There are numerous reasons why you could find your cat scratching. One is that it helps to remove the outer old layer of the claw or nail to reveal a new sharper one beneath. Another is to mark their territory by using small scent glands located under their claws on the pads. Even if you de-claw your cat because he won’t stop scratching your furniture he will still use whatever he can find to mark his territory as his scent glands will remain intact.
Scratching for a cat is instinctive and every cat will try to scratch whenever he can. As well as the above reasons it quite possibly makes the cat feel more secure and relaxed psychologically if he can scratch whenever he wants and act naturally as nature intended. However, cats can scratch when they feel threatened or anxious about an invasion or threat to their territory.
Click on image to order from Amazon.com
Usually cats scratch regularly as they move about their house to remark rooms as theirs as their old scent is not as strong. If you have recently moved furniture in your house or moved house then your cat may scratch more, as it could be anxious about this new arrangement in a room or house it doesn’t recognise.
Providing a cat-scratching pole in your home for your cat is an excellent idea. It is a good idea to put one in every room that your cat goes in. The location is important, as a cat will want to re-mark his territory as soon as he enters a room. Place cat scratchers that are tall enough for him to stretch up to near to the door inside the rooms he uses. This could be expensive in the short term but will prevent your cat scratching your furniture and beds. Place the tallest strongest one in the room that your cat uses most, say the lounge. Other rooms can contain less expensive scratchers, as they will not be used as much.
Cat scratching posts are usually covered in sisal rope, which is a hardy material that cats really like scratching. The rope won’t shed and will last a long time. Buy cat scratchers in neutral colours if you don’t want them to stand out in your home or if you don’t mind you could choose some brighter colours. Make sure that the cat scratcher you are considering purchasing can stand up to some rough and tumble. Cats are very strong and if they consider a cat scratching pole to be too wobbly they will be scared to use it. Buy the best you can afford and your cat will reward you by using the post regularly. Your cat will want to stretch right up to the post and claw so make sure the post is tall enough for his outstretched body as he won’t use a small post as again he won’t feel it is sturdy enough and won’t be able to enjoy stretching right up.
To engage your cat in scratching if he is new to this, place some catnip on the post to attract him. You can buy this in liquid spray form and most cats can’t resist the smell. He will start to play with the post and some of his scent will be left behind for him to smell and then he will want to re-mark the post all the time.
If your cat is a house cat and never goes out it could be a good idea to invest in large cat scratching furniture. Some of this goes right up to the ceiling and provides places to sleep, crawl through, scratch and bat a ball about on. It is like a climbing frame for cats!! You can hide treats in the many different tunnels and holes so your cat gets some exercise while in your home.
For a very large cat you can buy big boy cat scratchers where the post’s girth is extra large as well as being a tall post. Big cats like Maine Coons, British Shorthairs, Persians and Ragdolls will thank you for this.
Whatever scratching post/posts you decide to buy your cat will thank you a thousand times over as he indulges in his natural innate behaviour.
{ 0 comments }