DOES YOUR CAT SCRATCH?
If scratching occurs in multiple areas, plug the Diffuser in the room where your cat spends most of his time
Scratching is a natural need for all cats. When scratching, they mark their territory. This territory marking is both visible (the scratching lines) and invisible! Indeed, cats leave “territory messages” coming from their paws, that only other cats can perceive.
In case of discomfort, cats will scratch more, and this can become an issue if this happens on your walls, doors of furniture!
In many cases, scratching in your home is in fact your cat’s way of expressing discomfort. It is particularly true for kitten and newly adopted cats, who discover their new home.
Your cat scratching might be a sign of discomfort in particular if:
FELIWAY CLASSIC can provide and create a loving and reassuring atmosphere in your home that will help stop cat scratching. Never use FELIWAY CLASSIC Spray on the scratching post as it would prevent the cat from using it!
Cats cannot help it: they need to scratch. But why do cats scratch?
First, there is nothing wrong about it. On the opposite, it is a normal behaviour to scratch whether they do it on a scratching post or where they are not supposed to. It is healthy and in their genes. Therefore, cats should not be prevented from scratching.
Second, cats can be trained to scratch where you want them to, as well as you can help a cat that has been scratching unwanted locations.
Whilst training your cat to scratch at the right place, you should provide all the necessities to make your cat understand there is something such as a scratching post dedicated to their favourite activity. Sometimes one option is not enough or a scratching post may not be the answer to the situation. Cats like to be given options and to be in control of their territory. Pay attention to the location and to the object they scratch on. So it is important to adapt as to let them time to take on a new habit. Plus, you will need patience on your side too.
Even if scratching is a healthy behaviour and necessary for all cats, it can be difficult to watch cats tearing your beloved furniture apart. Be reassured, simple solutions like home remedies to stop cats from scratching the furniture exist.
Once a cat started scratching a particular location, it is not easy to discourage them to return. The visible and invisible marks they left on place mean this is their very own territory. Then, the first step is to remove the previous marks and then to try and direct them towards the desired location. That new location should propose another option to scratch – not your sofa preferably – and remain somewhere the cats stays to maximise the chances of the feline using it.
Home remedies may be used to encourage or discourage cats from scratching, although their efficacy has not been clinically proven. Giving time to the cat to get used to their new scratching location is important since scratching might be a sign of discomfort sometimes.
Cats are very attached to their environment and love their routine. A relaxed cat is more likely to be receptive to the scratching training or redirection than a stressed cat.