How To Manage Your Cat’s Claws

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Cats may be domesticated animals, but they still hold many of their more wild traits. Scratching is one of those traits that humans can find annoying. It can ever be a deal breaker if the cat ends up hurting you or a loved on. Learn how to set boundaries with your cat and help them get their scratching urges out in the proper spots.

Claws are very important to a cat’s health. Your cat may be an indoor cat, but you want them to be protected if they escape. Claws help your cat climb up trees if being chased by a dog if they accidentally get out. They also use their claws when they play with their toys in the house. Don’t rush to get your catch de-clawed at the first sign of trouble. Work with them so they will learn what is acceptable. You will feel at ease knowing your cat has their claws if they do rush out the door.

Is your cat scratching up your furniture? Keep a can of pennies near you. If you see your cat getting ready to scratch something they are not supposed to, shake the can real fast. It should scare the cat. Consistent use will teach the cat that whenever they try to scratch the couch, they get scared. It is an effective way to get them to stop.

Avoid damaged furniture during the trial period of cat training by getting some soft nail caps for your cat. Nail caps are glued to your cat’s nails and they are soft on the outside. This means no scratches! They can last for over a month and come in wacky colors. Once you have your cat trained, you will no longer need the caps! It is an easy solution to prevent damage while training.

Your cat will need a place to scratch. Invest in some scratching pads for your cat. You can find them in any pet store. Most of them are made of cardboard and cats love them. My cats have never even attempted to scratch the furniture because they love their cardboard scratches so much. This lets them fulfill their natural instinct while avoiding damage to your home.

Sometimes your cat will accidentally scratch you during play. Maybe your hand got too close with the toy while playing. It can happen and the cat doesn’t have malicious intent. It can still happen though, so trim your cat’s claws so they are not so sharp. I know when my cat’s claws are too long because his claws will start snagging on the carpet. Invest in a proper cat nail clipper. Human nail clippers are not designed for trimming cat nails and can do more harm than good.

Remember to be always be patient with your cat. It takes time to train. Be sure to reward the cat when they use their own scratcher with a treat!

About the Author: Andrea is a blogger for Smith Monitoring, the best Houston home alarm company. She loves everything cat related…as you can tell!