However, as much as this behavior may be necessary for a cat’s health and wellbeing, no one can deny that scratching can be destructive to the home. Scratching is one of the most common complaints from cat owners, and the first step in dealing with the unwanted behavior is understanding that scratching is a necessary piece of a cat’s wellbeing. Instead of discouraging the behavior altogether, the healthy alternative is to drive the scratching towards an option that won’t destroy the home. Read below for some helpful tips on how to encourage healthy scratching:

Scratching Posts
The best option is to use scratching tools. Place scratching posts or scratching boards in areas where you spend a lot of time. This way, your cat can create a presence in the home and positively share your favorite spaces with you. If you notice your cat continues to scratch in an unwanted area, work with that knowledge and offer a positive scratching option next to or near the established scratching spot.

Types of Scratchers
It’s important to have both vertical and horizontal scratching surfaces. Scratchers should be tall and long so your cat can stretch all the way out before pulling down/back on the surface. As for what type of cat scratcher material to use, it’s can be helpful to choose a material that is different from other items in your home. For example, if you don’t want your cat to scratch on the carpet, then don’t get scratchers covered in carpeting. This will help to reduce scratching on unwanted surfaces in the future.

No-Yes
You can also try the “No-Yes” method, which reinforces where the scratching is unwanted while providing a positive replacement location. For example, double-sided tape has an unwanted texture that causes an adverse reaction when your cat tries to scratch it. If you place the tape on the unwanted scratching spot and put a scratcher right next to it, this reinforces the “no” while redirecting the scratching to an accepted space, the “yes.” There are other textures and methods to reinforce the “no,” but double-sided tape is easy to find, inexpensive, and some brands are designed specifically to prevent scratching and are safe on fabric. You can even add extra enticement by sprinkling or spraying catnip on the scratcher.

In addition to scratching options, having a “cat-only” zone can help, too, as it offers your cat the option of a private space to retreat to when feeling moody, instead of resorting to defensive scratching. Also make sure you regularly trim your cat’s nails. This will prevent accidental scratches and snags which can trigger further scratching. Another option to consider is the use of nail coverings, which are available at most pet retail locations. You can apply nail caps to your cat’s nails yourself and they last around 4 to 6 weeks. As you can see, there are a variety of options that can help remedy unwanted cat scratching, but whatever you choose to do, DO NOT declaw your cat.

Declawing
Dr. Ann Marie Woyma, Virginia Beach SPCA’s Medical Director, explains that in order to actually prevent the nail from growing back, which is the purpose of the declawing procedure, you must remove at least half of the joint. This means declawing is bone surgery, not a nail trim. This procedure is similar to amputating every fingertip on a human hand. As the body heals, the scar tissue that forms can cause arthritis in a cat’s joints while also negatively impacting the scent glands in the paws. Since the scent glands can no longer be used appropriately, a declawed cat cannot establish a presence in the home which can lead to mental and emotional issues.

Paw sensitivity is another concern, and kitty litter may begin to irritate a cat’s paws. This irritation can lead to a negative association with using the litter box. Additionally, declawing a cat can impact a cat’s ability to positively interact with other animals and people. Declawed cats have lost a natural form of communication, so they are less likely to get along with other pets. They feel more vulnerable, so they are more likely to use biting a defense since they can no longer use a warning swat. Bottom line: the surgery puts an animal through unnecessary pain and trauma while also resulting in mental, emotional, and behavioral issues.

Declawing has become such an ethical issue that many countries that have already banned declawing procedures. The surgery is against the law in the United Kingdom, much of the European Union, Australia, and at least 10 other countries around the world. While declawing is not yet banned in all of the United States, at least five states currently have or are in the process of creating anti-declaw legislation.

The Virginia Beach SPCA does not condone declawing. All feline adopters sign a written statement agreeing that they will not declaw any cat adopted from our shelter. 

