Your feline good friend could exhibit behaviors that may immediate curious questions. Naturally, as a cat proprietor, you need your furry member of the family to be completely satisfied and wholesome. Every pet is completely different and their response to any scenario or atmosphere is exclusive to their persona. As a brand new cat proprietor, chances are you’ll discover questioning sure cat behaviors like –why do cats scratch? We sat down with Trupanion veterinarian Dr. Caroline Wilde to be taught extra about cat scratching and ideas for the general wellness of your furry good friend.
The reply to why do cats scratch
Why do cats scratch?
There are a number of the reason why a cat could need to scratch. Whether or not you will have a kitten or a curious grownup cat, behaviors comparable to scratching can begin from necessity, play, or one thing extra. Wilde weighs in on the origin of cat scratching.
“Scratching is a really regular factor for a cat to do. For instance, whether or not they need to sharpen their claws, mark their territory each visually and with their scent (there are scent glands on the paws), and to assist them stretch their our bodies and their paws. Additionally, cats can scratch because of worry, anxiousness, or aggression (the latter of which is often an indication of worry or anxiousness). Generally, cats scratch as a part of play.”
Simply because your furry good friend is scratching, doesn’t imply there’s something to be involved about. For example, they may simply be enjoying or sharpening their claws. Think about what’s going on of their atmosphere and attain out to your veterinarian if in case you have any considerations.
When does cat scratching begin to
develop into a behavioral concern?
A kitten is studying, rising, and is actually inquisitive about their new dwelling. All pets react in a different way to a change in atmosphere, and a cat is not any exception.
In essence, “cat scratching turns into a behavioral concern when it’s problematic to the proprietor, because of harm to property or damage. For example, if a cat is scratching due to worry or aggression, that’s regarding as we at all times need to reduce these points in our pets. If efforts to lower worry or aggression are unsuccessful, there are veterinary behaviorists who can diagnose the cat’s situation, and make applicable suggestions, generally by way of habits modification and pharmacotherapy,” factors out Wilde.
If at any level your cat’s scratching is inflicting hurt to you, your loved ones, or property you need to search medical care. Additional, below the experience and steering of your veterinarian, they will decide a correct therapy plan that matches your cat’s wants.
Tricks to stop cat scratching
furnishings, pets, or folks
A kitten is commonly unpredictable and it could be exhausting to inform in case your rising kitten will probably be kind of inclined to scratch. For instance, though a cat could scratch, it may not develop into a habits sample or a priority.
Think about the next tricks to
stop extreme cat scratching:
Firstly, in case your cat will permit, is common nail trims to restrict the flexibility to trigger harm or damage. There are additionally issues known as “Gentle Paws” that are principally caps which are glued to the nails and thereby stop harm brought on by the cat’s claws. They don’t seem to be painful however do require periodic re-application.Spraying pheromone spray, comparable to Feliway, onto surfaces that you don’t want to be scratched can generally assist deter scratching.Place a scratching submit the place your cat likes to scratch.Cats
can have particular person scratching substrate preferences, comparable to carpet, sisal, or
within the case of my very own private cat, a welcome mat, so it could be helpful to
strive various kinds of scratching posts. Making use of a substrate that your cat is averse to — like tin foil or double-sided tape — to the place the place your cat likes to scratch could also be useful. In case your cat is scratching due to play, redirect focus to an applicable toy. When cats scratch folks, it’s often because of anxiousness or worry. Pay shut consideration to a cat’s behavioral cues, comparable to crouching or flattening ears. As well as, give them area after they exhibit these cues to assist stop scratches.Do
not punish your cat for scratching, as that may trigger worry and anxiousness, and
really worsen the habits. Advantages of cat enrichment and cat
If a cat is careworn, anxious, or overly scratching it could be helpful to redirect this habits with cat enrichment. Alternatively, by offering enriching toys and interactive play on your feline good friend, it will probably assist curb undesirable behaviors.
For instance, “environmental enrichment for cats can present a secure and cozy area for cats, and thereby reduce damaging or undesirable behaviors,” cites Wilde. Additionally, interactive play is a superb method to bond along with your cat. Surely, your feline good friend will respect the additional consideration.
Each cat is exclusive and shows
completely different habits
Whether or not you will have a brand new kitten or a rising cat, it’s important to be conscious of recent behaviors. Additional, by offering cat enrichment and conserving your veterinarian up-to-date along with your cat’s improvement, your furry good friend can discover optimum wellness.
Learn on to be taught extra about the advantage of cat enrichment and the function it will probably play in your feline good friend’s life.
About The Creator
is the social media content material coordinator for Trupanion. She spends her workday writing for the Trupanion weblog. She loves writing about pets, being creatively impressed by pets, and fortuitously will get to hang around with pets all day lengthy. In her free time, she enjoys exploring and touring together with her household.