Social Behaviour Problems
Territorial Marking
- destruction of furniture and drapes
- the third most common complaint
- occurs in both males and females
- the behaviour may start at a very early age
- not all cats scratch (mark their territory)
- intensity varies widely
- inherited behaviour which can be altered by learning (learn from queen)
- train kitten early
- scratching is more frequent after sleeping
- scratching is not a function of nail sharpening
Factors affecting the use of a scratching post
- cats repeatedly return to the same scratched object
- there is no universally accepted scratch-attractive material
- generally cats like a loose longitudinal weave (bark)
- scratching post - stable
- 4” x 6”
- taller than cat
- placed near sleeping area
Offensive and Defensive Scratching
- used in threats
- claws generally only cause superficial damage
- the teeth are the major weapon
Declawing
- immediate results-can’t destroy furnishings
- painful post-operatively (2-4 weeks). The older the cat, the longer the period of pain
- declawed cats are at a disadvantage outside for several days, until they learn their limitations (climbing large trees)
- declawed cats are generally as good at hunting as cats with claws
- rear claws are not removed
- there seems to be no obvious psychological disadvantage-cats continue to scratch after claws are removed.
Anatomy, Surgery & Aftercare
- declawing may be necessary if the choice is either euthanasia or declawing after every attempt has been made to have the cat use a scratching post
- however distasteful the concept of declawing is to each of us, it must be realized that it may be the only option open to a cat owner who loves the cat and wishes to keep it in today’s highly urbanized upholstered environment.
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