Have you ever found your cat scratching at your rug or chair? We’re guessing that most of you probably have. While our feline pals have many traits that we love and cherish, her nail-care habits aren’t quite that popular. A local Champions Forest, TX vet goes over some kitty peticure basics in this article.

A Deep-Set Need

It’s important to understand why your feline friend is scratching in the first place. Cats don’t scratch because they deliberately want to ruin our things. (We know, Fluffy may look quite proud of herself for ruining your armchair, but that really wasn’t her intent.) In the wild, kitties depend very much on their claws for survival. Keeping those paw daggers sharp isn’t a matter of vanity: it could save their lives! This is why you should never punish your pet for scratching. She won’t understand that she did anything wrong, as she was just following her natural instincts.

Choosing Scratching Posts

Make sure your furry little diva has a suitable nail-care station. This could be a scratching post or board, though the ideal option would of course be a cat tower. (Fluffy would love to have a real tree available, but that’s probably not very doable for most people.) There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your kitty’s scratching post. Make sure it’s tall enough to let her stretch as she scratches. You’ll also want to pick one that won’t wobble.

Petiquette

Are you having a hard time getting your furry friend to use her proper nail-care station? Try sprinkling catnip around it. Giving Fluffy praise and attention for using her scratcher can also help. Kitties love being complimented! If your furball is going at a sofa or chair, you may want to block her access to it. You can put a pet-safe potted plant in the way, or use a slipcover.

Options

If all else fails, you can consider clipping your feline buddy’s claws. This solution is painless and temporary, unlike permanent declawing. However, this is only a suitable option for indoor-only kitties that are either only pets or are closely bonded with their furry roommates. Otherwise, Fluffy may need her nails for defense! You can also ask your vet about claw caps.

Please contact us with any questions about your kitty’s health or care. As your Champions Forest, TX animal clinic, we’re here to help!