How to HaveNICE THINGSAs a cat parent

Roommates, no matter how much you love them, all come with their own particular set of annoyances and quirks. We've heard everything from the expected (eating your food without permission), to domestic oddities (washing undergarments in the dishwasher?!), to the completely destructive (shredding your newly upholstered armchair and matching ottoman) without any rhyme or reason.

That last particular roommate, of course, happens to be your cat. So, before you end up in a similar scenario—or call your upholsterer again— let's get into why cats scratch in the first place and how to redirect this behavior to something less problematic.

Scratching, clawing, plucking, kneading—whatever you'd like to call it, is a completely natural and instinctual behavior for cats. Scratching not only feels good, but it relieves stress, sharpens their claws, and allows them to mark their territory by leaving behind a scent from their paws. So, in the complex mind of a cat, they're not doing anything wrong at all.

And since it's a near impossibility to completely stop this inherent feline behavior—and you certainly don't want a home full of tattered furniture— it's important to teach your cat to redirect his rituals.

If you notice your cat doing the wake-stretch-and-pluck routine on your bedding or furniture, make sure he's getting plenty of exercise. This action isn't much different than when we get out of bed or stand up after sitting at a computer for far too long—we just don't shred the duvet in the process. It's essential that cats stretch out their muscles, flex their claws, and get moving, so make sure to work in regular playtime, which will aid in lessening this behavior. A healthy diet ensures he has plenty of energy for these fun and beneficial play sessions. IAMS™ ProActive Health™ Indoor Weight & Hairball Care, with chicken as its first ingredient, supports your cat’s healthy diet and weight-loss regimen. If your cat prefers a wet diet, IAMS™ Perfect Portions™ Healthy Adult recipes support vision with taurine and nourishes a healthy heart with balanced minerals.

Cats don't scratch because they're mad or being vindictive, though they may do it to get your attention. In their mind, if they're feeling ignored, even negative attention can be better than nothing. Scolding won't likely stop his bad behavior, so swiftly redirect him to a sanctioned scratching outpost, which we'll get into. When you see your cat being the very bestest-most-lovingest-well-behaved-little-kitty-in-the-wholeentire- world, tell him! Petting, praising, and plenty of treats positively reinforce his "good" actions and let him know how happy you are that he's doing something that you approve of, hopefully leading to less of the bad behavior.

To start, deter your cat from scratching your things by applying doublesided tape sheets to his favorite areas. Then redirect him to a pawfriendly alternative. Scratching posts are a go-to favorite, though some kitties prefer corrugated cardboard scratch pads. Place scratching posts near his favorite spots and add some cat nip to increase appeal.

Try a variety of posts at different heights and place them in rooms where your cat spends most of his time. A larger scratcher might seem extravagant, but cats really enjoy a full body stretch, so they're often preferred over smaller versions. Posts come in a variety of textures (sisal, carpet, wood, cardboard), so test until you can find options that appeal to your cat.

According to IAMS.com, "It’s important to create stimulating places for entertainment and play, as well. Cats can benefit from spaces at different vertical levels, like cat trees and perches. A variety of scratching posts can teach your kitten appropriate scratching while nurturing their natural instincts, and protect your furniture and carpet from their sharp claws."

If you find that your cat is still drawn to the areas he scratched and "marked" with his scent, try cleaning the spot with a specially formulated odor remover for pets.

If scratching furniture is unusual for your cat and he’s suddenly started, try to get to the bottom of what could be causing this change in behavior. Dr. Angela Hughes DVM PhD, the Science Advocacy Senior Manager at Mars Petcare, reminds us to “keep in mind they don’t generally do things out of spite. There’s usually a reason for the change.” Did you move to a new home? Are you not home as often as usual? Is there a new member of the household like a baby or pet? Again, try to be positive and redirect his emotions into something else. If you suspect it may be a healthrelated change, schedule an appointment with your vet.

Remember, scratching is a natural cat behavior, and it's your role to support your furry roommate with alternatives, guidance, and tons of positive reinforcement.

By guiding and redirecting your cat's inherent instincts to a more petfriendly outlet, he can enjoy the benefits of scratching and you can enjoy your nice things.