Is your cat scratching up your sofa or belongings? Fluffy’s manicure habits aren’t always a big hit with her human servants. In fact, scratching is one of the most common complaints from people owned by cats. Your cat isn’t scratching your belongings because she wants to destroy them. Kitties have an inherent need to scratch. Those little claws are crucial to our feline friends’ survival in the wild, so it’s no wonder that kitties are so diligent about keeping them in good shape. In this article, a local Greensboro, NC vet gives advice on how to manage your kitty’s scratching habits.

Discourage Improper Scratching

Never punish your cat for scratching. It’s an instinctive behavior, so Fluffy won’t understand what she did wrong, and may feel anxious, angry, or scared. To discourage your furball from scratching sofas or wall corners, put clear, two-sided tape in the spot where she is scratching. She’ll hate that sticky feeling!

Offer Suitable Options

If you want your feline friend to stop scratching your things, you’ll need to offer her some alternatives. Offer your furball a kitty tower, scratching post or board. It may take a bit of trial and error to find what she likes best.

Shop Wisely

There are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a cat tower or scratching post. Get something that is sturdy enough to stand up to your furry pal’s acrobatics without toppling or wobbling. If Fluffy’s scratching post falls over on her, she will probably be scared of it afterwards. You also want to be sure to get something that is tall enough to allow your furball to stretch out to her full length.

Nail Trims

Trimming your cat’s nails is a painless and temporary process that is very effective at curbing kitties’ scratching habits. If you’re nervous about cutting Fluffy’s claws yourself, just call us to schedule a quick nail trim appointment.

Claw Caps

Another thing you can try is claw caps. These are glued onto your kitty’s nails, and are very much like fake nails for people. Claw caps won’t hurt your furry friend, but the dull tips will prevent her from scratching.

Does your kitty need a nail trim, shots, or an exam? Call us today! As your Greensboro, NC vet clinic, we are here to serve all of your pet’s veterinary care needs.