Cats scratch to peel off old claw sheaths and expose new claws, to mark their territory, and to stretch their muscles after a long nap. If your kitty uses your favorite comfy chair as a scratching post, here are a few pointers for redirecting her behavior.
Minimize the Potential
Try trimming your cat's nails every two weeks. This won't solve the problem, but it will minimize how much damage she can do to your furnishings.
Provide an Attractive Alternative
Train your cat to scratch in an appropriate area. Here are some ideas:
Give kitty a texture test. Some cats prefer to scratch on cardboard, others on carpet, and others still on sisal (a ropy fiber). Before you spend money on a scratching post, get a handle on what material your pussycat favors. Then be sure to get a good-sized, sturdy post - one that stays still when she digs in and pulls.
Place the scratching post close to her favorite scratching and napping areas. Move her paws up and down on the post, or scratch it yourself, to clue her in on where she should do her slashing and gashing.
Make other scratching spots less desirable. If you spray pet repellent on your furniture, she may turn her nose up at the couch leg and search for appealing alternatives, like the scratching post you've rubbed with fresh catnip. (Before spraying any piece of furniture, test a small area to make sure the repellent won't leave a stain.)
Temporarily cover furniture with plastic, foil, or a plastic carpet runner, nubby side up. Or put double-sided sticky tape on the most commonly gouged areas. Cats hate the sticky feel and usually will move on.
Have a water-filled spray bottle on hand in case you find your cat scratching where she shouldn't. Give her a spritz when you catch her in the act to relay the message that she's in a scratch-free zone.
Remember to give positive reinforcement, too. When she scratches the post, or even shows interest in it, praise her and pet her. Offer her a treat. Lavish her with attention. This will go a long way toward modifying her behavior.
During moments of frustration, remind yourself that cats need to scratch. Your cat is not trying to be bad; she just needs you to train her.
Declawing as the Last Resort
Declawing is a surgical procedure in which the last joint on each toe is amputated. Many people assume that declawing means removing only the nails or cutting them very short, but it actually requires removing bone and flesh. Usually only the front toe joints are removed, because front claws do more damage.
Because cats need to be fully anesthetized during the procedure, veterinarians will sometimes declaw them when they undergo a spay or neuter. Cats who are declawed when they're less than a year old heal faster and experience fewer complications than older cats, so if you're leaning strongly toward having your cat declawed, try to make a decision early on.
Nonetheless, don't rush into having this surgery done while your cat is young. First be sure you've tried every possible behavior-modification technique to discourage her clawing your furniture and rugs. And ask yourself whether you might be able to live with her habit rather than take away her claws - without which, she may feel defenseless.
If you do opt for the surgery, you should know that your cat's paws will be bandaged afterward and she'll need to spend a night or two at the hospital. Your veterinarian also will give her painkillers to ease the hurt.
Your cat will also need to relearn how to balance, move, and walk after the amputation.
How quickly your cat recovers will depend on her size, age, the pain relievers prescribed, whether complications arise, and the declawing method used. For example, if the veterinarian uses a laser instead of a scalpel blade, your cat may heal more rapidly.
Ethics of Declawing
Declawing is painful for your cat and removes her main natural defense mechanism. The operation should be your last resort.
If you do decide to declaw your furry friend, you'll also be making the decision to keep her as an indoor cat. Clawless cats can't climb trees or fend off belligerent dogs or cats, so don't ever let your declawed cat go outside unsupervised.
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