Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching

Abstract

Practical relevance:

While scratching is a normal, beneficial behavior for cats, it can create problems when cats scratch objects owners deem as inappropriate. However, if veterinarians make suitable recommendations from the first veterinary visit, owners will be able to implement effective preventive strategies to develop good scratching patterns for life. Educating owners as to why cats scratch, how to guide cats to scratch only on desirable surfaces (ie, a scratching post), which types of scratching posts are preferred by most cats, the benefits of pheromone products, as well as other strategies to avoid destructive scratching, helps to preserve the cat–owner bond and reduces the risk of relinquishment.

Clinical challenges:

Clients may not directly ask veterinarians for their assistance regarding their cat’s destructive scratching, and may not be aware that anything can be done except for declawing their cat.

Evidence base:

Published studies on scratching are limited. Destructive scratching has been documented as a reason for the relinquishment of cats to shelters and the negative effects of declaw surgeries are being increasingly discovered. Among recent scientific publications are studies assessing kitten and cat preferences for scratching substrates, and the use of pheromones to encourage appropriate scratching behavior. This review draws on these studies, among other resources, as well as the authors’ personal experiences.

Introduction

Cats are becoming increasingly common as companion animals around the world, and in many places they have become the number 1 pet. ¹ They initially began living cooperatively with humans primarily as an efficient predator of rodents, and have still not been fully ‘domesticated’, ² retaining many of the traits of their ancestor the African/ Arabian wildcat (see article in Part 1 on normal feline behaviour). ³ Some of these traits are desired by the people who share their lives with a cat, but some are not. Cats, for example, may choose to live solitary lives and employ demarcation of territories by marking in order to avoid aggressive encounters.

While scratching is a normal, beneficial behavior for cats (Figure 1), it can create problems in the home environment. Depriving cats of the opportunity to scratch appropriate items may result in the destructive scratching of household items that owners may not tolerate.

Figure 1.

Scratching is a normal feline behavior and is utilized to remove claw sheaths, sharpen the claws, stretch and exercise the body, and designate territories. In natural environments cats will scratch on trees; in the domestic situation they will also use wooden fences, sheds or posts. Image ©iStock/vvvita

Many of the approaches utilized by owners to modify or prevent this behavior may not only be ineffective, but can result in diminished welfare for the cat. Correction or punishment of a normal behavior can result in increased stress. Even more concerningly, cats may be at risk of relinquishment or euthanasia due to their destructive scratching of household items.

Alternative approaches, including better awareness of the need of cats to scratch as well as the availability of effective, humane interventions, should be emphasized by the veterinarian.

Why cats scratch

Scratching has long been explained as being a means of sharpening the claws (effective weapons essential for catching prey) and maintaining the system that allows claw extension and withdrawal. The motion of scratching also likely has other functional benefits: removing the outer sheath of the nail, exercising the muscles of the forelimbs and spine, and facilitating stretching. These functional reasons may not, however, be the only motivations for this behavior.

Claws are also tools involved in complex feline communication, which is facilitated by the deposition of scents and pheromones from the interdigital glands, among others. The ‘scratch’ made in a surface may indicate the location that pheromones have been deposited for the purposes of communication of territory. Scratching thereby enables important visual and olfactory communication of both immediate and long-term social messages.^4,5 Since serious conflict may arise when a cat has a direct encounter with an unfamiliar cat, the cat’s ability to communicate indirectly by depositing semiochemical messages is self-preserving. ⁶

Some cats naturally have a strong drive to mark their territory, and this may be accomplished in three ways: scratching, spraying urine and/or depositing facial pheromones by rubbing (‘bunting’) on people or objects. Social tension between housemate cats may result in an increase in many marking behaviors, including scratching.^7-9

When watching a cat scratch a surface, it may appear to enjoy scratching or else look quite aroused and agitated, suggesting that there are different underlying motivations for this behavior. Even cats that have been declawed continue to go through the motion. Each cat may display individual scratching preferences in terms of substrate (eg, sisal rope, carpet, cardboard) and horizontal vs vertical surfaces. Some cats may rake their claws down an object in long strokes, while others may prefer to use short strokes and ‘pick’ repeatedly in the same spot.

