Scratching the furniture

Cats scratch to keep their claws sharp and in trim, but they also use it as a way of marking their territory and showing other cats that they live there.

Cats have scent glands on the pads of their paws, so as well as leaving a visual sign of scratch marks for other cats they are also leaving a scent mark for other cats to smell.

This is ok when it happens in the garden but the problem arises when they decide to do it indoors on the furniture. If they are using the furniture just to sharpen their claws then providing them with a scratching post can help, but you also need to redirect them from the furniture. 

Do not hide the post away in the corner and expect the cat to go and find it. Position the post by the area they are scratching. Rub you hands over the post so you put your scent on it.

Cats often scratch the sofa because it is in a prominent place and your scent will be quite strong on it. When cats sharpen their claws they like to stretch up to their full length so make sure the post you buy is tall enough.

If it is too short the cat will probably continue to use the sofa.

When your cat gets used to using the post you can gradually move it to a less prominent position.

If your cat is scratching the furniture to leave visual and scent marks then this is usually a sign that something is making it feel stressed and anxious in or out of the house.

Another cat may be coming in through the cat flap when you are not there, so you will need to observe your cat and see if you can find out what is distressing it.

There is no point shouting at or punishing your cat for scratching furniture, as for a cat this is a perfectly natural behaviour. It may appear to work if he stops temporarily, but it will not stop him coming back later and doing the same thing.

You need to give him an alternative.

Hunting

Hunting is an integral part of a cats behaviour and there is little you can do to stop it. 

If the thought of having dead bodies presented to you is completely unacceptable then you may need to think twice about whether a cat is the right pet for you.

 Cats are opportunist hunters. In the wild they never know when their next meal will be, so they will always be on the alert for prey.

Even though you provide them with food each day cats live for the moment, so as far as they are concerned, that food might not be there tomorrow.

Our cats are still quite independent creatures and have always retained the ability to look after themselves if the need arises.

The only way you might be able to lessen this behaviour is to give your cat a collar with a bell, but make sure it is a quick release one in case it get caught on something. You could also try keeping them indoors at dawn and dusk when small mammals are at their most active.  

A cat’s eyesight is also at its best at these times, so this is their preferred hunting time.   Hunting is instinctive to cats, some are better than others but it is a part of the cats behaviour we have to accept if we want them in our lives.

IF YOU NEED ADVICE, PLEASE TELEPHONE US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS WE MAY BE ABLE TO HELP.

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