Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Theresa DePorter, Ashley L Elzerman

Abstract

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. 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. 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 t...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1991·The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Small Animal Practice·G M Landsberg
Oct 17, 2001·Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·G J Patronek
Feb 23, 2013·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·Alessandro CozziPatrick Pageat
Nov 12, 2014·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Michael J MontagueWesley C Warren
Jul 17, 2015·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·Colleen WilsonGary Landsberg
Sep 2, 2016·Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·Amanda F GerardChristine Petersen
May 24, 2017·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·Nicole K Martell-MoranHugh Gg Townsend
Oct 31, 2017·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·Alexandra MoestaSharon Crowell-Davis
Aug 29, 2018·Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·Lingna ZhangJohn McGlone

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Sep 15, 2020·Frontiers in Veterinary Science·Melissa Bain

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Software Mentioned

Feliscratch

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

The Canadian Veterinary Journal. La Revue Vétérinaire Canadienne
D McKeownM Machum
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
Marta Amat, Xavier Manteca
The Veterinary Record
R L Seccombe
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
C M Troutman
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
S S KALTER
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved