How to stop your cat from being destructive: Expert tips

Cats are intelligent and sometimes misunderstood companions. Destructive behaviour such as scratching furniture, chewing belongings, digging plants, or stealing food can stem from various causes including boredom, anxiety, or a need for attention. Understanding why your cat behaves this way is the first step in addressing it effectively and compassionately.

Why is your cat destructive?

Cats are naturally active predators, spending hours hunting each day in the wild. Indoor cats, however, often lack opportunities to express these instincts physically and mentally, which can lead to frustration and destructive behaviour. For instance, a cat frustrated by a lack of stimulation might scratch furniture to release energy or solicit attention. It's important to recognise that punishment or distractions like squirting water may temporarily interrupt behaviour but can inadvertently reinforce it if the cat perceives it as play or attention.

How can you stop your cat from being destructive?

1. Provide stimulating play and toys

Encourage your cat's stalking and chasing instincts with toys that mimic prey, such as small, textured, or moving objects. Examples include feather wands or battery-operated toys. Rotate these toys regularly to keep play engaging. Avoid using your hands or feet during play to prevent inappropriate biting or scratching directed at people.

2. Make your cat work for food

Use puzzle feeders or homemade food-dispensing toys to transform meal times into hunting sessions. Placing small amounts of dry food inside a perforated plastic bottle or hiding food in rolled paper balls around the house engages their natural foraging instincts, prolonging meal times and reducing destructive boredom.

3. Create a multi-dimensional environment

Provide climbing shelves, sturdy scratching posts, and resting platforms at different heights. This satisfies the cat’s desire to climb and explore, offering vantage points and safe retreats. Boxes or tunnels can add enrichment and comfort, giving your cat places to hide or play.

Other possible reasons for destructive behaviour

Scratching is a natural activity important for communication and nail health. Sometimes destructive scratching may be caused by anxiety or environmental stressors, meaning environmental enrichments alone might not be sufficient. In such cases, consulting a veterinary behaviourist is advisable to explore additional treatments.

Why punishment is not effective

Punishing your cat for destructive behaviour does not address the root cause and can harm your relationship, increasing your cat’s anxiety or even encouraging the behaviour if the punishment is interpreted as play. Instead, focusing on environmental enrichment, consistent training, and positive reinforcement is more effective and humane.

Expert tips for managing destructive behaviour

• Rotate toys daily to sustain interest and engagement.
• Use deterrents like double-sided tape or furniture protectors to safeguard belongings.
• Keep your cat’s nails trimmed or consider plastic nail caps to minimise damage.
• Provide regular interactive play sessions that simulate hunting.
• Maintain a stable and predictable home environment to reduce stress.
• Ignore attention-seeking destructive behaviour to avoid reinforcing it.
• Reward desired behaviours with treats and affection to encourage them.

For more information on adopting a cat or finding toys and enrichment products, consider visiting reputable animal adoption sites or pet marketplaces dedicated to cats. Providing a loving, stimulating environment and understanding your cat's needs thoughtfully is the key to reducing destructive behaviour and enhancing your bond.