try more than one material to find out what your cat enjoys. Think about your cat’s favorite scratching spot on your furniture and try to find a material similar to it.
3) Cover favorite scratching spots – If your cat has a specific spot that he or she likes to scratch, cover it for a while with tape or some other material. Then encourage your cat to use the scratching post instead. Try placing the scratching post near the other spot so that when your cat realizes one area is off-limits, he or she can turn to the appropriate scratching material.
4) Catching your cat in the act – As a last resort, you can also try clapping loudly or squirting your cat with water whenever you see him or her clawing a piece of furniture. Try not to do this too often, however, as it can damage your relationship with your cat and may teach him or her to only avoid scratching furniture when you’re in the room.
Most importantly, we encourage you not to declaw your cat. Declawed cats tend to have more behavioral issues as well as trouble balancing and staying in shape. Moreover, the declawing procedure is extremely painful and is actually illegal in certain European countries and Australia.
If you’re worried about cat odors in your home, contact Steamer’s Carpet Care today and set up an appointment with our San Antonio pet odor removal specialists.