7 Tips for Teaching Your Cat Good Scratching Habits

Does your kitty have a habit of using your sofa as a scratching post? Is your feline friend using your armchair as a nail-care station? Kitties have a lot of adorable traits, but their nail-care habits could use some improvement. Read on as an Ellicott City, MD vet offers some advice on teaching your pet better petiquette.

Get A Good Scratching Post

If you want your cat to stop scratching improperly, you’ll need to offer her suitable alternatives. Get your kitty a good scratching post or board. Choose something sturdy that won’t wobble or tilt.

Reward Good Behavior

Offer your cat lots of toys and treats near her manicure station. Catnip, cuddles, and compliments will also help. This will help your pet form a good association with her scratching post.

Curb Bad Petiquette

If your pet is scratching the corner of a wall, couch, or chair, put clear, two-sided tape up in that spot. Your feline pal won’t like the sticky feeling, and will probably look elsewhere. You can also use a plant or end table to block your cat’s access to her favorite spot.

Avoid Punishment

You should never punish your cat for scratching improperly. Fluffy has a deep-seated instinctive urge to keep her nails in good shape. This is because cats depend on their claws for survival in the wild. If you punish your kitty, she won’t know what she did wrong, and may get confused, angry, or anxious.

Make Fluffy Think Twice

You’ll need to basically trick your kitty into reconsidering her nail-care regimen. When your cat scratches improperly, squirt her with water or make a loud noise. These things won’t hurt your pet, but they will startle her.

Try Claw Caps

Claw caps are basically fake nails for kitties. You glue them onto your pet’s claws, and they will eventually fall off on their own. Your feline friend can even sport cute colors, like pink or red! Ask your vet for more information.

Give Your Kitty A Peticure

No luck? Consider clipping your cat’s claws. Just like a human manicure, this is a painless and temporary solution. If you’re nervous about doing it yourself, just call us to book a quick nail-trim appointment. Please contact us, your Ellicott City, MD animal clinic, with any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care. We’re here to help!