Treatment approaches for destructive scratching behaviors

Treatment of destructive scratching is, in simple terms, a matter of encouraging the use of appropriate scratching substrates while discouraging the use of inappropriate scratching substrates. One internet survey study revealed that only 55% of respondents provided a scratching post for their cat. ¹⁴

Encourage the use of appropriate scratching substrates

Encouraging cats to scratch on specific substrates is in theory just a matter of providing a cat with its favorite scratching surface. Unfortunately, however, we cannot simply ask the cat what its preference is. Since scratching behaviors are instinctual, providing a variety of suitable options and allowing the cat to decide its favorites may yield the best outcome. If the cat is known to have a preferred post or substrate then these should be offered. Most cats prefer a sisal rope post (Figure 3), but wood, carpet and cardboard are also popular scratching surfaces. Any scratching post provided should be sturdy and not waver if the cat exerts force on it. Ideally the scratching options should be variously placed in close proximity to the cat’s sleeping areas, close to the perimeter of the cat’s territory (eg, near windows), and in areas where the cat has scratched household items or surfaces. Households with multiple cats should offer a variety of options in a variety of locations.

Figure 3.

Most cats prefer a sisal rope post, which should be sturdy enough to withstand the cat exerting force on it without wavering. Courtesy of Abi Tansley

Figure 2.

Cats may direct normal scratching behaviors towards household items that the owner does not want destroyed, such as fabric, carpet or wood, potentially damaging furniture, walls, stairs, and door and window frames. Image ©iStock/pkline

For an adult cat, habits may already be established so it is important to follow the individual cat’s preferences. When adding a new cat to the household, owners should be advised to closely observe the cat’s habits and provide its preferred scratching surface.

A kitten may not yet have established its habits, especially if still within the plasticity of the socialization window. Kittens should therefore be provided with a variety of types of scratching post substrates, including sisal rope, carpet, cardboard and wood, to encourage them to utilize a variety of scratching posts as adults. One recent survey found that kittens preferred a commercially available S-shaped cardboard scratcher (Figure 4) compared with long, rectangular or boat-shaped commercially available cardboard scratchers. ¹⁵

Figure 4.

(a) One study found that an S-shaped cardboard scratcher was preferred by kittens. ¹⁵ (b) Another type of S-shaped scratcher being used in the home of one of the authors (TD). Image (a) courtesy of Lizzie Rowe

Having provided an appropriate scratching substrate, it can be that the cat needs further encouragement to start using it. In Wilson et al’s internet study, for example, inappropriate scratching was reported by 70% of owners even when a scratching post was provided in the same room, and often quite close to, the inappropriately scratched object or area. ¹⁰

Cats are drawn by both sight and scent stimuli to return to previously scratched objects. The cat should be taken to the appropriate object and given the opportunity to scratch. The owner should avoid taking the cat’s paw and rubbing it down the surface, as this may have the opposite of the desired effect and cause the cat to develop an aversion to the area. Instead, catnip applied to the post or a toy dangled on the post may encourage the cat to investigate the post with its paws and thus begin the scratching pattern.

Cats should be praised for scratching in preferred scratching locations to reinforce the behavior. Another finding in Wilson et al’s internet study was that respondents who rewarded their cat (ie, food treat, verbal praise and/or pet or stroke) were more likely to report that their cat used their preferred post at least once daily (n = 2366/2942; 80.4%) than those who never rewarded for scratching (n = 201/297; 67.7%) (P <0.0001). ¹⁰

Figure 5.

Most commonly used substrates on scratching posts (n = 3376)

Figure 6.

Types of scratching posts used most often (n = 3344)

Figure 7.

Incidence of inappropriate scratching in relation to the scratching post most used by cats at home (n = 3344)

New pheromone treatment for encouraging cats to scratch in desired locations

Feliscratch (Ceva) is a new, innovative pheromone product that appears to induce appropriate scratching behavior in cats, and offers a practical means to assist cat owners to redirect their cat’s inappropriate scratching onto their desired location and even the scratching post of their choice.

Feliscratch is a synthetic analogue of the cat’s natural pheromone, feline interdigital semio-chemical (FIS), which is released by the plantar pad glands and deposited as a chemical message on scratched surfaces (see article in Part 2 on pheromone therapy). When the product is applied to the desired scratching surface, it mimics the chemical signals that encourage the cat to scratch there again; furthermore, the dark color replicates the ‘scratch mark’ on a surface, and may encourage cats to investigate for chemical signals. The product thus provides a unique mechanism to encourage scratching in locations that owners consider desirable.

