Tag Archives: cat scratching

Anytime that you make the decision to bring a pet into your family, you’re committing yourself to their care and well-being. Animals simply can’t tell you what’s wrong or what they need. This is why it’s so important to have an understanding of what you can do for them prior to bringing them into your home. If you’re curious about caring for a cat, then it may be a good idea to contact a veterinarian or someone who has experience with these animals. Cats are a bit more complex than people give them credit for.

They have Natural Instincts that are still very much a part of who they are. Each cat is also going to have its very own personality and set of behaviors that are unique to them. It’s important to take the time to understand your cat’s behavior, and to except their unique personalities. You’ll also need to pay attention to their likes and dislikes. Bonding with your cat can be an incredibly rewarding process, and it’s a pet that will stand by you for years to come.

Many people choose cats because they believe that they are a lower maintenance pet. In many ways, this is absolutely true. There are certain behaviors that you need to watch out for, and that you need to be aware of. Things like spraying, going to the bathroom outside of the litter box, scratching up your furniture, and becoming aggressive can all be signs and symptoms of medical problems. If your cat exhibits any behaviors outside of their normal routine, then it’s a good idea to contact a vet and to get them seen as soon as possible.  There are times when these behaviors are purely temperamental. You could have done something that actually made your kitty cat mad. As silly as this sounds, it’s a reality for many pet owners.

The best thing you can do for your cat is to educate yourself on their wants and needs. Figure out the best method of caring for them, and make sure to have all of the things that they’re going to need already in your home before bringing them into it. This can eliminate many different problems, and help make the transition from one place to the next much easier. The longer that the cat has been in a different environment, the more difficult it can be come to break them of bad habits. Fortunately, there are things like no scratch spray for cats that can be purchased online. These can be a huge help in deterring the destructive things that cats can sometimes do when getting used to their environment. These are just some of the basics for caring for your new feline friend:

Choose Your Cat Wisely

Different cat breeds can have very different types of behavior. Some have been domesticated for generations, and they will be more suited to a home. Others, maybe a bit wilder. The type of cat breed can also determine how large the cat’s going to be, if it’s going to have any special medical considerations, or if it’s going to have certain behaviors. Choose a cat that you’re prepared to care for in all ways.

Feeding

One of the first things you’re going to do after you get your cat is to take them to visit the veterinarian. The vet will be able to determine if your cat has any health problems, and to start them on the appropriate vaccinations. At this time, it’s a good idea to ask your veterinarian what kind of food you should be feeding your cat. Feed them only these prescribed Foods. Cats will generally eat twice a day, and it’s important to always have a supply of water available to them.

Anyone who’s ever owned a cat has heard that Infamous sound. That scraping across your furniture or your carpets that makes you inwardly cringe with the knowledge that your cat is currently running their claws along something in your home. Unfortunately, this is more than often happening on a piece of furniture that you actually like.

This is one of the few downfalls to owning a cat, and something that we really have to learn how to deal with. Let’s face it, animals communicate very differently than people. This is part of why we like them, and part of what makes them so difficult to understand sometimes. Scratching things is a Perfectly Natural reaction for any feline friend. They do this in response to several different types of internal and external stimuli. In other words, they’re going to do it whether you want them to or not so you need to figure out an alternative for them.

Fortunately, your cat’s not doing this because they don’t like you. They’re simply doing this because there are some instincts that don’t go away just because an animal has been domesticated. Your cat’s doing exactly what it would be doing if it was running around outside and not living in your home. Just because fluffy has his food hand-fed to him everyday and spends 3 hours being copiously petted doesn’t mean that he’s not going to still Embrace his Wild Side sometimes.

When your fearsome fur ball starts flexing their claws on your favorite leather chair, it’s time to start looking into cat scratching Alternatives. There are plenty of things you can do to offer them a better place to sharpen their claws. Yes, cats need manicures too. They just go about getting them a very different way. Unfortunately, the cost of their manicure can sometimes be your Italian leather couch. They also love to run their claws along your favorite shag carpeting. If you want to stop your cat from scratching the carpet, there are a number of Alternatives you can look into:

Give Them Similar Options

Cats are some of the most stubborn creatures out there. When they genuinely want to scratch something, they’re going to find a way to do it. Sometimes, it’s a good idea to offer them a similar alternative. If they absolutely love scratching up a section of your carpet, see if you can find a carpet sample that mimics this and place it over the area. You can secure it with velcro or weigh it down by attaching it to a piece of wood. This is essentially making a flat scratching post that allows your cat to exercise their natural instinct without damaging your flooring.

