How to Stop your Cat from Scratching the Carpet
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Dec 12, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 12, 2023
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Did you know that when your cat’s claws rake the carpet, she is fulfilling three nature functions at once? (Four, if you include making you mad!)
- Maintaining her nails in purr-fect condition
- Identifying her territory with scent
- Exercising her back muscles
Does that make you feel better about the loss of a priceless Chinese rug? Perhaps not.
So if scratching is a behavior you could live without, here’s a quick zip through why cats scratch and how to stop them. By understanding what motivates this aggravating behavior you can psyche the cat out and prevent it happening.
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Scratching The Carpet Feels Good
Softwood is an open invitation to clawing as it feels so nice under the paws. Try offering your cat a scratching post that has this feel-good factor. If you can find a piece of wood that you can dent with your thumb, then kitty’s going to love it and it will become a firm favorite.
Be careful to pick scratching posts made of materials that will appeal to your cat. This is a case of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” If kitty prefers to rip up carpet, then tack a piece of carpet offcut or remnant onto a post. (This can get a little expensive if her preference is oriental rugs.)
Be aware that many store-bought scratching posts are made with plastic rope – which cats hate. Do yourself a favor and only invest in scratching posts covered with natural material such as sisal.
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Purr-fect Positioning Is Key To Saving The Carpets
Cat psychology says that cats like to stretch and scratch upon waking. Place a scratching post beside her favorite sleeping spot and get set for success. Just be sure the post is well anchored so it feels secure under the paw. Nothing is more off-putting than a wobbly scratching post, and if she fears it’s going to topple over it will get the cold shoulder.
Also, know that cats like to scratch by entrances and exits (this goes back to marking their territory). Make use of this fact and put scratching posts beside doorways, and give kitty a helping paw to develop good habits.
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Scent-sationally Enticing Away From Scratching The Carpet
You know how the cat keeps going back to the same spot on the sofa? Well, this is because she’s scent marked it. An outdoor cat scratches as a signal to other cats that this is her patch. Your cat isn’t just being obnoxious when she claws your dining chairs, she’s depositing minute traces of scent signature from her paws onto the wood. So why not make use of scent to attract kitty to the scratching post?
Do this by rubbing the scent glands on her face with a clean, dry washcloth, and then rub the washcloth on the scratching post. The cat’s scent glands lie along her cheekbones, where she rubs her face on your shins. Repeat the scent gland treatment as needed.
Also, spritz the scratch post with Feliway. This is a synthetic version of feline facial pheromones (try saying that in a hurry) and is to scent what a loudspeaker is to sound. It will make the scratching post instantly more attractive and increase the chances of her using it.
How Is Your Cat Scratching Horizontal or Vertical?
Does your cat prefer scratching horizontally or vertically? If you’re not sure, take a look at the damage. If kitty wrecks mostly the carpets or rugs, you have a horizontal scratcher; the sofa or wallpaper and it’s vertical.
This matters because it’s how your cat likes to stretch out her muscles and feels comfortable. Pander to her desires by providing a scratching post that matches this preference and she’s far more likely to use it.
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
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How To Stop Bad Behavior
OK, this next bit sounds counter-intuitive but bear with it.
As kitty rakes her claws down the best flock wallpaper, resist the urge to shout at her. The reasons shouting doesn’t work are two-fold:
- It gives her attention, so you run the risk of rewarding the bad behavior with attention, which encourages rather than deters the behavior.
- She associates the punishment with you, so waits until you’re gone THEN scratches the wallpaper.
What you need is an “Act of God” happening when she claws the carpet.
This means she gets a mild shock which she associates with scratching and so desists. On no account hurt her, the aim is to create an unpleasant surprise, such as the clatter of pebbles in a plastic bottle landing beside her. Don’t let her see you throw the rattle, so its arrival seems truly supernatural. That way she won’t link the deterrent to you and behaves in your absence.
Does your cat’s scratching have you tearing your hair out? Share stories of what your cat sharpens her claws on and help make other people feel better.
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We have worked hard to provide you with all the free resources possible to help give you insight into the best pet insurance for cats, additional cat breeds info, common cat health issues, and a fun look at frequently asked cat questions.
Other Frequently asked cat questions and some unsolicited catty advice…
Why your cat ignores you when you call it?
How to stop your cat from scratching the carpet?
Can you make a feral cat a pet?
Why does my cat pee outside the litter box?
Why do people walk their cats on a leash?
4 Ways to prepare for a new kitten
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Why changing your cat’s food is risky
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I stop my cat from scratching the carpet?
Understanding your cat’s behavior is crucial. Cats scratch for various reasons, including stretching muscles and marking territory. Provide appropriate scratching posts with materials your cat prefers, and use scent markings and strategic positioning to encourage the desired behavior.
Why does my cat scratch the carpet, and how can I redirect this behavior?
Cats scratch to mark territory and stretch. Offer scratching posts with materials your cat likes. Use scent markings and strategic placement of posts to redirect scratching behavior.
How do I know if my cat is a horizontal or vertical scratcher?
Observe the damage. If your cat damages carpets, it’s a horizontal scratcher; if it’s furniture or wallpaper, it’s a vertical scratcher. Provide a scratching post that matches your cat’s preference.
How can I deter my cat from scratching unwanted areas?
Instead of shouting, use a deterrent like a mild shock (non-harmful) or a surprise noise when your cat scratches inappropriately. Associate the deterrent with the scratching behavior to discourage it.
How can I use scent to attract my cat to a scratching post?
Rub the scent glands on your cat’s face with a washcloth, then rub the washcloth on the scratching post. Additionally, use synthetic feline facial pheromones (Feliway) on the post to make it more appealing.
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap pet insurance rates.
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.