Cat Behaviour Problem.
Destructive scratching

Question.
I adopted two lovely Siamese cats seven years ago. Alex found it hard to settle at first but is now a happy little cat. Neither used to claw the furniture but two years ago Alex started clawing the stairs every time she comes in and, on and off, through the night. There are now holes on the edges of every stair. At night, I cover each stair to try to stop her but I am getting older and find it hard to bend so this is a chore I dread. During the day I scold Alex when I see her scratching but it doesn't stop her. The carpet is now getting dangerous. But before I buy another, is a there a type of carpet that might discourage her? She is a loving cat and, like her sister, seems happy. I have two scratching posts but Alex doesn't use them.

Answer.
Scratching removes the blunted outer claw sheath on the front feet and you will find old claws about the house where the cats have been scratching. Scratching also seems to playa role in keeping a cat's hunting skills up to speed. It keeps the claws in good working order and lets the cat respond quickly to the presence of potential prey.

Scratching is also used as a form of visual and olfactory marking. This is often significant in multi-cat households or one where there is potential hostility from cats in the neighbourhood. It would be useful to know more about Alex's relationship with her housemate and their interaction with other cats in the area. Since Alex only started scratching two years ago, I suggest there is some sort of communication function to her behaviour. Does your other cat use the scratching posts? If neither does, then perhaps they could be made more attractive to the cats, but if your other cat uses the posts then it may be that conflict between the cats is a contributing factor.

In the long term, you need to base action on rewarding Alex for behaving appropriately rather than punishing her for getting it wrong, and that also involve finding the reason for her actions.
The commercial product Feliway is marketed for use in problems of inappropriate scratching but its use must be combined with teaching Alex new associations with suitable scratching surfaces that fulfill her needs.

I strongly advise that you ask your vet refer you to a feline behaviour counsellor who can help you get the root of Alex's problem and offer practical advice.

_{source Your Cat Mag.}