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Scratching Beyond the Surface -
Understanding your cat’s need to scratch
will help you live happily with claws
By Sally E. Bahner
For many cat owners, redwood would be a good choice when selecting living room furniture. While we all bemoan that rip-rip of claws-on-fabric just as we’re dozing off at night, we can’t change the fact that nature intended cats to have claws.
The act of scratching serves a number of purposes for our cats — despite the fact that we often feel that the destruction of our sofa is their primary goal. Since scratching is such an integral part of cat behavior, it’s in our own best interest (and our furniture’s!) to help them channel that energy and to understand why they do it.
First, scratching serves as a feline pedicure. The action removes the outer sheath, leaving behind a freshly honed, conditioned claw. Second, in the wild as well as indoors, scratching serves as a kind of calling card, since scent glands are embedded in the paw pads. It’s one way for the cat to mark its territory.
Third, it feels good. Have you ever noticed the look of pleasure and concentration in a cat that’s really into its scratching post? It’s never too early to start teaching proper scratching manners.
If you’re starting from ... scratch ... with a kitten, provide sturdy scratchers with a variety of surfaces – sisal, carpet, cardboard, even sandpaper – angled, vertical, flat. They should be placed in various locations, especially in sleeping areas and areas where the kitty likes to hang out since cats like to stretch and scratch when they first awake. Investing in several good scratching posts costs less than a new sofa. A good tall scratcher with a couple of cubbies or shelves and placed by a window is also a good place to lounge and bird watch. And cardboard scratchers are inexpensive and come in different sizes. Sturdy is the operative word here. Nothing would deter a cat more from using a scratcher than having one fall over on her in mid-stretch.
Inside/outside cats have trees and other surfaces to use, so complaints about inappropriate scratching often come from people whose kitties live inside exclusively. A cat who has lived outside may be comfortable having a log to scratch on in making the transition to indoors.
Lace the surfaces liberally with catnip (few cats fail to respond to it) and lavish praise and a special treat when the kitty uses the scratchers.
Keeping your cat’s claws clipped is important, especially if she likes to knead to softer parts of your body. Early on, get the kitten used to having her paws handled. Some cats actually like a paw massage. While she may not enjoy having her claws clipped, she’ll understand that it’s part of her routine, especially when it’s topped off with a treat.
Do not encourage a kitten to use its claws for play; provide proper toys, including soft ones that she can really sink her claws into.
What shouldn’t you do if you catch your cat scratching the damask sofa? Punish, since the kitty will only scratch that surface when you’re not around to monitor her behavior. Yelling, rattling a can of pennies or using a squirt bottle may distract the cat momentarily, but she’ll probably move to a less conspicuous area and become more fearful of you.
If you catch her in the act, pick her up and bring her to the preferred location. And, if you really need to protect that Chippendale settee, consider isolating the cat when you’re not around to supervise.
Several products claim to deter scratching. Soft Paws nail caps come in four sizes and can be applied by a veterinarian or an adventurous owner. They must be replaced periodically as the claws grow out. Be warned, however, since there have been reports of cats with Soft Paws whose claws have gotten caught in lacy curtains. Sticky Paws™ is transparent adhesive strips applied directly to fabric and can also be used on counters, stereo speakers, draperies or carpets. A less expensive alternative is double-sided strapping tape. Be warned that the cat may seek other, more covert areas to apply her claws.
The bottom line is to realize that scratching is natural behavior. The more options you offer, the happier you and your cat will be.
To declaw or not a never-ending controversy
Karen L. Overall, M.A., V.M.D., Ph.D., Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists and ABS Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, speaks out against declawing, also known as onychectomy: "It is the removal of one of the joints of each of your fingers, and I always draw a ring around the client’s finger so that they understand what’s involved," she says. She adds that unlike the American Veterinary Medical Association, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and the Europeans and Australians ban the procedure. Only if the cat is at risk of being euthanized does she suggest tendonectomy, which leaves the claw, but severs the tendon attached to the end toe digit, or laser surgery, both of which have a faster recovery and less pain. She would insist that that pre- and post-medication analgesia, such as Fentanyl pain patches, be used.
Dr. Overall says, "People need to know that their cats can bleed to death or otherwise develop physical and behavioral problems. They need to shop around for the right surgeon to do this."
Regarding owners who insist on automatic neuter/declaw or declawing on demand, Dr. Overall wonders, "If they’re not able to meet this very basic need of their cats, what else will they not be willing to do?" But then, she adds the caveat, "If they don’t have an adversarial relationship with their cat, they might be more willing to provide these things." Studies in this area are needed, she concludes.
Sally Bahner is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and has a private feline consulting practice. She is the "Dear Sally" on Tracie Hotchner’s Cat Chat Radio (www.catchatradio.com), found on Sirius satellite radio, the Martha Stewart Living channel. She is a longtime editor and writer on everything feline.
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