Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching

Abstract

Practical relevance: While scratching is a normal, beneficial behavior for cats, it can create problems when cats scratch objects owners deem as inappropriate. However, if veterinarians make suitable recommendations from the first veterinary visit, owners will be able to implement effective preventive strategies to develop good scratching patterns for life. Educating owners as to why cats scratch, how to guide cats to scratch only on desirable surfaces (ie, a scratching post), which types of scratching posts are preferred by most cats, the benefits of pheromone products, as well as other strategies to avoid destructive scratching, helps to preserve the cat–owner bond and reduces the risk of relinquishment. Clinical challenges: Clients may not directly ask veterinarians for their assistance regarding their cat’s destructive scratching, and may not be aware that anything can be done except for declawing their cat. Evidence base: Published studies on scratching are limited. Destructive scratching has been documented as a reason for the relinquishment of cats to shelters and the negative effects of declaw surgeries are being increasingly discovered. Among recent scientific publications are studies assessing kitten and cat preferences for scratching substrates, and the use of pheromones to encourage appropriate scratching behavior. This review draws on these studies, among other resources, as well as the authors’ personal experiences.

An Initial Open-Label Study of a Novel Pheromone Complex for Use in Cats

“…We evaluated four common problem behaviours in this study. Previous studies of synthetic CAP have focussed on the improvement of inter-cat conflict, aggression and social tension [19] [24], while studies of synthetic FFP have suggested positive effects on various stress-related behaviours such as problem urination [25] [26] [27] [28], scratching within the home [29], and environmental-induced stress [30] [31]. The results of the current study, with significant improvements in all four problem behaviours, suggest that the new pheromone complex may indeed positively influence a broader range of problem behaviours than has been achieved with previous products, but again, further controlled studies are needed to confirm efficacy.…”

Wybrane zagadnienia produkcji zwierzęcej t.3

“…U kociąt kwestia drapaków wygląda zupełnie inaczej niż u dorosłych kotów, ponieważ kocięta nie mają jeszcze ustalonych nawyków. Powinno się im zapewnić różne rodzaje podłoży drapaków, aby od jak najmłodszego wieku przyzwyczajać je do korzystania z drapaków, a nie mebli czy też zasłon [DePorter i Elzerman 2019]. Badanie Zhang i in.…”

“…Przyczyną jest fakt, że koty są przyciągane przez wzrok i zapach, a więc powracają do miejsca, w którym ostatnio drapały. Badania pokazują, że najlepszy drapak, jaki można dać kotu, powinien być zrobiony ze sznura sizalowego, posiadać pionową powierzchnię do drapania, wysokość około jednego metra, dwa poziomy lub więcej oraz szerokość od 0,3 m do 0,9 m [DePorter i Elzerman 2019].…”

Principais alterações comportamentais dos gatos

“…Fonte: Adaptado de Henzel e Ramos (2018) Outra ferramenta importante é o enriquecimento ambiental, que pode ser definido como qualquer interação positiva com o gato, como brinquedos estáticos, brinquedos dispersores de petiscos, maior interação com os tutores (sempre lembrando de não utilizar mãos e pés como brinquedos), recompensa por bom comportamento e disponibilizar prateleiras e locais para escalar (Bain & Stelow, 2014). informação leva o tutor a acreditar que tal hábito não é essencial para o gato e que pode ser impedido, podendo levar inclusive à ocorrência de outros problemas, como a agressividade (DePorter & Elzerman, 2019). Frequentemente, é um problema adicional reportado pelos tutores durante consultas (De Lima et al, 2021;Mengoli et al, 2013).…”