My cat enjoys hiding beneath our sofa and clawing on the underside. It is driving me insane. Can I persuade him to cease?
You may educate your cat to not use your furnishings as a scratching submit — however earlier than we get into the intricacies of find out how to change your cat’s habits, let’s first focus on why he is doing it within the first place.
As a result of cats scratch to shed their outer nail sheaths, frequent nail trimmings might assist scale back scratching. Nevertheless, there could also be one thing extra extreme occurring: Your cat could also be hiding beneath the couch as a result of she or he is not feeling nicely, both bodily or emotionally. A scared, frightened, or burdened cat might search refuge underneath a sofa or mattress to keep away from an uncomfortable occasion, reminiscent of a brand new toddler or pet in the home. And since cats will usually conceal ache or sickness, your cat could possibly be hiding as a result of he’s unwell or injured.
In both situation, step one in coping with the habits is to schedule a go to to the veterinarian to find whether or not your cat has an undiagnosed medical problem, is in bodily discomfort, or is frightened or burdened about one thing in his surroundings. If crucial, your veterinarian might refer you to a veterinary behaviorist.
Scratching Ought to Be Redirected.
You may start to deal with the habits as soon as your cat has been given a clear invoice of well being. The thought is to focus your cat’s scratching away from furnishings and towards one thing extra cat-friendly, reminiscent of a particular scratching submit.
Cats scratch furnishings frequently as a result of they lack acceptable substitute actions and venues that match their likes. Instructing your cat to keep away from furnishings will necessitate the availability of cat-specific locations which are extra interesting than the world underneath your sofa.
Create resting and play areas which are tailor-made to your cat’s tastes, together with areas for him to snooze, conceal, and research his environment. Burrow beds, tunnels, and cat timber, significantly these with coated parts and den areas, enable your cat to watch the motion in your house — and, if crucial, to flee from it. Tunnels and containers additionally present locations to play and calm down. When your cat must be alone, he can use his crate or service as a quiet resting spot.
Present your cat with scratching posts fabricated from a spread of supplies. Some cats desire carpeted posts to sisal, whereas others desire corrugated cardboard. Think about a coated mattress or field fabricated from sturdy claw-worthy materials, reminiscent of corrugated cardboard, in case your cat prefers laying on his again whereas clawing and pawing.
A sturdy scratching submit ought to have the ability to maintain your cat’s weight whereas he digs, scratches, and paws on the floor. Many cats like getting a very good stretch and like posts that allow them to totally lengthen their limbs whereas clawing. Think about scratching posts that present each horizontal and vertical scratching and stretching alternatives. A horizontal scratching submit could also be interesting to your cat, particularly if he’s presently clawing horizontal areas.
Make Your Cat Adore His Scratching Publish
Place your cat’s scratching submit close to your sofa to discourage him from scratching it. This makes it simpler to divert his consideration away from harmful areas and redirect him to extra acceptable surfaces.
Concurrently, encourage your cat to establish your sofa with issues aside from scratching. Feed him close to the sofa and spray the world with pheromone spray to encourage him to rub the world along with his facial scent glands. This will reduce his motivation to make use of visible cues to alert folks to his presence. You would possibly even encourage him to snuggle on the couch with you and reward him for sitting quietly.
Encourage your cat to research the cat timber and scratching posts by offering toys, catnip, and treats. Direct his extra power and scratching towards different acceptable hobbies, reminiscent of meals puzzles and toys, significantly objects which are appropriate for solo play whereas he’s alone. Pet, play rewards and reward your cat for utilizing his cat-specific locations.
You might must put up a brief barrier to maintain your cat from utilizing the area beneath the sofa as a hiding place. Citrus fragrances, double-sided tape, and inverted ground mats with the prickly facet dealing with upward can all be used as deterrents if crucial. Nevertheless, earlier than you limit him entry to the couch, ensure he has acceptable substitute areas the place he might securely escape and hang around.