Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to stop destructive scratching in cats
By DePorter, Theresa L & Elzerman, Ashley L·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2019·Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat's destructive scratching can be frustrating for owners, especially when they target furniture or other items. It's important to understand that scratching is a natural behavior for cats, but there are effective ways to manage it. Veterinarians can help by recommending suitable scratching posts and using pheromone products to encourage your cat to scratch in appropriate places. Educating yourself about your cat's scratching habits can strengthen your bond and prevent issues that might lead to giving up your pet. With the right strategies, you can help your cat develop good scratching habits for life.
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Abstract
PRACTICAL RELEVANCE: While scratching is a normal, beneficial behavior for cats, it can create problems when cats scratch objects owners deem as inappropriate. However, if veterinarians make suitable recommendations from the first veterinary visit, owners will be able to implement effective preventive strategies to develop good scratching patterns for life. Educating owners as to why cats scratch, how to guide cats to scratch only on desirable surfaces (ie, a scratching post), which types of scratching posts are preferred by most cats, the benefits of pheromone products, as well as other strategies to avoid destructive scratching, helps to preserve the cat-owner bond and reduces the risk of relinquishment. CLINICAL CHALLENGES: Clients may not directly ask veterinarians for their assistance regarding their cat's destructive scratching, and may not be aware that anything can be done except for declawing their cat. EVIDENCE BASE: Published studies on scratching are limited. Destructive scratching has been documented as a reason for the relinquishment of cats to shelters and the negative effects of declaw surgeries are being increasingly discovered. Among recent scientific publications are studies assessing kitten and cat preferences for scratching substrates, and the use of pheromones to encourage appropriate scratching behavior. This review draws on these studies, among other resources, as well as the authors' personal experiences.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30810089/