Scratching is an innate behavior in felines, however, when it is carried out in a generalized and compulsive way on our furniture or fabrics, it can become a very behavior. undesirable and annoying In addition, we must also ask ourselves if there is some type of problem that is promoting this behavior, such as a possible problem of stress and anxiety.
Does your cat scratch absolutely everything? In this article on our site we will explain why cats scratch and most importantly: how to prevent your cat from scratching everythingWe will offer you management guidelines, education tips and we will also review some products on the market that you can use or discard in this process. Start fixing this problem today!
Why does my cat scratch everything?
If we study the ethogram of a cat, that is, the set of typical behaviors of the species, we will observe that scratching is a behavior representative and also has various meanings.
Cats start scratching when they are puppies, because in this way they explore and begin to develop their hunting reflexes It is important to note that both behaviors are closely intertwined. The scratches are usually made towards other members of their family, such as their parents and siblings, but it is also common for them to attack our ankles, the toys they have and even try to catch insects or birds that they observe through the window. At this stage, then, cats will instinctively scratch to prepare for the hunt.
Once the socialization stage is over, when the cat enters his youth, he continues to carry out this activity, but also begins to do it as a habit that entertains them , aimed at rugs, curtains, and other items. Likewise, returning to their hunting behavior, they scratch to sharpen their nails, essential for capturing prey and defending it. If they are not provided with a scratching post, they will begin to scratch furniture and other objects in the home, causing a preference for those places.
When the cat reaches sexual maturity, it begins to carry out the marking behavior, which consists of rubbing, urinating or scratching, behaviors that favor the presence of pheromones in the environment in which they reside. All this allows them to feel more comfortable, as well as demarcate their territory and alert other felines in the area. Nail marking allows the release of pheromones in certain places, such as trunks and poles, and is another form of communication.
Finally, stress and anxiety are other factors that would explain why our cat scratches furniture and other objects. Through these behaviors, which are often unpleasant for guardians, the cat will express that its well-being is compromised, so it will look for behaviors that make it feel safer On the sidelines After marking, a cat with high levels of stress can begin to defecate and urinate in other areas of the home, as well as carry out abnormal behaviors, such as excessive dependency, hyperactivity or apathy.
Loneliness, changes in the home or lack of environmental enrichment can cause stress in cats, a behavioral problem that also affects their he alth, because it predisposes you to get sick more easily.
How to prevent the cat from scratching everything?
Since scratching has multiple meanings and does not necessarily represent a negative behavior that should be avoided, we should encourage our cat to scratch the appropriate placesTo do this, we must offer several scratchers (we recommend a minimum of two for each cat in the household) of different types and textures, in this way we can discover which is the favorite of our feline. We will place the scratchers near the area where they usually scratch and we can even cover the scratched furniture with textures that the cat finds unpleasant, which will help it avoid them.
It is important to note that punishment is totally contraindicated, as it increases stress levels in the cat. For this reason, we advise you to bet on positive reinforcement, which can include the use of kind words, tasty prizes or caresses, which will encourage our cat to associate the fact of scratching the scratchers with something positive, thus encouraging behavior in objects that we consider adequate.
To motivate our cat to use the scratchers, we can use some tricks, such as the use of catnip, but also, they exist in very useful and effective items on the market, such as FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY®, a product that contains an exact synthetic copy of the natural pheromones that cats release during mating. marking, which encourages them to use the areas that contain it, in addition to favoring their well-being.
Likewise, we must not forget that physical and mental stimulation is essential for a cat to channel its energy properly. The use of intelligence toys, socialization with their caregivers or physical activity is essential to make our feline happy, in addition to guaranteeing a sense of security through proper nutrition, preventive medicine and care are essential.
When we talk about cats with high levels of stress and anxiety, we must be aware that simply providing them with scratchers is not going to solve the problem. In these cases we recommend having the opinion of a ethologist veterinarian, as well as using other complementary products, such as pheromones synthetic for cats, which improve well-being and transmit calm in the home.
Finally, and no less importantly, it should be noted that cleanliness is essential to eliminate the smell of the cat's own pheromones. We advise you to use enzymatic products and/or ethyl alcohol to remove traces from unsuitable places, such as furniture, rugs or curtains.
Is using cat repellent spray effective?
The market is full of products that claim to prevent cats from scratching furniture, whether caused by marking or stress, however, it is important to note that most of these itemsthey are not endorsed or supported by studies In addition, in some cases, these products can be uncomfortable for our cats, which will increase their stress and discomfort in the home.
For this reason, we advise you to inform yourself before purchasing any product and look for serious and committed companies that carry out scientific research to support its use, like the one we mentioned earlier to encourage the cat to scratch.
