Cat scratching is a natural behavior so you can’t completely stop a cat from scratching. Cat scratching along with leaving scent from glands in the paws marks a cat’s territory. Cat scratching is also a form of exercise, conditions the claws and feels good. What you can do is prevent you cat from scratching inappropriate items.
By providing your cat with an appropriate, attractive and convenient place to scratch, i.e., a scratching post, you will protect your valuable furniture, drapes, etc. while allowing cats to do what cats do. Scratching posts should be placed in a few places around the house. Cats like to scratch material that is rough. Attractive materials can include rope-wrapped posts, natural logs, corrugated cardboard to shred and carpet. Scratching posts can be purchased from commercial vendors or even be homemade. Many scratching posts also function as a cat perch.
The post should be tall enough (usually 28 inches) to allow them to fully stretch when scratching. The scratching post must be sturdy enough not to tip over when being used. Scratching post that tips over will scare the cat and deter the cat from using it. Posts should be placed near where they have been scratching to entice them to use the post rather than the furniture. Post can be slowly moved (a few inches at a time) after the post is consistently being used.
Some cats will need to be shown how to use the post. Cats can be enticed to the scratching post by cat nip rubbed on the surface. Provide stimulating toys on or near the scratching post. Reward her with treats, praise her and stroke her for using the post.
If even after providing a suitable place for kitty to scratch, you may find that she does not want to give up old habits. Physical punishment will not work and may even back fire and increase the cat scratching. Physical punishment will also make the cat want to avoid you. You will need to discourage her by placing aluminum foil or double sided tape where she prefers to scratch. The texture of these products does not agree with cats. Since cats mark their territory with scent in the paws, you may need to clean and deodorizer the area as well. Application of a citrus based product to the area will also help to deter the cat. Using a squirt gun, spray bottle and noise maker (simple as a can partially filled with pennies or rocks) thrown in the cat’s direction (but not at the cat) while the cat is inappropriate scratching, will startle the cat and help to stop the behavior. The cat should not associate the squirt gun or noise with you!
Cat scratching can also be lessened by keeping your cat’s claws at an appropriate length. As claws get too long, the nails can not be retracted fully into the paw. Cats will scratch to shorten the claws. Routine clipping of the sharp tips of the claws will lessen the cat’s need to scratch. Some owners use blunt tips placed over the claws of indoor cats to help eliminate damage from cat scratching. After a short period of time to adjust to the tips, most indoor cats readily accept them. The tips will need to be replaced even few weeks to months. The tips should never be used on an outdoor cat as they will not be able to protect themselves without their claws.
Cat scratching is a natural and healthy behavior and should be directed to more appropriate items rather than trying to eliminate the behavior.