Lilies
Toxic to: Cats
Level of toxicity: Moderate to severe
The most dangerous lilies for cats are “true lilies” from the Lilium and Hemerocallis species. Benign lilies, like Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies, are still moderately toxic to your cat but not as dangerous. Examples of lethal lilies include:

• Easter lilies
• Asiatic hybrid lilies
• Japanese show lilies
• Rubrum lilies
• Stargazer lilies
• Red lilies
• Tiger lilies
• Western lilies
• Wood lilies (Lilium species)
• Daylilies (Hemerocallis species)
• Even small ingestions – including pollen or water from the vase – may result in severe, acute kidney failure.

Common signs to watch for:

• Low or no appetite
• Lethargy and/or hiding
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Increased or decreased thirst or urination
• Diarrhea
• Painful abdomen
• Difficulty breathing

If you suspect your cat may have ingested any part of a lily, or any other potentially toxic substance, immediately take them (and the plant) to your veterinarian or local emergency vet as soon as possible for treatment.

24/7 Hotlines are also available:

• Animal Poison Control Center (APCC): 888-426-4435 ($65 consultation fee may apply)
• Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661 ($59 per incident fee applies)

Help practice responsible pet ownership by keeping your cat indoors and not allowing your cat to roam outside. You may feel that a life inside is too restrictive for your little hunter, but indoor cats can live up to 6 times longer than outdoor cats, which makes keeping your cat indoors the best choice if you want to share a long life with your feline friend.

Not convinced? Here are a few more reasons why living indoors is a a safer and healthier option for your cat.

Sickness and disease.
Indoor cats are not exposed to parasites and other communicable diseases to which outdoor cats are susceptible. Ticks, fleas, intestinal parasites, ringworm, and ear mites are just a few of the dangers that can threaten your cat’s health and wellbeing. However, these dangers don’t just threaten your cat, your cat’s exposure to them can threaten other animals in your home, including you. If you live in an area with other outdoor cats, your cat can be exposed to the many contagious diseases among felines, such as feline leukemia (FeLV), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and feline interstitial peritonitis (FIP), all of which can be fatal. Unvaccinated outdoor cats also run the risk of contracting and spreading feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus), calicivirus, panleukopenia, or feline distemper. And that’s just between cats. Other animals outdoor cats will come across exposes them to many more diseases and deadly viruses, like rabies.

Wildlife and Predators.
A cat’s hunting instinct can threaten the lives of wildlife, such as songbirds, baby bunnies, and other small creatures. As proud as your cat may be to have captured her prey, you may not be as thrilled to receive these special “gifts.” Furthermore, interactions with local wildlife can also risk injury and infection, which may not be easy to spot right away. Plus, your cat is not the only predator out there and can quickly become prey to coyotes, foxes, or birds of prey, all of which live in Hampton Roads.

Accident or Injury.
Animal traps and poisons are often used to target pests, but outdoor cats are susceptible to these threats as well. There is also the risk of getting hit by a car, which can happen in both urban areas and on country roads. A free roaming cat can also get caught in dangerous weather conditions, access poison or toxic substances, or become injured and physically unable to make it back home.

Lost or Stolen.
No matter how “street-smart” your cat may be, there is always a possibility of your cat wandering too far from home, getting picked up by animal control in another area, or coming across a stranger with unkind intentions. Approximately 2 million pets are stolen every year, and sadly not every person is a cat person.

Solution: Bring the outside in
Cats are still social creatures and need appropriate enrichment to live a happy and healthy life. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your cat is getting the enrichment needed to be safe and happy.

• Put a cat tree by a window so they can view the great outdoors while remaining safely inside.
• Create multiple levels of perches for jumping and exercising inside.
• Set up a spot with cat grass and other treats, as well as different textures for your cat to enjoy.
• Use both horizontal and vertical cat scratchers.
• Engage in interactive play using wands and laser toys as a wonderful way to provide the mental and physical exercise your cat needs. Interactive play is also a great method for redirection if your cat seems too focused on going outside.
• Use puzzle toys, so your cat can treasure hunt for treats.

If your cat absolutely needs time outside, consider a “catio” or secure outdoor enclosure. If you don’t have the time or space for a catio, you can take steps to get your cat used to a harness and take your cat on a walk!