Cat Scratch Fever
Has your furry friend turned into Edward Scissorhands? Scratching is a big part of a kitty's life, but it doesn't have to wreck your furniture. Today on Quirky Cat Nips, we'll share some tips on how to get keep your surroundings from being claw-full. Meow Kitties!
Listen to Episode #24 Now:
Transcript:
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Announcer: This is Pet Life Radio.
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Announcer: Let's talk pets.
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Announcer: Cat lovers and feline friends, it's time for Adele Park's Quirky Cat Nips.
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Euripides isn't just a famous Greek playwright.
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After viewing what were once shelf liners, now converted into something that could be used for a ticker tape parade, I said to my cat, Allison, you rippides?
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Well, of course she did.
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If your cat is not only a shetter, but also a shredder, there are some things you can do to keep your feline from unraveling your entire house.
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Start by understanding that scratching is an instinctive behavior.
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Sinking their hooks into a nice couch or corner of carpet helps your furry friend exfoliate their claws, mark their territory and relieve stress.
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Keep in mind, you're the one who brought what was historically a wild animal into your home.
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If your cat has blown past a little harmless scratching and evolved into a full-on Edward Scissorhands, there are some things you can do to mitigate the damage.
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Provide your cat with several scratching options.
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Cats are attracted to nubby, coarse or textured surfaces, which may explain why your curtains now resemble hanging spaghetti strands.
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Cat nip can be used to entice your kitty to scratch their scratching post.
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Praise the heck out of your feline on the occasions when they claw where they're supposed to.
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Like humans, cats respond to positive reinforcement more than they do negative behavior, because really, who likes to be yelled at?
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When your feline is in the midst of turning the back of your armchair into mud flaps, make a loud noise to startle them, like snapping your fingers or clapping your hands.
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If you'd like the upholstery to remain on your sofa, try using a citrus spray or product called Sticky Paws.
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These items will take all the fun out of destroying your furniture.
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Don't forget to trim your kitty's nails on a regular basis.
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For some reason, cats don't enjoy pedicures the way humans do, but blunting your cat's nails might be the thing that keeps your favorite comforter intact for another year.
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The joy of having a furry friend doesn't mean your surroundings have to be clawful.
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A few preemptive strikes on your end can keep everyone at home positively purring.
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What happens when cats and polygamists collide?
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Find out in Quirky Cat Goes Splat by Adele Park.
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Prance through quirky polygamist country with Skitters the Cat as he raises holy hell.
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Quirky Cat Goes Splat.
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Get it today on audible.com.
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Announcer: Meow, bitches!
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Announcer: Let's Talk Pets, every week, on demand, only on petliferadio.com.