She doesn't shred them like she would when she's playing with the scratch posts, but she's causing damage. Scratching is a natural feline behavior much like grooming and urine marking. She will scratch those instead. If you answered yes, we urge you to continue reading because we will list and discuss the top reasons why cats love doing it. But this surgical procedure has been hotly debated by cat parents and veterinarians. Cats and Scratching. Cats scratch walls to stake their claim over that part of the house. And scratching isn’t the only thing they’ll do when they are not getting enough exercise or activity. Another reason is to mark their territory. A cat angry because you haven’t had time playing with him may release his frustration by leaving claw marks on your wall. This way, they can exercise their muscles, particularly the tendons in the paws, to maintain their capability to protract and retract claws. Tips on How to Prevent Your Cat from Scratching Walls, #1: A Lot More Time for Cuddling and Playing, #2: Provide Him with Alternative Outlets for Scratching, How often does your cat scratch the walls? This will help him feel more secure. Continue reading to find out more about the reasons cats scratch below: Scent marking is one of the many ways by which cats communicate with each other—the others being vocalization and body language. Just don’t think of declawing and punishing your cat because it can ruin your relationship with him. Even though there is no soil to scratch or move around, this behavior remains present in cats because it is related to an instinct. At the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of this feline nature. Is it an attempt to clean their paws of any mess they may have stepped on? Declawing isn’t exactly a simple nail removal. Cats scratching the wall helps them keep their claws healthy and clean, Scratching a hard surface helps remove the dead outer sheath from your cats claws, Your cat may be scratching the wall to get your attention. Even though they use their scratching post!!! A lot of cats tend to scratch walls when they are feeling stressful and anxious. If you’re concerned about the health of your pet you should seek medical advice from a vet. If you catch your cat scratching the wallseval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'catloverhere_com-leader-3','ezslot_8',156,'0','0'])); And if you’re shouting at them for something they think is normal, It will upset your cat and possibly cause her to become afraid of you. When cats scratch walls or furniture they leave a scent behind. To give you an idea, a scratching post that’s at least 31 inches tall should be good enough for your cat to play with and save your walls from claw marks. However, one of my cats has started scratching at the walls and I have no idea why. Jeremy Vaughn is a member of Canadian Professional Pet Stylists, who lives in Winnipeg. If there is any small change in the cat’s environment or daily routine, then it could be the possible reason for increased stress levels of the cat. It’s also possible that your cat gets stressed because of changes in the environment like home remodeling or re-arranging. An itch that must be scratched. Coffee Names for Cats: For that Strong and Energetic... How To Get Your Cat To Sleep With You: 9 Easy Steps. In the wild, cats scratch … What do you do when you are happy? You can do this by taking a soft cloth and then wiping it around your pet’s face. Here are some reasons why your cat might be scratching the walls, the sides of the litter box, or the floor just outside the box: Your cat may be marking her territory. You don’t want him to become bored, right? Moreover, claws are very useful for cats. Trimmed nails, scratchers and cute cat trees are great starts, but chances are, you’ll need … These cat accessories will enable your cats to relax and watch what’s happening around them, giving them more peace of mind in the process. This behavior can be a source of frustration, especially for first-time cat owners. Scratching a wall may help a kitty stretch out her physique -- totally understandable for a cat that spends her entire day indoors. You want to make sure you get one that your cat will love, I have written a in depth article on my top 5 recommendations, You can check it our by clicking the link below. Some cat owners are worried that they aren’t giving their pets enough attention, leading them to go crazy and fixate on things that don’t really exist. i bought them plenty of things that are suppose to be scratched.. not the wall. Fleas are often the culprits behind compulsive cat scratching or cat licking behaviors. Bored cats often try to amuse themselves when they are bored, which explains why they would scratch excessively. It also may give the forelimbs a little much-needed workout. The only thing he destructively scratches is the couch. Shadows and Reflections. So never think of yelling at your cat or squirting a water gun whenever you catch him scratching the wall. You can also restrict your pet’s access to other parts of the house, so he can focus on making himself secure in one or two rooms. Moreover, declawing won’t deter your cat from scratching the walls. Litter Box Is Not Big Enough - This is probably the main reason why your cat is scratching on the walls furiously. Catloverhere.com does not provide veterinary advice. That’s righteval(ez_write_tag([[970,90],'catloverhere_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',120,'0','0'])); Cats do mark their territory with spraying. Do share that and any other opinions in the comments section below! Active 6 months ago. There are several vet-approved ways to prevent your cat from scratching the wall, but punishing your cat is not one of those. Which Cat Scratching Tree Should I Get For My Cat? They may also resort to chewing or licking misbehaviors when they are not being stimulated. Let’s get startedeval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'catloverhere_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',116,'0','0'])); But when they start doing things that causes us cat parents problems then this can become really frustrating, And one problem that can be really annoying is. Your cat is scratching your walls at night for a few possible reasons. Even seemingly harmless scenarios like parties can stress out your cat and lead to more scratches on the wall. Are you one of those people who ask: ‘why do cats scratch walls?’