Beloved feline friends are our comforters and confidants, in whose soft fur we can cuddle up after a hard day.
It is said that cats, unlike dogs, are individualists who tend not to bond with their owners and live as if next to them, which is not entirely true and which we find out once we have our own fluffy ball at home. Unfortunately, having a cat also has its downsides, and one of them may be that it scratches the furniture.
If our cat goes outside, the problem of scratching the furniture does not arise at all. Unfortunately, this is not the safest solution, so most veterinarians recommend that cats stay indoors, which is tantamount to no trees, which usually fall prey to cat claws. This ultimately involves eagerly scratching our favorite armchair, new sofa, upholstered chairs or delicate curtains.
Most of the time we have to deal with the delicate and soft pads of cat’s paws, but let’s not forget that these descendants of predators also have sharp claws, which serve them for various purposes.
Cats use their claws to mark territory. Scratching furniture or doors usually intensifies when the cat feels threatened, such as a baby, another pet, new furniture or the whole family has had to move. By scratching and leaving its scent, our cat is warning that this is its territory and should not be objected to.
Cat’s claws work on a similar principle to our fingernails. They grow, regenerate and sometimes split. By scratching, cats provide a simple grooming treatment to keep their claws in excellent condition and sharp.
Sometimes, however, increased scratching can involve an attempt to get our attention for a pet that feels neglected.
There are some people who claim that scratching furniture cannot be unlearned, and if your cat is doing just that, you are left to accept it. This is a completely wrong assumption. Sometimes, in order to unlearn your cat from scratching furniture, it is enough to suggest a replacement, sometimes you need to work with your pet, which requires more effort and consistency, but by doing so you are able to achieve the desired goal.
When your cat scratches the sofa or the door, it may be enough if you redirect his interest to a dedicated piece of furniture for this purpose, which can be a scratching post. Place it near the object being scratched and see what happens. If the animal doesn’t get interested right away, you can encourage it by rubbing its cat paws on the scratcher. You will find many scratching post options on the market. They can be custom or combined with a so-called “stork’s nest”, from which the cat can admire what is happening in the apartment or outside the window. Remember, however, to choose one according to your pet’s weight.
Cats do not like the smell of lavender, citrus or eucalyptus. Try spraying the sensitive area with aromatic oil. As a rule, the cat will either be discouraged or will try with redoubled force to get rid of the smell. Here observation will be key!
Some breeders also encourage you to trim your cat’s claws, but this is hardly a recommended procedure, especially if you have never done it. An untrained hand can not only cause your pet pain, stress him out, and put yourself at risk of attack.
main photo: pixabay.com/karishea
