THE CATS OF THE SANCTUARY HAVE THEIR SAY
Loud howls and meows woke up the Director of the Sanctuary in the middle of the night. She jumped out of bed to run out and see what the commotion was. There were the Sanctuary cats protesting the fact that so much attention is always given to the dogs and that they are ignored and have never had to have their own section of the newsletter. Well the hubaloo was loud but Palena sat on the floor and apologized to them all. As the noise quieted she pet them all and said ok you guys are right three times as many of you die in shelters let’ s get busy to educate about you as well. So here we are. This is our very first article in the newsletter and we are excited. Just so you know we issued other complaints too. As a result 2009 is a year of building a huge cat area for us. If you would like to help with a donation or building supplies please
contact Tina at chloemew@yahoo.com
We get a lot of questions about cats and their tearing up the arms of furniture etc. So the felines of the Sanctuary agreed to address this with you.
Why Do Cats Scratch?
Although some people think a cat’s scratching behavior is a reflection of his distaste for their owner having anything nice, or they want to show that they really are the owners of everything in the house, the fact is that cats scratch objects in their environment for many perfectly normal reasons. For instance, cats scratch To remove the dead outer layer of their claws or to simply work off energy. Because scratching is a normal behavior, and one that cats are highly motivated to display, it’s unrealistic to try to prevent them from scratching. Instead, the goal in resolving scratching problems is to redirect the scratching onto acceptable objects.
Training Your Cat to Scratch Acceptable Objects
1. You must provide objects for scratching that are appealing, attractive, and convenient from your cat’s point of view. Start by observing the physical features of the objects your cat is scratching. The answers to the following questions will help you understand your cat’s scratching preferences:
Where are they located? Prominent objects, objects close to sleeping areas, and objects near the entrance to a room are often chosen. What texture do they have—are they soft or coarse? What shape do they have are they horizontal or vertical?
How tall are they? At what height does your cat scratch?
2. Now, considering your cat’s demonstrated preferences, substitute similar objects for her to scratch (rope-wrapped posts, corrugated cardboard, or even a log). Place the acceptable object(s) near the inappropriate object(s) that she’s already using. Make sure the objects are stable and won’t fall over or move around when she uses them.
3. Cover the inappropriate objects with something your cat will find unappealing, such as double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets of sandpaper, or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up. Or you may give the objects an aversive odor by attaching cotton balls containing perfume, a muscle rub, or other safe yet unpleasant substance. Be careful with odors, though, because you don’t want the nearby acceptable objects to also smell unpleasant.
4. When your cat is consistently using the appropriate object, it can be moved very gradually to a location more suitable to you.
Should IPunish My Cat for Scratching?
No! Punishment is effective only if you catch your cat in the act of scratching unacceptable objects and have provided her with acceptable scratching objects. Punishment after the fact won’t change the behavior, may cause her to be afraid of you or the environment, and may elicit defensive aggression. Used by itself, punishment won’t resolve scratching problems because it doesn’t teach your cat where to scratch instead. If you do catch your cat in the act of scratching inappropriate objects, punish her in a way that prevents her from associating the punishment with you. Try using a water-filled squirt bottle. If you use other, more interactive techniques, she’ll learn to refrain from scratching in your presence but will continue to scratch when you’re not around.
How Do I Trim My Cat’s Claws?
To help keep them sharp, cats keep their claws retracted until they’re needed. As the claws grow too long and become curved, they can’t be retracted completely. You should clip off the sharp tips of your cat’s claws on her front feet every two weeks or so. Clipping your cat’s claws will also help prevent them from becoming snagged in carpets and fabrics, not to mention your skin! Before trimming your cat’s claws, help her get accustomed to having her paws handled and squeezed. You can do this by gently petting her legs and paws while giving her a treat. This will help to make it a more pleasant experience. Continue with the treats until your cat tolerates this kind of touching and restraint. It may take a little longer if she’s not used to having her legs or paws handled. Apply a small amount of pressure to her paw with your thumb on top of her paw and your index finger underneath— until a claw is extended. Don’t cut into this pink portion, as it will bleed and be painful for your cat. If you cut off just the sharp tip of the claw, the “hook,” it will dull the claw and prevent extensive damage to household objects and to your skin.
WE DO NOT support the practice of declawing felines.