_{Cat Behavior & Training > Cat Behavior 101 > Destructive Scratching by Cats}

Destructive and painful scratching is a source of disruption in many households occupied by cats. It is one of the top reasons cats are either declawed, abandoned or surrendered to shelters. Cat lovers often face a quandry when they also love their nice furniture and thick, lush carpeting. No one wants to live with sofa arms and drapes shredded and tattered, or carpet strings pulled up, yet few of us are willing to give up our cats, either.

However, you must put yourself in your cat's boots for a few minutes. Cats do not scratch furniture with malicious intent. It is part of their regular self-maintenance program to keep their claws nice and sharp for self defense.

The good news is that you can prevent illegal scratching with the combined resources offered here.

How to Manage Your Cat's Claws
A kitten's paws are like the hands of babies. As they grow, they will become more and more important tools for life, and claws are an essential part of cats' paws. And like babies, they may use those tools in destructive ways unless they are trained.

Please learn to respect your cat's claws. Never even consider declawing as an option, nor getting rid of the cat. Instead, consider the training options you need to use, even as you'd train an errant toddler.

Before You Buy Scratching Posts for Cats
Just like humans, cats need exercise, and scratching posts provide the ideal format. Cats stretch and pull against the scratching surfaces to limber their bodies, as well as to "sharpen" their claws (by removing the sheaths that cover them).

Be generous with scratching posts - cats love and need a variety of surfaces and planes, so scatter a few throughout the house.

Top Cats' Scratching Posts and Pads
Every cat should own several scratching posts, of varying size, angle, and scratching surface. Scratching posts are essential to cats, for needed exercise, stress relief, and claw management, and will save wear and tear on furniture and carpeting, as well. With scratching posts, costs are not necessarily a factor, as the inexpensive corregated cardboard pads are a favorite with cats.

Aids to Prevent Destructive Scratching
Cats need to scratch; it is an ingrained need to help maintain their main source of defense, and to develop strong sinewy muscles and connective tissue.

Destructive scratching need not be a problem if you recognize and respect this need to scratch, and provide allowable alternatives to your furniture. You can also trim claws, use soft nail caps, and use other means of discouraging destructive scratching. These are my top choices for aids to prevent destructive scratching by cats.

How to Trim Your Cat's Claws
Trimming your cat's claws is the humane answer to declawing. Start with a relaxed, sleepy cat, sharp clippers and a good light source, for best results. Regular human toenail or fingernail clippers work well, as well as guillotine-type cat clippers.

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