Safe, cat-friendly solutions to clawing and scratching

All cats naturally scratch to keep their claws healthy, strengthen their paws and exercise their muscles. While scratching is essential, it can sometimes lead to damage to your furniture or even inadvertent scratching of people. It’s vital to allow your cat to express this natural behaviour in safe, cat-friendly ways that protect your home and maintain your bond.

Declawing, a surgical procedure removing claws completely, is banned in the UK due to cruelty concerns and is discouraged worldwide. Instead, many safe alternatives exist that redirect and manage scratching behaviour effectively.

In this article, you’ll learn about safe methods to help your cat claw and scratch appropriately without causing harm to your home or loved ones.

1. Provide a Variety of Scratching Posts

Scratching posts offer your cat a designated place to express their natural instincts. Different cats prefer different textures, shapes and locations:

• Sisal-wrapped vertical posts: Mimic tree bark, allow full body stretching and claw sharpening. Place posts near windows or favourite resting spots.
• Horizontal scratch boards or sisal mats: Many cats enjoy scratching horizontal surfaces like sisal doormats or cardboard scratchers.
• Angled or wall-mounted scratchers: Save floor space and suit cats’ natural stretching positions.

If your cat ignores the post, try moving it to a more frequented area, sprinkling catnip, or adding toys to encourage use.

2. Make Furniture and Carpets Less Tempting Targets

To protect your furnishings, fix loose carpet edges securely and repair or cover any torn fabrics. Using protective coverings or double-sided sticky tape on furniture legs can discourage claws without causing distress.

3. Use Safe Deterrent Sprays

Cat-safe deterrents like bitter apple or citrus sprays can discourage scratching on targeted areas due to their unpleasant smells. Always choose products explicitly labelled safe for cats and combine them with suitable alternatives like scratching posts.

4. Sacrificial Coverings for Furniture

If your cat persistently targets specific furniture areas, consider attaching sacrificial coverings designed to bear scratching without damaging underlying fabric. This gentle tactic helps preserve your belongings while accommodating your cat’s behaviour.

5. Regularly Trim Your Cat’s Claws

Keeping your cat’s claws regularly trimmed prevents them from becoming too sharp or long, reducing damage to furniture and accidental scratches to people. Trim approximately every 3–4 weeks using proper cat nail clippers, and ensure your cat is comfortable with the process over time.

6. Claw Caps as a Temporary Solution

Claw caps are soft plastic coverings glued over the tips of your cat’s claws. They blunt the claws’ sharpness, allowing normal scratching without harm to furniture or people. Claw caps require regular replacement every 4–6 weeks and are usually suitable only for indoor cats as they may affect climbing and self-defence abilities.

7. Address Underlying Behaviour Issues

If your cat’s scratching seems aggressive or excessive, consider behavioural triggers such as stress, boredom or territorial marking. Using pheromone diffusers, providing environmental enrichment, and consulting a vet or cat behaviourist can improve wellbeing and reduce unwanted scratching.

Additional Tips for Responsible Cat Ownership

• Never punish your cat for scratching; it is a natural behaviour that needs to be redirected with patience.
• Place multiple scratching options throughout your home to suit varied preferences.
• Maintain consistency and reward your cat when they use their scratching posts.
• Provide plenty of play, stimulation and companionship to reduce stress-related scratching.

These cat-friendly, gentle solutions promote your cat’s natural behaviour while protecting your home and loved ones. With understanding and care, scratching can become a positive part of your shared life.

For those looking to welcome a new feline friend, consider adopting from shelters or finding reputable breeders that emphasise responsible practices and cat welfare.