Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching
- PMID: 30810089
- DOI: 10.1177/1098612X19831205
Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching
Abstract
Practical relevance: While scratching is a normal, beneficial behavior for cats, it can create problems when cats scratch objects owners deem as inappropriate. However, if veterinarians make suitable recommendations from the first veterinary visit, owners will be able to implement effective preventive strategies to develop good scratching patterns for life. Educating owners as to why cats scratch, how to guide cats to scratch only on desirable surfaces (ie, a scratching post), which types of scratching posts are preferred by most cats, the benefits of pheromone products, as well as other strategies to avoid destructive scratching, helps to preserve the cat-owner bond and reduces the risk of relinquishment.
Clinical challenges: Clients may not directly ask veterinarians for their assistance regarding their cat's destructive scratching, and may not be aware that anything can be done except for declawing their cat.
Evidence base: Published studies on scratching are limited. Destructive scratching has been documented as a reason for the relinquishment of cats to shelters and the negative effects of declaw surgeries are being increasingly discovered. Among recent scientific publications are studies assessing kitten and cat preferences for scratching substrates, and the use of pheromones to encourage appropriate scratching behavior. This review draws on these studies, among other resources, as well as the authors' personal experiences.
Keywords: Scratching behavior; client education; declaw; normal behaviors; onychectomy.
Similar articles
-
Common feline problem behaviors: Urine spraying.J Feline Med Surg. 2019 Mar;21(3):209-219. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19831203. J Feline Med Surg. 2019. PMID: 30810092 Review.
-
Common feline problem behaviours: Owner-directed aggression.J Feline Med Surg. 2019 Mar;21(3):245-255. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19831206. J Feline Med Surg. 2019. PMID: 30798644 Review.
-
Tools for Managing Feline Problem Behaviors: Pheromone therapy.J Feline Med Surg. 2018 Nov;20(11):1024-1032. doi: 10.1177/1098612X18806759. J Feline Med Surg. 2018. PMID: 30375946
-
Owner observations regarding cat scratching behavior: an internet-based survey.J Feline Med Surg. 2016 Oct;18(10):791-7. doi: 10.1177/1098612X15594414. Epub 2015 Jul 15. J Feline Med Surg. 2016. PMID: 26179574 Free PMC article.
-
Risk factors for relinquishment of cats to an animal shelter.J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996 Aug 1;209(3):582-8. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1996. PMID: 8755976
Cited by
-
Efficacy of the Feliway® Classic Diffuser in reducing undesirable scratching in cats: A randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study.PLoS One. 2023 Oct 18;18(10):e0292188. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292188. eCollection 2023. PLoS One. 2023. PMID: 37851638 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.
-
Development of a Cat Behaviour Issues Assessment Scale (CABIAS) Assessing Problem Behaviours in Cats.Animals (Basel). 2023 Sep 21;13(18):2992. doi: 10.3390/ani13182992. Animals (Basel). 2023. PMID: 37760392 Free PMC article.
-
The Effects of Onychectomy (Declawing) on Antebrachial Myology across the Full Body Size Range of Exotic Species of Felidae.Animals (Basel). 2023 Jul 30;13(15):2462. doi: 10.3390/ani13152462. Animals (Basel). 2023. PMID: 37570271 Free PMC article.
-
Pet Ownership in Aotearoa New Zealand: A National Survey of Cat and Dog Owner Practices.Animals (Basel). 2023 Feb 11;13(4):631. doi: 10.3390/ani13040631. Animals (Basel). 2023. PMID: 36830418 Free PMC article.
-
Unwanted Scratching Behavior in Cats: Influence of Management Strategies and Cat and Owner Characteristics.Animals (Basel). 2022 Sep 24;12(19):2551. doi: 10.3390/ani12192551. Animals (Basel). 2022. PMID: 36230292 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Miscellaneous