Cat Behavior Problems: Scratching Behavior

Why do cats scratch?

Scratching surfaces is normal feline behavior. Cats that live primarily indoors often scratch surfaces near resting places. This scratching occurs when cats are apparently relaxed, which suggests that scratching reflects a cat’s positive emotions. Additionally, scratching can serve to shorten and condition the claws. Finally, scratching may serve a communication function. Scratching a surface leaves visible claw marks and releases pheromones (chemical messengers), both of which allow a cat to mark its territory.

Cats that live primarily outdoors usually claw prominent objects such as tree trunks or fence posts. Cats that live primarily or exclusively indoors are still inclined to claw prominent objects and do not discriminate based on an object’s personal value. Cats scratch hard surfaces such as furniture, walls, and doors. They may also scratch malleable, soft surfaces such as cardboard or loosely woven carpet and upholstery. Sometimes, cats damage objects inadvertently when they use their claws to grasp surfaces while climbing (e.g., drapery).

Cats may scratch to mark territory as a result of anxiety or social conflict. Cats can also mark surfaces in other ways, including facial marking (bunting) and urine or fecal marking. Claws can be formidable weapons and, when threatened, cats may purposely scratch people or other animals. Unintentional scratches occasionally occur during rough play.

With a good understanding of cat behavior and some effort, you should be able to prevent or avoid most clawing problems, even in cats that live exclusively indoors.

How do I encourage my cat to scratch in an acceptable place?

Cats usually scratch near their favorite comfortable resting areas. They may stretch and scratch when they wake up or when they anticipate a positive social interaction. You can set your cat up for success by learning about their scratching preferences. The key to success is providing cats with the surfaces and locations they favor. Here are some tips for getting started:

• Offer a scratching post tall enough for your cat to stretch out completely while standing on her hind legs. Make sure it is sturdy so it will not wobble or tip when your cat uses it.
• Provide additional posts at multiple heights and angles; include vertical posts and horizontal posts that lie flat on the ground.
• Hang a post from a door that your cat scratches.
• Provide several scratchable materials to learn what your cat likes. Include posts made of cardboard, natural wood, loop-free carpet, sisal, and soft fabric.
• Observe your cat’s habits and preferences.

Every cat has likes and dislikes about scratching areas. Watch what your cat does when he scratches. Does she stand tall and scratch? Or does she pull up on carpeting or blankets on a horizontal surface? Does she scratch on wood, walls, round surfaces, or corners?

"Placement is also important when trying to entice your cat to use a scratching post."

Placement is also important when trying to entice your cat to use a scratching post. Scratching occurs in social contexts, so most cats prefer to use posts placed in prominent locations. The best location to place a post is near an object or item of furniture that your cat has already attempted to scratch. Once your cat reliably uses the post, you can gradually move it to a different area of the room. Scratching posts may be needed in multiple rooms — consider a post in any location where your cat relaxes or enjoys quality time.

How can I encourage my cat to use his post?

A good way to get your cat to approach and use the post is to turn the scratching area into an interesting and desirable play center. Perches to climb on, spaces to climb into, and toys mounted on ropes or springs are highly appealing to most cats. Place a few play toys, cardboard boxes, catnip treats, or even the food bowl in the area to help to keep your cat occupied. You can try rubbing the post with tuna oil to increase its attractiveness. You can also give food rewards when you see your cat scratching at a post. Some products, such as Pavlov’s Cat®, are designed to reward a cat automatically by dispensing food rewards each time the cat scratches. Some cats will need multiple posts in several locations.

If your cat continues to use one or two pieces of furniture, consider moving the furniture or placing a scratching post directly in front of the furniture that is being scratched. Ensure that the surface of the post is covered with a material similar to the furniture fabric.

In addition, you can try to make a specific surface less appealing for your cat by covering the surface with double-sided tape or Sticky Paws®. Always put an appropriate post very close by or your cat may move away from the covered surface only to select yet another valuable object to scratch.

Can’t I just stop my cat from scratching?

