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It is normal and healthy for cats to scratch, and they do so for a variety of reasons. Scratching is a way for cats to relieve stress and release emotions, from anxiety to excitement. It is also a great way for cats to stretch the tendons in their paws and the muscles throughout their body, keeping them limber. Plus, scratching is essential for maintaining cats’ claws, helping them to shed old nail husks.
“Your cat isn’t trying to be naughty or spiteful scratching the furniture; their main motivation in clawing at the couch is to mark their territory,” explains Kylie McKendry of the Cat Protection Society of NSW. “Cats have scent glands in the pads of their feet and every time they scratch the furniture it leaves a pheromone, undetectable to the human nose, that lets other animals know they have been there.”
Trim your cat’s claws as part of your pet care schedule. This is unlikely to stop them from scratching, but blunting the ends of their claws might help minimise the damage to your home.
Trimming your cat’s claws also has health benefits. “Ingrown claws are a common problem for older cats and can cause extreme pain,” Kylie says. However, make sure you know what you’re doing, she cautions. “Claw trimming is a skill – ask your vet to show you how or leave it to a professional groomer if you’re unsure.”
Declawing cats is illegal in most circumstances in Australia, and it can cause numerous health and behavioural issues in cats.
While scratching is normal cat behaviour, you can train them to scratch where you want them to. Provide them with an alternative like a cat scratching post. Offering them more than one alternative is even better.
You can train your pet to use cat scratching posts by being attentive and consistent. “If you notice your cat going to scratch the furniture, pick up your cat and place them at a scratch post instead,” Kylie says. “Be consistent and place them at the scratch post every time you notice them scratching the furniture or carpet.”
Scent and cat toys can help make the scratching post extra fun, too. “You could try spraying or rubbing some catnip on the scratch post,” Kylie says. “Dangle teaser toys or use a laser pointer to make the post exciting and encourage them to grab hold of the post.”
It’s important to offer your cat a positive reward when they do the right thing. Avoid disciplining your cat, as punishment is unlikely to help.
Cat scratching posts come in a variety of textures, from rope to soft carpet, and every cat will have a preferred surface, which you might have to find through trial and error.
Consider the height of the post, selecting one that’s tall enough for your cat to scratch when stretched out to their full length. Make sure it has a nice wide base, so it’s sturdy enough that it won’t tip over when they put weight on it. When deciding where to put the scratching post, look at your cat’s behaviour. If your cat has already shown a preference for scratching a particular chair or patch of carpet, place the scratching post next to it.
If you have two cats, you might want to consider the 'one per cat plus one' rule: one scratching post per animal, plus an additional one. This can help prevent competition and issues with territory claiming. Cats aren’t great at sharing, and one might mark the post as its territory, refusing the other cat access.
If your cat’s scratching post is looking worse for wear, it’s easy to give it a refresh.
Remove all the old rope from the scratching post. Using sisal rope, start wrapping from the bottom, gluing in place as you go, using non-toxic glue. You can use staples or nails to hold the rope in place, but if you do use staples or nails, place them at the back and make sure they’re hammered in securely to minimise the chance of your cat catching a claw.
If your cat prefers carpet for scratching, you can re-cover the post with an offcut. Use a staple gun to secure the carpet and, again, make sure all staples are hammered in securely to prevent your cat hooking a claw on a staple.
Beyond the standard scratching post, you can also try cardboard scratching boards. Or give your cat added incentive to scratch with a cat tree, which combines scratching posts with platforms to perch on. They may also include a cubby for your pet to curl up in or dangly toys for fun.
Catnip spray makes a new scratching post instantly appealing, while cat treats can be used to encourage desirable behaviour. Acknowledge good behaviour and reward your cat with a tasty treat, similar to training a dog.
If your cat is obsessed with scratching in one undesirable place, you can try repellent products. A cat repellent spray is a non-toxic product that contains fragrances your cat won’t like. You can also try a homemade spray to stop cats from scratching furniture. Mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and spray this mixture on the area.
Anti-scratch cat tape works, too. This is essentially double-sided tape, which discourages cats from scratching that area, as they dislike the sticky surface.
Build your own D.I.Y. cat wall shelves to provide your cat with entertainment and places to perch.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
