Animal Talk | Scratch your cat's itch

In this series, we’ll look at behavioural issues that people commonly complain about to our staff at RSPCA ACT and try to find ways to help both you and your furry pal live together harmoniously.

So for the second part of the series, we’re looking at destructive scratching.

Scratching furniture and carpet is common and done for a variety of reasons. If you’ve caught your pet in the act, you’re not alone! It happens to the best of us. However, this doesn’t make it easier to handle – especially if it’s a well-loved item! Even harder if you’re in a rental property.

So why do cats scratch? There are a variety of reasons like boredom, marking their territory, and keeping their paws healthy. It is something that they enjoy doing and can relieve stress and anxiety. They’re not deliberately destroying your family heirloom – sometimes they just don’t know better.

This is where we can help!

Give them alternatives: It’s essential that you provide your feline friend with plenty of ‘acceptable’ scratching items and place them in prominent locations around your home. If they don’t take the one you have, try using different shaped scratching posts or even some with different textures attached such as rope and materials different to your couch or carpet.

Put it in a sunny spot where they can still observe the comings and goings of the household. Once your cat is only using that object, you can move it gradually to a less noticeable area of the house and out of the way.

Redirect behaviour: When you see your cat scratching something they shouldn’t, you should gently direct them to the correct area. It’s important not to punish your pet as they don’t understand that using that particular item is a problem. Punishment won’t resolve the situation and in fact, could make it worse.

It might also be possible to incorporate reward-based training (like using treats) into the new learning process so your pet associates scratching the appropriate area with positive experiences.

Provide stimulation: Toys and companionship make all the difference! Our feline friends are intelligent and inquisitive creatures, and therefore need enrichment to not only keep them entertained but to keep them mentally stimulated and happy.

Make it undesirable: If you’ve done everything, and your cat still persists on scratching in the wrong areas, you may have to look for options to protect your furniture such as covers or furniture scratch guards. If you’re not in the financial position to purchase these items, try a little harmless DIY. Covering their favourite areas in aluminium foil, sticky tape or even plastic can encourage them to find a new place.

Rubbing an unpleasant substance on the area can also work, but it’s a good idea to check with your veterinarian to ensure you don’t accidentally make your cat sick.

Remember, scratching is a natural behaviour for cats, but it doesn’t need to be inconvenient or destructive for the rest of your household if you find other ways to meet their needs.