by (( Nikki ))

Created on: November 03, 2009

You've brought her home. That cute, fuzzy little bundle of trouble with the astounding purr and sharp little claws. She's just a darling. Until you realize that her favorite pastimes include climbing your new drapes, ripping up your favorite chair, and christening your freshly painted walls with claw marks.

Cats make excellent pets. They require far less training than dogs and you don't have to walk them with snowballs hitting you in the behind just so they can relieve themselves. They do, however, come with one slight behavior flaw. They thoroughly enjoy clawing the heck out of things. Unless you

train them to use only appropriate articles for this activity, they have no reason not to decide to make new art out of your upholstery.

So why do cats claw up your precious furniture and walls?

== Marking Territory ==

Cats have scent glands in their feet and near their cheeks, among other places. When they rub their faces against an item, they are claiming it. Similarly, when they scratch a surface, they are marking the territory as their own.

Instinctively, a cat will want to mark both at her eye level (face rubbing) and as high as she can reach (scratching). Walls and furniture, especially near corners, are ideal for this activity. Claw marks, for her, are a bonus. They are a visual cue that this home is hers, too.

== Exercise ==

Clawing is one way your cat gets to exercise. He loves to stretch and flex his kitty muscles. A good grab, especially into a surface where his claws can catch, help him stretch his shoulders and "fingers". Couches and chairs fall victim to kitties that need to stretch. A sturdy sisal post placed in front of the preferred area may help convince him that there is a better place to meet his exercise needs. Make it more convenient for him to get to the post and he'll use that instead.

== Claw Health ==

Claws are not like a human's fingernails. Cat claws grow directly out of the bone of the toe. The claw is surrounded by a sheath. Regular scratching is required to keep the nail sheath and claw healthy. As the claw grows, the outer area around it sheds off, keeping the claw sharp and preventing it from growing around into the pad. Instinct requires the cat to scratch to help this process.

Regular trimming of your cat's claws will help minimize his need to scratch, as it won't become long enough to begin shedding. Clipping the nails will also minimize any damage if he does scratch at your walls, furniture, or carpet.

As you can see, your little troublemaker isn't really doing damage because she's an evil, vicious monster in a cute furry package. It's just instinct telling her to scratch. With a little training, a few strategically placed appropriate scratching items, and claw trimming (or SoftPaws), you can reclaim your walls and furniture as your own again.

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