3 Non-Declawing-Related Tips To Prevent Your Cat From Clawing Your Furniture
Posted on: 19 April 2016
Although cat ownership can be a wonderful thing, one thing that can drive you crazy is dealing with your cat's scratching. Cats have a natural desire to sharpen their claws and scratch things, but this can be a big pain when it's your furniture that is being scratched. Still, you may not want to have your cat declawed. Luckily, following these three tips can help, without the need for this procedure.
1. Have Your Cat's Claws Trimmed
One good option is to consider taking your cat to a cat groomer to have its claws trimmed. This is not the same thing as declawing at all; instead, much like a groomer would clip a dog's nails, the groomer will simply nip off the ends of your cat's nails. This can help prevent your cat from doing so much damage while scratching. Plus, it can help prevent you and your family members from being accidentally scratched when you are handling your feline companion. This will have to be done fairly regularly, as your cat's nails grow.
2. Provide Alternative Scratching Options
If your cat has other places to go to scratch, then it might not be as likely to see your couch as a scratching post. Try out different types of scratching posts, since all cats are different and prefer different things. There are also cardboard scratching pads that are designed for cats to scratch away. Your cat might want to check out this new scratching option on its own, but if it doesn't, consider moving your cat gently to the scratching post or other alternative location each time that it attempts to scratch something that it shouldn't. Your feline might just find that it prefers the scratching post or scratching pad over clawing at your furniture, anyway.
3. Use a Spray Bottle
Have you ever thought about using a spray bottle that has been filled with water as a deterrent for your cat? A spray bottle is great for letting your cat know that your displeased with its behavior without causing harm. Just spritz your cat with the spray bottle when it claws at your furniture to help discourage this destructive behavior.
If you think that you will have to have your cat declawed in order to put an end to its scratching, you should know that you have other options. Luckily, following these three tips can help put an end to this annoying, damaging behavior. Contact a business, such as the Columbine Animal Hospital & Emergency Clinic, for more information.
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