Claws and Effect: Saving Your Couch From Your Cat's Claws

Outside, cats love nothing more than scratching a rough tree trunk or a wooden fence post. Inside, they'll choose anything that will let them mark their territory and get a good stretch. And the rougher the surface the better.

Here are some things cats love to scratch even more than the couch.
-- Wide honeycomb cardboard scratching pads.
-- Wide scratching pads on an angle, like the Alpine Scratcher.
-- Tall, stable scratching posts covered with carpet or sisal. The post should be at least 33" high and stable enough that the cat won't feel like it's going to topple over on her while she's scratching.
-- A pile of logs.
-- A big tree stump
-- A piece of wood, like an old table or chair leg.
-- Doormats.
-- Carpet remnants.
-- Carpet remnants or throw rugs, reverse side up. Secure them with duct tape or the leg of a table or chair. They won't be fun to scratch if they keep moving around.
-- Rattan and wicker. A wicker child's chair or laundry hamper could make your cat very happy!
-- Large cardboard cartons. They're great for hiding, too. Put some tissue paper inside and sprinkle some catnip on it.

Remember, one of the reasons cats scratch is to mark their territory visually and with their scent. So put a scratching post near the entrance to a room so your cat can let the world know that space belongs to him.

Another prime location for a scratching pad or post is near your cat's favorite place for naps. There's nothing cats love more than a luxurious stretch after a long nap.

Cat paws come with claws for many good reasons. Here are just a few:

SURVIVAL: Front claws are vital tools for hunting. If a declawed, indoor cat gets lost outside, she's at a severe disadvantage if she must catch her food.

POSTURE: Cats walk on their toes, not the soles of their feet like most mammals. Without claws, they're forced to put most of their weight on the large central paw pads of their feet, and that's unnatural, uncomfortable and can injure the joints in their legs and spines.

TRACTION: When walking or running, cats need their claws for balance and making sharp turns.

CREATING SIGNPOSTS: One of the reasons cats scratch is to mark their territories visually and with their scent. That's why cats continue to scratch after they're declawed. How frustrating to create a "visual signpost" that no one can see!

PSYCHOLOGICAL COMFORT: Cats find psychological comfort in kneading. And it's just not the same when the tops of your toes are gone.

A GOOD STRETCH: Cats need to stretch the muscles in their backs and legs. Really stretching those muscles is not possible for a cat who has no claws and can't get a grip on a rough surface.

GROOMING: Cats lick and bite their fur to keep it in top condition. They also "comb" it with their claws. Claws get rid of skin irritations, dislodge dead hair and comb out tangles in the fur. Sure, a human with a comb can help. But imagine what it must be like to never be able to scratch the itch on the top of your head! And did you ever try to comb a cat's stomach?

GETTING A GRIP: Climbing is second nature to cats, and it's an instinct that's not turned off when a cat loses its claws. But without claws, a jumping cat can't get a grip on a tree trunk, a windowsill or even a couch. Without the pinpoint contact of the tips of the claws, the cat can slip and
crash to the ground. How frightening for an animal who thinks her very life can depend on being surefooted.

HAVING FUN: To a cat, play is a form of hunting. A declawed cat never has the satisfaction of grasping a toy.

Photo:
© John Emmaneel | Dreamstime.com