. Install a scratching post! It may save your walls from those ugly marks, but your cat will still do it. Do all cats scratch furniture? In truth, it is the amputation of the cat’s bones at the tips of the paws. They use it to scratch an itch, to have a good grip while balancing on surfaces, to play, and to hoist their bodies up on a perch. Scratching helps cats remove the outer shell of their nails – something like natural nail cutting. Our favorite animal is blessed with incredibly sharp claws. … Do you leave your cat alone at home most of the time? I’m sure you’d want to sleep and not hear your cat scratching the wall, Your cat may scratch the walls to relief tension, Cats can get stressed too and to release that stress they will scratch the wall, Scratching the wall helps soothe your cat too and gives them some sort of comfort, After all, cats find comfort in their own individual scent, So now that we know why your cat is scratching the walls, Let’s look at what you can do to stop this behavior, You need to divert their attention to a different object. These cat trees are awesome and at a very good price! What you will need to stop it happening Of course, domesticated cats won’t use their claws for hunting, but the behavior is a hardwired activity for them that they would be compelled to do it from time to time. Our pets have scent glands located in various parts of their bodies like the cheeks and the paws. So make sure that you provide him with enough time for cuddling and playing. How to Keep Cats Away from Your Christmas Tree: Keep... Why Do Cats Eyes Glow: Caring for Your Cat’s Amazing... Why Does My Cat Stare At Me: What Hides Behind the... Can Cats Have Strokes: How to Recognize It and Treat... What Does It Mean When You Dream About Cats:... How to Draw Cat Paws: The Cuteness on a Piece of... DIY Outdoor Cat House for Winter: Making a... Mixed Breed Cats: Jack of All Trades, Master of... Can Cats Have Strokes: How to Recognize It and... Asian Cat Names: Exotic and Unique Names for Your Pet. Scratching develops in cats at an early age. Cats scratch for a number of reasons. If you have the same worry, you are probably much too attuned to your pet to withhold stimulation. Claws are also useful for cats when defending themselves, as they can rely on it when climbing to safety or simply defending themselves. Do you have any ideas that we haven’t mentioned in this article? Why do cats scratch the wall? He'll do it around midnight, 3am, 4am or sometimes all three! I m not sure why. As the kitty scratches the wall, the points on its outside husk wear down. These include hiding, defecating outside of his litter box, and excessive grooming. i dont want to get them declawed either. What Should You Do When Your Cat Stares at The Wall. Scratch marks all over the walls!eval(ez_write_tag([[970,250],'catloverhere_com-banner-1','ezslot_4',119,'0','0'])); But wait, don’t cats mark their territory by spraying? This can be frustrating for cat owners, sometimes leading them to consider declawing their cats. Parasites. Scratching has several functions – one of the most important being to keep a cat’s hunting weapons sharp. There are several ways to prevent your cat from scratching the walls. Cats who scratch the floor or wall after using the litter box are usually making a comment about the litter box itself and or the litter that is being used. While scratching is a natural behaviour, you can deter them from ruining your furniture. Not in a destructive manner. And in some instances, it can simply be his way of releasing pent-up emotions. Find out more about cats scratching and why they do it. Now that you have an idea on the possible reasons behind your cat scratching the wall, you may be asking: ‘what can I do to deter him from continuing this behavior?’. They love to roll around, throw litter around or even scratch inside it. Viewed 10k times 2. But here is the scary part. I know it’s easy to sayeval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'catloverhere_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',126,'0','0'])); She’ll be scratching the scratch posts on the cat tree instead of the walls, This will attract your cat to the cat tree, You can also place cat treats on the cat tree, When your cat is scratching the walls and completely destroying it, Your cat is behaving how they they naturally behave, To encorouge your cat not to use the walls to scratch, This will stop your cat from scratching up the walls, Please leave a comment and let me know how you got your cat to stop scratching the walls. I’m confident you’ll love my recommendations! Make Use of a Scratching Post. You’ve gone out for some shoppingeval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'catloverhere_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_12',117,'0','0'])); Only to see that your beautiful and expensive wallpaper is completely ruined! 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