Fluffy’s Scratching Habit

Is your cat leaving scratch marks on your sofa or chairs? Does your feline friend sometimes use your carpet as a manicure station? There’s no denying that kitties are adorable, but Fluffy’s nail-care regimen isn’t very popular with her human servants. Read on as a local Omaha, NE vet discusses your cat’s manicure habits.

Why Cats Scratch

Fluffy isn’t deliberately out to destroy your things, even if she does looks suspiciously proud of herself while she’s scratching. Cats depend on their claws for survival in the wild. After all, they use those sharp little nails for hunting and defense, as well as for climbing to safety. Your feline buddy may only be defending herself against a stuffed animal, and may never hunt anything but that pesky red dot from the laser pointer, but she’ll still be driven to take good care of her nails.

Teaching Fluffy Better Petiquette

If you want your cat to stop scratching, you’ll need to provide her with some suitable alternatives. A cat tower is a great choice. Your pet will gain a nail-care station, a napping spot, and a jungle gym, all in one. You can also get a scratching post. Or, go the DIY route: fasten a carpet scrap to a smooth board, and nail it to the wall. Choose something sturdy: your kitty may not use her scratching post if it wobbles. Put catnip and toys near Fluffy’s scratching post to encourage her to use it. While you should never punish your cat for scratching, you can gently discourage her from scratching improperly. Put two-sided tape down on the spots your furball is using, and/or squirt her with water when she scratches your things.

Last Resorts

If you aren’t having much luck getting your feline friend to stop scratching your things, consider trimming her claws. This is painless and temporary, and will keep your furry little diva from ruining your belongings. (Note: we don’t recommend this for outdoor cats, as they need their nails for defense.) If you’re uneasy—or downright scared—about giving Fluffy a manicure, you can always call us to set up a nail trim. You can also ask your vet for advice on putting fake nails (claw caps) on your kitty.

Do you need to schedule a nail trim for your furball? Contact us today! As your Omaha, NE animal hospital, we are here to help.