Chinchilla Cat

    Cats need scratching boards because they have the habit of scratching their claws. Most owners will equip their cats with scratching boards, but some cats are very naughty and scratch walls instead of using the scratching board. We must stop this bad habit of cats to prevent them from causing more damage. So, how to stop cats from scratching walls with their claws?

    1. What to do when cats scratch walls with their claws

    Cats scratch walls, furniture, and trees for two purposes: one is to remove the dead outer shell of their claws through the scratching action, exposing the new sharp claws; the other is to leave their scent by scratching, marking their territory and sending territorial signals to other cats.

    Sweat glands on a cat's paws secrete a scent. When cats scratch furniture or walls, this scent is left behind. These familiar scents make cats feel safe at home, and also tell other cats in the house: "This is my territory!" Cats that feel unsafe at home may scratch more. This insecurity can be caused by the arrival of a new cat, changes in the home environment (moving house, rearranging furniture, buying new furniture, etc.). There may also be habitual factors. The author believes cats like the feeling of scratching wallpaper. For a cat, digging its claws into wallpaper and watching small pieces fall off to become their toys may be very satisfying. The thicker the wallpaper, the greater their "achievement!" If a cat often scratches near the door, this may indicate they believe potential "intruders" will come from there.

    There are several methods to try to stop cats from scratching walls. Prove to the cat that no other cats will enter the house to increase their sense of security. You can place a doormat at the door. After returning from a friend’s home with cats, wipe your feet at the door, take off your coat quickly upon entering, store your bag away, and change into clothes with a familiar scent for the cat. Use a soft towel to rub the sides of the cat’s cheeks to gather its scent on the towel, then wipe the places the cat has scratched with this towel. However, some habits are hard to eliminate, so it is recommended to paint the wall slightly, and once the cat loses interest in the wall, reapply wallpaper.