Make Other Areas More Appealing

If you cat has one particular area in your home where they like to scratch, it may be a good idea to try to lead them elsewhere. You can do this by placing toys, brand new scratching posts, and even a little bit of catnip to draw them to that area. You can also place their food bowl next to it as an additional incentive. Cats like to be bribed. They’re independent, but they are far from stupid.

Make the Area Inaccessible to Them

Sometimes, the cat is absolutely Relentless with their need to use your antique duvet to stretch their claws on. This is when it’s a good idea to either remove that piece of furniture, or just shut the door. If you have a way to keep your cat out of that area, that’s really the simplest way to prevent them from damaging anything inside.

Have you ever left your home in the morning, looked back to say goodbye to your cat, and wondered what she did all day when you were gone? The answer is probably less interesting than you hoped: cats sleep for two-thirds of the day, so she’s most likely snoozing for the majority of your absence. But what about the other third of the time? And what is she doing while you sleep?

If your kitty is like most felines, she may be getting bored. This is especially true if your cat is indoors only, and even more so if he or she is an only cat. Cats are natural hunters, and though they spend the majority of their time asleep, they need to spend their waking hours pursuing normal, cat-like behaviors, including chasing, stalking, and catching. Most homes today don’t provide the necessary stimulation for our feline friends. This leads to boredom. And a bored cat is often a depressed and destructive one. Luckily, there are easy ways to relieve your cat’s boredom and keep her in fighting shape, even when she’s alone.

Is Your Cat Bored?

There are a few sure signs that your cat is bored at home, which can lead to depression and anxiety problems. While every cat needs stimulation, looks for these warning signs that your friend is breaking under the stress of boredom:

–   Destroying your furniture? Cats need something to play with, something to exercise on, and something to scratch. If you don’t provide these things, your cat will make his own toys and scratching posts out of your couches, chairs, and any fragile items you’ve placed on a high, non-cat-proof shelf.

–   Skipping the litter box? This can be caused by lots of problems, and a cat who’s not using the litter box should start by visiting the vet to rule out medical problems. But, if health isn’t the issue, and the litter boxes are clean, it’s time to start thinking psychologically. Cats can’t communicate with us easily. Sometimes the only way to get humans to hear “I’m frustrated!” may be to relieve yourself on their shoes.

–   Over-grooming? When things get really bad, cats take the pressure out on themselves. Similar to humans who cope with stress by engaging in self-destructive behavior, over-grooming usually originates from severe anxiety and unhappiness. This may warrant a trip to the vet, but often relieving the boredom will relieve the stress and stop the behavior.

–   Sudden whirlwind bursts of running around the house? This is one of the more harmless signs that your cat is bored. All cats need a certain level of activity to be satisfied and healthy. If you don’t provide that activity level with appropriate play time, your cat is left a ball of energy. And what do balls of energy do? They bounce around! While running back and forth isn’t dangerous, it’s an early indicator that your cat needs more stimulation and play.

How Can You Relieve Your Cat’s Boredom?

The easy answer to this is to let your cat spend some time outside, where she can exercise her natural instincts. However, this is often impossible, especially for urban cats where the outside world can be too dangerous. Outdoor cats are more likely to be killed by cars, and sometimes they do damage to neighbors gardens or wild birds, although a bell collar can help with the latter. Luckily, there are ways to relieve your cat’s boredom without putting him in any danger.

Provide Climbing Structures

These don’t have to be expensive, specially made “cat trees.” Cats aren’t picky! A high bookshelf with a cat bed on top, a tall stool, or even a series of smaller shelves arranged on the wall will work. The important thing is to keep surfaces that you want your cat to use clear of decorations or anything breakable. You can introduce your cat to these structures by sprinkling catnip on them: he’ll get the message. You can also build a fancier cat structure with scrap wood and carpet samples if you’re feeling ambitious. The important thing is to create a structure your cat can climb, leap from, and run to.

Offer Creative Cat Toys

Many cat toys, like the beloved fishing poles and yarn,  need a person to operate them. Other cat toys rely on catnip to get your kitty’s attention, which wears thin after about 10 minutes. However, there are cat toys that your can buy or make that will actually entertain your cat while you’re away. Some of these are battery operated, offering a moving target that your cat can chase. But there are also ingenious, inexpensive cat toys that you can make for yourself. A simple empty roll of toilet paper can turn into a rolling ball, a hidden treat holder, or a puzzle only your kitty can solve. The goal is to keep your cat’s body and mind working.