Scratching is a normal, healthy need for all cats. It is impractical and unfair to expect cats to stop scratching entirely. Cats that go outside may be content to do all their scratching outdoors, but the urge may still arise when the cat comes back indoors. Cats that spend most of their time indoors need outlets for their scratching.

While it may not be possible to stop a cat from scratching, it should be possible to direct the scratching, climbing, and play to appropriate areas indoors. Once you understand your cat’s substrate and location preferences for scratching, you can provide suitable posts in appropriate locations. Other enrichment can also reduce the frequency of scratching, such as keeping your cat busy with toys and individualized play time.

Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed will help prevent damage from scratching. Using positive reinforcement and a gentle, gradual approach, most cats can easily be trained to allow nail trims at home. Trimming the nails every one to two weeks will help keep the tips blunt and diminish damage from scratching in unwanted locations.

In some situations, to prevent damage while you are learning about your cat’s scratching post preferences, you may consider restricting your cat to certain areas, particularly when you are not available to supervise and keep your cat engaged. If you do restrict your cat to a room or area, be sure to provide a selection of desirable scratching surfaces, as well as fun toys, water, food, and a litter box.

Can scratching be related to a behavioral disorder or stress?

In most cases, scratching is simply normal cat behavior, although undesirable due to the damage it causes. When undesirable scratching continues even after you have provided your cat with favored scratching posts and plenty of enrichment, it is important to determine whether there might be another motivation. When, where, and how often your cat scratches might be clues about the possible cause.

Scratching can occur when cats are frustrated. A cat experiencing frustration might scratch a closed cabinet in an attempt to gain access to food or toys or may target a door to reach a person, pet, or outdoor space.

If the onset of undesirable scratching is sudden or if you notice changes in your cat’s pattern of scratching, check with your veterinarian. Your cat may be experiencing pain or another health condition. Scratching may be self-soothing for a cat experiencing physical or emotional discomfort. Emotional stressors may include changes in daily routine or social conflict related to a household pet or person. A behavioral consultation may be needed to identify the underlying behavioral condition and find appropriate treatment.

If you suspect your cat is distressed, be sure she has plenty of personalized enrichment with opportunities for social and predatory play, new objects to manipulate, and easy access to food and litter boxes. You can try applying the feline facial pheromone Feliway® in locations that are being targeted.

My cat is using her claws to injure family members. What should I do?

Cats may use their claws during play or grasp a person to gain traction when climbing up or jumping off a person’s lap. Keeping the claws short will reduce injury. Be sure to never use your hands or feet as toys and always use an object that can be batted instead. A fleece or towel can be used to protect your lap. You can also use the towel to train your cat to sit next to you instead of on your lap.

Soft Paws® nail covers may be used to reduce damage or injury caused by the claws while behavior training is underway. The covers need to be replaced often so, for most cats, they are not a permanent solution. If your cat actively swats at you outside of play, then a behavior consultation is necessary to determine the underlying motivation. Cats can swat when fearful, frustrated, in pain, or for other reasons, and an accurate assessment is needed as cat scratches can be very serious.

Should I punish my cat for inappropriate scratching?

Avoid all forms of physical punishment because they can cause fear or aggression. Scratching is a natural and normal behavior that every cat needs to do, so an important part of changing your cat’s behavior is working with a qualified professional to rule out underlying social causes, anxiety, or fear-related scratching behavior. Punishment is likely to worsen cases of unwanted scratching that are motivated by anxiety or conflict and can create a permanent fear of people.

Should I declaw my cat?

Declaw surgery involves amputating the last joint of the toe. This surgery can have serious, harmful, physical and behavioral outcomes for cats, including chronic pain in the feet, chronic pain in the spine from a change in weight-bearing, increased biting behavior, increased inappropriate elimination, and more. Because of the harm this surgery can cause, many cities, counties, states, and countries have banned the declaw procedure.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA), Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA), Fear Free, and many other professional veterinary organizations oppose or prohibit declaw surgery.