Cats scratch to sharpen their claws and mark their territory. This is natural, instinctive behavior. But it can be destructive to furniture and other household items unless preventive measures are taken. Try these tactics:

•Routine nail trimming can minimize damage.
•Teach your cat to scratch a post by providing one that is stable and tall, with a surface the cat likes. Besides carpet-covered posts, try a rope-covered post or a fireplace log secured to a plywood base. Toss a small treat every time the pet approaches the post and a larger one whenever it makes contact with the post.
•Keep your cat within eyesight and interrupt problem scratching with a squirt from a water gun — without saying anything. You want to stop the behavior without scaring the cat.
•When you’re away and can’t watch your cat, confine it to an area where there are no, or only a few, objects it might damage. In time you can gradually allow more freedom without supervision.

To prevent damage when you are not around, you can:

•Hang a movement-detector alarm (e.g. doorknob alarm) on the corner of the furniture.
•Hang a towel over the side of the furniture with several empty aluminum cans stacked on top. When the cat scratches, the cans will tumble down.
•Cover the furniture with plastic or canvas drop cloths.
•Attach a tissue with a strong citrus fragrance to the side of the furniture.

Wayne Hunthausen is a Westwood-based veterinarian and animal behavior consultant. Online: www.west woodanimalhospital .com

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