Have you ever found yourself wondering what makes our feline friends tick? Do you ever feel that a cat has a mind of its own or rules the house? Cats, unlike the dog, do not think of themselves as people, but instead, think of themselves as Big Cats. Remember, they come from the family of meat-eating animals that include the tigers, lions, leopards, and panthers.
However, contrary to popular belief, they are social pets that can respond to human speech and enjoy human companionship. The early interactions we have with our kittens can dictate the personality traits they will exhibit later in life. We are very fortunate as feline providers to have them grace the halls and rooms of our house.
One thing all cats have in common: They’re born with the innate need to scratch.
Why do cats scratch?
Cats are hardwired to scratch. It’s a way for them to communicate with one another visually and via scent. Scratching helps to remove the dead outer layer of a cat’s claws, it helps them to mark their territory by leaving a visual mark and a scent, and it gives them the opportunity to stretch their bodies.
How do you change a cat’s scratching behavior?
Scratching is a natural, instinctive behavior for cats. Rather than discouraging your cat from scratching completely, you should encourage your cat to scratch appropriate objects, like scratching posts. But how do you encourage appropriate scratching?
- First, observe your cat to determine what he prefers to scratch, when he scratches the most, and how he scratches. Most cats prefer textured or course surfaces. Some cats scratch when they’re excited, or when they wake up, or when they’re trying to mark their territory. Some cats like to stand up against a vertical surface (like a couch), while others prefer being horizontal with their butts in the air while they stretch and scratch a low surface (like an area rug).
- Once you’ve identified your cat’s scratching preferences, it’s time to offer an attractive alternative scratching option. An ideal scratching post will be about 3 feet tall and sturdy—something that won’t topple over when he uses it. Many cats like sisal textile on the surface of the scratching post.
To get your cat to begin using the post, initially put the post where your cat prefers to scratch and reward him with praise and/or treats when he uses the post.
There are products that can be rubbed or sprayed onto the post to encourage your cat to use it, including catnip. A new product, called Feliscratch, is a pheromone spray that also includes catnip and a blue-colored dye. The dye, pheromone, and catnip combination makes it look and smell like a cat has already scratched on the post, and makes it a desirable spot for your cat to scratch.
Contact our office if you have questions or concerns about your cat’s scratching behaviors. To learn more about the services we offer for cats and kittens, click here.