Cat scratching behavior

Unwanted scratching of the furniture

Often, cat owners place a scratching post in a corner of the living room. Cats are more likely to use objects that are clearly visible rather than the scratching post. They do this firstly because indoor cats generally prefer the easiest option; they will use the nearest object for their claws. Secondly, scratch marks are not visible on a scratching post tucked away in a corner, but scratch marks on furniture are visible, so the cat will use those. Therefore, always place a scratching post where your cat spends a lot of time or in a well-visible spot in the house.

Another way to encourage your cat to use the scratching post is by using catnip. Spray some catnip on the scratching post to make it more attractive to your cat. In addition to catnip, you can use a spray that is unattractive to cats on the places where you don’t want them to scratch.

If you have bought a scratching post that is too small for your cat, it is likely that they will not use it. When scratching, cats often stretch out to stretch their back, legs, and shoulders. With a scratching post that is too small, a cat cannot do this. Another option for the cat is, you guessed it, your furniture. Therefore, always make sure a scratching post is tall enough for your cat.

Scratching behavior and behavioral problems

When a cat digs its claws into every object it encounters and scratches everything to the extreme, there is often an underlying problem. Excessive scratching is a way for a cat to signal that something is wrong. This can be due to stress, insecurity, or fear. Punishing a cat for excessive scratching does not work; it will only increase the insecurity, fear, or stress, and thus the scratching behavior.

To stop extreme scratching behavior, you first need to check if something has recently changed for the cat (for example, in its living environment) that has caused stress. Try to remove the source of fear, insecurity, or stress, or let your cat gradually get used to it (for example, when a new cat or dog comes into the house).

If helping your cat get used to something doesn’t work and the excessive scratching continues, contact a cat behavior specialist. The extreme scratching behavior is not without reason, and it is important to try to solve the underlying problem.

Many cats already enjoy Riverwood every day. Do you want your cat to also enjoy our delicious kibbles and are you curious which variant would suit your cat best? Answer here a few questions and order a budget-friendly trial pack right away.