« Previous AbstractIndoor heterogeneous photochemistry of furfural drives emissions of nitrous acid    Next AbstractEvaluation of the efficacy of an appeasing pheromone diffuser product vs placebo for management of feline aggression in multi-cat households: a pilot study »

J Feline Med Surg

Title:		Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching
Author(s):		DePorter TL; Elzerman AL;
Address:		"Oakland Veterinary Referral Services, 1400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, USA"
Journal Title:		J Feline Med Surg
Year:		2019
Volume:		21
Issue:		3
Page Number:		235 - 243
DOI:		10.1177/1098612X19831205
ISSN/ISBN:		1532-2750 (Electronic) 1098-612X (Linking)
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"
Keywords:		"Animals Behavior, Animal/*drug effects Cats/*physiology Pheromones/*therapeutic use Veterinarians Scratching behavior client education declaw normal behaviors onychectomy;"
Notes:		"MedlineDePorter, Theresa L Elzerman, Ashley L eng Review England 2019/02/28 J Feline Med Surg. 2019 Mar; 21(3):235-243. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19831205"