Although you adore your cat, there are times he tries your patience, especially when he's shredding a piece of furniture. There are reasons why your cat scratches .

Problem scratching is a controversial issue for cat owners. Your dilemma is that you adore your cat, his independence, serenity, his affection for you and his ability to enjoy the simple wonder of being a cat. However, there are times you wish your cat was less like a cat, especially when he's shredding a piece of furniture, a rug or the woodwork.

To understand how to deal with the problem, you must first understand why cats scratch. Cats scratch, knead, or sharpen their claws primarily as a response to the instinctual need to mark their territory. It is a completely normal behavior, starting right at the beginning of a cat's life when Junior picks his favorite nursing spot on Mom. The behavior continues to some extent for his entire life. Neither you nor your veterinarian can change this fact of kitty life, but you can minimize or eliminate the damage this behavior causes. You do have options.

The manner in which you chose to handle a problem scratcher depends a great deal on the personality of your cat, your tolerance/comfort levels and perhaps the age/health of the cat.

Modifying behavior is most effective when you begin at the first sign of a problem. Provide your cat with an acceptable scratching place. Cats usually choose certain types or textures of materials to scratch. Studies have shown that a post covered with sisal rope is the most frequently preferred. When buying a sisal rope scratching post, look for the following:

• stability
  Posts should feel solid and secure, not wobbly. Your cat should not be able to topple the post over.
  
  
• durability
  The sisal rope should be fastened securely and tightly wrappedso it will stand up to constant usage.
  
  
• size
  A scratching post should be big enough so that your can stand on one end or on one side of the post's base and still be able to have his claws in the other end while he stretches. A large adult cat would obviously need a larger scratching post than would a kitten.

Next, remember that your cat is staking a claim to a certain territory when he claws, so place the scratching post where you notice your cat scratching most. Initially this may be a very inconvenient spot for you as a human. However, once your cat starts to use the scratching post, you can gradually move it to a location you like (move it only a few inches at a time until it is in your choice location). Remember most cats adore looking out of windows. If you purchase a cat scratching post with perches on it, placing it in front of a window may make it an instant favorite with your cat.

Trim your cat's nails once every 4 to 8 weeks as needed. The frequency varies with each cat's life style. The Cat Doctor technician can demonstrate how to safely trim your cat's nails. If you prefer, she can trim the cat's nails for you.

Soft Paws Soft Paws are a temporary nail coverings made out of a soft plastic material. They are applied with an adhesive which covers the claw. Soft Paws need to be changed every 6 to 8 weeks to adjust to new nail growth. New Soft Paws are applied after the nails are trimmed. The Soft Paws prevent direct contact between your furniture and your cat's claws, so although the scratching behavior will continue, you won't have the resultant damage. As with nail trimming, a Cat Doctor technician can apply Soft Paws to your cat or teach you how to apply them. One advantage of Soft Paws over surgical options is that declawing surgery only removes the nails of the front feet. Soft Paws may be applied to all four feet. The obvious disadvantage is that it is a procedure that has to be repeated fairly frequently.

This is the most common surgical option. This surgery involves removing the last part of the digit from each of the cat's toes including the claw. The declaw procedure will leave your cat looking perfectly normal. However front claws are eliminated and as is the damage due to sharpening or clawing.

Following the surgery, your cat will be scheduled to stay in the clinic for two nights. This allows us to keep her confined for a period of time while the healing process begins. We can also watch closely to ensure there is no bleeding. Kittens are often allowed to return home after just one night, but we evaluate each case individually.

The incisions on the ends of the toes are sealed with a surgical glue called Nexaband. The glue falls off after about 2 weeks. Occasionally, cats chew at the glue, causing a slight amount of bleeding. You can stop excessive chewing by applying toothpaste or tobasco directly to the toe. We treat the pain of surgery with an analgesic patch adhered directly to the skin, or with oral pain medication. Most cats require antibiotics for approximately one week following to the surgery to alleviate the possibility of infection.

Most cats require antibiotics for approximately one week following to the surgery to alleviate the possibility of infection.

Advantages

• It is permanent.
• Behavioral modification is not required.
• The need for nail covers and regular nail trimming is eliminated.
• It effectively ends worry about clawing damage to your furniture.

Disadvantages

• It is expensive.
  However, when the declawing procedure is combined with a spay or neuter, the cost is reduced. It is best to declaw a cat at the same time he/she is being neutered or spayed. We recommend doing these procedures simultaneously at an age of approximately 4 months.
• It causes temporary discomfort.
  As you can imagine, removing the end of a digit causes some pain. Within 48 hours of declawing, most cats walk well. Large or older cats recover more slowly. In fact, we do not recommend declawing elderly cats.

This procedure is a relatively new option used to control problem scratching. This surgery involves removing a small piece of the tendon the cat uses to extend the claw. Without the ability to extend, the cat is unable to scratch destructively.

Advantages

• There less discomfort to the cat compared to declawing.
• The recovery time is quicker compared to declawing.

Disadvantages

• The need for regular nail trimming remains.

One Final Note You must bear in mind that all cats with Soft Paws or those who have undergone surgical options to curb problem scratching must stay indoors.


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