It may seem like one moment your cat loves you and allows you to gently pet him, and then the next the cat turns around and scratches you. Why the hell would your cat do such a thing? Well, it turns out, nature. Scratching is a natural instinct for a cat.
Even when a cat has its nails clipped, they continue the scratching behavior. Also, when a cat’s nails are clipped, they tend to bite, which can be even more dangerous. A better alternative to claws is training. If you know why cats scratch, you can often make them stop.
One of the reasons cats scratch is to leave behind their scent. They have olfactory glands on the pads of their feet, when they scratch, they leave a little of their scent, marking the object as theirs. Scratching can also help cats relieve stress. It allows them to exercise and stretch all of their muscles. Cats with bare claws have trouble stretching just like other cats.
There is a method that works quite well when it comes to preventing a cat from scratching you or your furniture. This means giving your cat something else to scratch that it can’t resist, so it won’t be tempted to scratch you.
Start by buying a good scratching post. The best are made with sisal, wood, or carpet. Don’t buy one made out of cardboard, it won’t last. Make sure to place the post in an area where the cat will spend a lot of time. You may want to hide it, but this won’t work as well.
When buying cat poles, make sure you have enough. You should follow the same rule that applies to litter boxes: one for each cat, plus one extra. Make posts as attractive as possible. You may want to rub some catnip on them so the cats will want to use them more. Also try giving your cat treats on or near the poles.
In the meantime, you’ll want to make the laces currently scratched by the cat less desirable. There are several ways to do this. One is to put on double-sided tape. Cats don’t like the way that feels on their paws. Another option is to cover the furniture with plastic. Don’t punish them for scratching anything. Cats don’t understand punishment.