In a crossover clinical trial of 19 laboratory-housed cats, the synthetic analogue of FIS was shown to modify the latency, duration and frequency of scratching behaviors compared with placebo. ¹⁶ In an in-home test performed in more than 150 feline households by Ceva, the product was effective in redirecting the cats’ scratching onto their scratching post, while preventing or reducing unwanted scratching of furniture.^17,18

Discourage the use of inappropriate substrates

Owners may resort to a variety of methods to discourage the cat from performing undesirable scratching behaviors. Common strategies include startling the cat with noise, yelling or spraying with water. Application of aversive surfaces (such as aluminum foil or upside-down carpet runners) to household items or surfaces that the cat is destructively scratching does not reduce the underlying motivation for the behavior; these simply change the location preferences. There are a variety of commercially available sprays or products that the cat may consider aversive and thus avoid, but these too are not recommended. The reality is that many of these tactics result in fear, avoidance and further anxiety, and may even lead to a paradoxical exacerbation of the inappropriate scratching. The owner should always avoid any punishment or reprimands for inappropriate scratching behavior. The value of the provision of an appropriate type of scratching post in an appropriate location cannot be underestimated.

If a cat is scratching in an area that the owners are displeased with, then the area should be cleaned with warm water to remove any scent marks and steps should be taken to prevent ongoing scratching and the risk that this develops into long-term patterns. One option might be for the owner to remove or restrict access to household items the cat is destroying, at least until the habit of scratching the desired post has developed. Alternatively, the area can be quickly covered with blankets, plastic or foil, at least temporarily, and the cat should be prevented from having unsupervised access until new habits are well established. When the cat is ultimately given access again, it is important to pre-emptively encourage other activities in these previously scratched areas by treating with Feliway Classic Spray, feeding and/or providing bedding for resting in these locations.

Use of pheromone products

Feliway Classic strategically applied to surfaces that the owner would prefer the cat not to scratch may decrease scratching on these surfaces. It is proposed that this pheromone may reduce the impulse to scratch as a form of territorial demarcation due to its stress-relieving properties and the sense of familiarity that it provides. ⁶ In addition, an appeasing pheromone (Feliway MultiCat/Feliway Friends) may reduce stress and, in turn, a cat’s urge to scratch.

Other techniques

Facilitate other marking behavior

Since cats that are experiencing social stress are likely to exhibit more scratching behavior, encouraging other marking behaviors, such as bunting, could lead to a decrease in scratching. Provision of commercially available self-grooming arches or bunting combs at the cat’s chin level promotes bunting on those surfaces. Pieces of cardboard may make suitable inexpensive bunting combs. Self-grooming objects should be utilized in the location a cat is observed bunting in.

Limit damage caused by scratching behaviors

Strategies that can be used to decrease the damage caused by scratching behaviors include nail trimming or applying caps to the nails.

Kind and gentle low-stress handling paired with high value food rewards can help a cat to accept and even enjoy the nail-trimming experience. Nails should be trimmed regularly. Teaching kittens to be at ease with nail trimming is important and should be included in client education during every kitten visit.

Plastic nail caps such as Soft Paws (softpaws. com) can be applied to reduce damage to household items. These caps may need to be reapplied monthly. To minimize any possible detrimental effects of the plastic nail caps they should be fitted properly, the glue should not be over-applied and the cat should be observed closely to check it is shedding old claws naturally.

Client education

Educating owners about cats’ normal scratching behavior and how to avoid destructive scratching will help to preserve the cat–owner bond and reduce the risk of relinquishment. Veterinarians should offer behavior and training suggestions to kitten and cat owners from the first visit. The owner handout on page 242, also available to download from the supplementary material, can be used to assist with this discussion.

Key Points

• Scratching is a normal activity in the feline repertoire, but it is very commonly the source of behavior complaints, even by cat lovers, with a little over half to 80% of owners reporting that their cats scratch inappropriately.

• The ideal scratching post to recommend to a cat owner to help prevent inappropriate scratching is one that includes sisal rope as a substrate, has a vertical scratching surface, is ≥3 feet (≥0.9 m) tall, has two or more levels and has a base width of between 1 and 3 feet (0.3 and 0.9 m). In addition, the strategic use of Feliscratch will enhance the qualities of the perfect scratching surface.

• Owners who reward their cat for scratching the desired object or post can increase their cat’s use of the intended scratching substrate.

• If needed, Feliway Classic may be strategically applied to surfaces that the cat has selected but the owner would prefer not to be scratched.

• Some clients may still consider declawing a ‘benign’ and automatic option; however, as new research emerges outlining the potential long-term negative impacts, and a growing number of cities, states and countries ban or heavily regulate the procedure, this option is becoming increasingly less viable.

• Veterinarians have the opportunity to cover behavioral health, including education about scratching, when discussing preventive care for cats from kittenhood onwards.