Consider a Catio, or Bring Nature Inside

If you’re lucky enough to have access to the outdoors, consider building a simplified “catio,” a patio designed for cats. There are easy-to-follow tutorials online if you’d like to build it yourself, and the materials usually aren’t too expensive. A catio allows your cat to spend time outdoors without risk to himself or others. If that’s not an option, try to bring a little bit of nature indoors. Offer a flower box filled with cat grass for your cat to snack on. Provide a variety of textures on the floor and on climbing surfaces, such as astroturf, straw mats, or corkboard. Offer running water in a special cat bowl to simulate a natural water source. You can even play a CD of nature sounds to complete the effect. Your cat may not be able to live in the jungle, but you can recreate the ambiance of nature at home.

Think Twice Before Bringing Home Another Cat

You may have heard the advice that the easiest way to cure your cat’s boredom is to bring home another cat. It’s true that, when two cats get along, they are happier and healthier than being alone. Additional cats provide companionship and play for your friend while you’re away. That said, there is no guarantee that your new cat and your old cat will get along. If they don’t, you may go from a cat that’s bored to a cat that’s hostile, aggressive, and miserable. How can you tell if your cat wants a friend? Talk to your local shelter about your concerns. Often the volunteers at cat shelters know their resident’s personalities very well. They can recommend a suitable companion for your kitty and hopefully avoid clashing personalities. You may even be able to bring your cat to the shelter, so he can meet new acquaintances in a neutral setting. Getting an additional cat can be a perfect solution to your cat’s boredom, but only if done correctly.

Finally, the most important thing you can do for your cat is simply to care. Play with him when you are home, and give him lots of attention and affection. Make your home a welcoming, fun, and safe place for her while you’re away. Your cat will reward your efforts with a lifetime of purrs, snuggles, and headbutts. After all, life with cats is never really boring.

If you’ve ever had a cat, then you understand the problems that can come with owning one. There times when they spray or use the bathroom in areas they’re not supposed to, they will chew on small things, get into everything in your house, and sometimes even claw up your nice Furniture. In spite of all of these issues, nothing beats that cozy feeling when you cuddle up with your favorite fur ball. Cats are one of our favorite pets, and it’s pretty easy to see why. They are incredibly independent, and fairly easy to house train. They’re good at caring for themselves, and really ask very little of their owners.

Many people used to believe that a natural part of caring for your cat was having its claws taken out. This was a surgical procedure that made it so that your cat no longer had the claws within its paws and couldn’t scratch or tear up any of your furniture. People also believe that this helped to deter aggressive behaviors, and stopped cats from scratching people or other animals within their homes. So much of this has turned out to be misled. There are extremely good reasons for not declawing your cat.

There are also alternative treatments to removing the claws. There are different things that you can do to stop your cat from tearing up your house while still allowing him to have his or her fingers. You can consider a scratching post that your cat will actually enjoy a lot more than your furniture or your knee. There are also sprays and other cat scratch deterrents that can be used to minimize damage and to help control your cat’s Behavior. Cats are not untrainable, and being consistent with them can be a huge help. These are just a few of the things that actually happen when you decide to remove your cat’s claws for good:

It’s More Than Clipping Nails

Imagine having each one of your fingers and toes cut off at the first joint in order to get rid of your nails. This is almost exactly the same thing that you’re doing to your cat when you take it in to have its claws surgically removed. Not only is this painful, it also makes it difficult for the cat to react in natural ways. It’s no longer able to scrape off the dead skin from its paws, or to defend itself if it gets into a bad situation. Cats don’t use their claws to be mean or aggressive for the most part. Taking them away simply because they ruin a good piece of furniture, is tantamount to animal abuse. Over the last few years, people have really begun to discover exactly what declawing means to a cat, and most vets are now saying that it’s not a good thing to do. There are enough alternatives to declawing that there really isn’t a reason to do it unless there’s some sort of medical condition.

It Causes Life Long Pain

Cats don’t show discomfort the same way that human beings do. They will rarely limp or behave poorly if they’re feeling bad. For the most part once this procedure is done, they are in for a lifetime of pain every time they take a step. If you can imagine doctor induced arthritis, then you might be able to understand a portion of what your cat will be going through. They’re not going to tell you that they’re in pain. They are simply going to continue to walk around and try to behave normally for the rest of their lives.