Scratching problems and your Maine Coon Cat

Maine Coon Cats – What Do I Do With Those Nails?

(Never have your cat de-clawed)
Oh gee whiz – nice couch! Who did the decorating in strips? The cat? Right, if you're a Maine Coon Cat owner chances are you have at least one couch that bit the big biscuit because your cat used it as a scratching post. Can you do something about this? Yes you can, but first you must understand that scratching is something instinctive, natural and can't be stopped. So that leaves you with using things like "aversion" techniques if you will. And no, we don't mean anything nasty or mean that would hurt. Which leads us to a slight diversion here – DO NOT DECLAW your cat. "But," you sputter "my house is a gigantic scratching post and the furniture looks like shrapnel shredded it."
Okay you're technically at an "impuss" (sorry, couldn't resist the play on words) with your Maine Coon Cat's natural behavior and your desire to have a couch that doesn't look like it's been blown up from the inside out with stuffing sticking out the holes. Back to declawing, because it's SO important that you understand why you do not inflict this inhumane torture on your cat. It literally maims them for life and can cause some major emotional, physical and behavioral problems. This is NOT like trimming their nails. Their claws are an integral part of their balance, survival and ability to move about.
If you declaw your Maine Coon Cat you are having the last joint of the cat's toes amputated which is excruciatingly painful and fraught with all kinds of complications. This is like you having the last joint of your fingers cut off. Not a pretty picture is it? It can also make them shift weight to their hind legs causing the muscles in the front quarters to waste away. The reason they walk that way is due to contracting of the tendons after surgery.
Be aware there are other serious problems that arise if you declaw your Maine Coon Cat, not the least of which is the stress for the cat who is trying to cope with having lost a major part of the way they function. By the way, the pain they experience when trying to use the litter box after such surgery will virtually guarantee your cat will pee some place where they aren't supposed to pee. The hostility this may create in your Maine Coon Cat can then manifest itself in biting, hissing and an aversion to people. No small wonder after someone inflicts that kind of pain is it?
Okay, so you know your cat scratches or you wouldn't be reading this article to find out how to stop it. This is natural. The trick here is to stop them from scratching things you DON'T want them to slice and dice and give them something they CAN "have at." That means you need to start thinking like a Maine Coon Cat. J

Punishment doesn't work with a cat – period! They just learn you seem to be unpredictable when you catch them and start to avoid the psycho they thought they could trust. Not a good relationship. Plus guess what, Maine Coon Cats not only have superb recall, but they hold grudges like you wouldn't believe.

Cats scratch because it's a territorial instinct – to mark and define "their" turf. It's not the claw marks alone that leave a message for other cats, it's the scent left behind by their paws that says: "Go away – this is MY house." So it makes sense then that they scratch things that are in the main part of the house, not hidden away some place out of sight. As far as being adept at redecorating, your puss leaves a great deal to be desired, but give them credit for understanding the concept of "tearing down the old before bringing on the new." Kidding!

Cats also scratch to keep their muscles in shape, especially the ones in their front quarters. And to be honest, they also scratch because they can and it feels sooooo good. These are some of the reasons why you can't stop them from scratching. So, let's take a look at what you can do to divert the urge from the couch to a scratching post.

First of all, in order for you to get your cat to scratch something and someplace else, you have to have something for them to do it on. That means buying a sturdy scratching post with either sisal or carpeting or corrugated cardboard. (More on that later) Plop it down right where she can see it and let her investigate. Just stay out of the process of her checking it out. She knows what to do with it. Maine Coon Cats aren't dumb and don't need lessons from humans on how to go about using the post. Although it may provide them with some comic relief!

The scratching post of preference would be rough, like a tree if you will, and it has to be tall (at least 28 inches) and steady, and not fall over. The perfect scratch for a feline is sisal material because it has texture and grain for shredding vertically (a cat's preferred M.O.) Hint: don't throw away a lovely piece of sisal material that has had the living daylights scratched out of it. Now that your Maine Coon Cat has broken it in, it's the fave post and will be used over and over again.

The other thing you can use is the reverse side of rugs. The backing is excellent scratching material. Why not the carpet side? Ever watched a cat pull the small tufts out of the carpet and track them all through the house? Make sure wherever you use this idea (like over areas your Maine Coon Cat has already been scratching) to staple or tape it securely.

Now the trick to getting them to use the post is this. At first keep it in the same main room area you and the family frequent. You can move it over time, but do this slowly. To start with put the post where your cat frequently scratches. Having said that, you might need more than one post if your Maine Coon Cat likes to "attack" a variety of pieces of furniture, the drapes or other items. Feed your Maine Coon Cat by the post and play there as well. And by all means, bribe her with fresh catnip by rubbing the leaves into the post. Sneaky eh?

Reward your cat for using the post with yummy treats and just create positive associations with using "it".

Having trouble discouraging your cat from using your beloved couch? Try covering the area with tin foil. Another great deterrent is actually double-sided tape. Why these suggestions? They don't "feel" good to scratch. Consider removing your cat's "scent" from her usual scratching areas by using lemon-scented or orange scented sprays, peels or potpourri. Maine Coon Cats really don't like citrus smells. Yes, there are commercial spray products on the market that can be used as well. You'll find those at a pet store.

If all else fails, then get the water squirt gun out or spray bottle with a jet like stream when sprayed, or use a loud whistle or other raucous sound (like pennies in a tin can). What you want to do is make sure they develop an aversion to their usual haunts. Other helpful solutions include trimming their nails, or invest in a SoftPaws kit (light weight vinyl caps that are applied over top of your cat's nails) Where there's will, there's a way!

Remember though, never have your cat de-clawed no matter how bad the problem. Seek advice from a vet if the problem continues to persist no matter what you try.

If you have enjoyed this article about spaying and your Maine Coon Cat then please feel free to reprint it as it is. This resource box must be included with the article. Please visit and link to my blog at http://www.world-of-maine-coon-cats.blogspt.com/.