Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture

stop cats from scratching furniture

If you have a kitty, then you’re probably fully aware that it doesn’t matter how many toys you’ve given your cat; they still want to scratch up your furniture. It’s okay. It’s happened to the best of us. You’ve provided your cat with the most enticing scratching post or tree you can imagine, but they don’t seem interested. If you’re wondering how to stop cats from scratching furniture then you’ve come to the right place! The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill can help you understand why your cat is scratching and how to help them stop!

How To Stop Cats from Scratching Furniture

First, you’re probably wondering why our cat wants to scratch and why they won’t use their brand new cat tree! Well, the most obvious reason your cat keeps scratching is because they’re trying to remove the outer layer of their claws. Maybe they’re too sharp and the outer layer is likely dead. You can help them out by cutting their nails. Check out our post on that here! Great, but what if your cat is still headed toward the furniture? Here’s a few tips to help them stop scratching:

  • First, you can usually prevent your cat from scratching things you don’t want them to scratch by putting gentle sticky tape, foil, or sandpaper on them. Your cat won’t like the texture. You can also put an unfavorable odor on the objects with cotton balls. You can buy these at most pet stores.
  • Cats will often choose to scratch things as a way of marking their territory. If possible, try not to hide the scratching posts and cat trees in the corner of the room. Your cat might be choosing your couch because it’s the center of attention. A little rearranging of your room’s layout might be just the thing to get your kitty to stop scratching.
  • To help your cat get used to scratching something acceptable, put it at the same height they usually scratch and place it near an object they tend to scratch. So if your cat is scratching the corner of your armchair, put your scratching posts near the chair and ensure it’s at a similar height where they usually scratch. Once your cat is used to the new scratching post or tree, you can start to move it away little by little, but it’s often best to keep it in a close spot. You don’t want your cat to return to old habits.

Cat Still Scratching? Call the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill!

If your cat continues to scratch, there might be a deeper behavioral or even health issue with your kitty. It’s best to talk to your vet. The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill can help you understand why your cat keeps scratching. Give us a call at 856-662-2662 to schedule an appointment or to speak with a vet on why your cat might continue to scratch.

Why Do Cats Thump Their Tails?

why do cats thump their tails?

Reading animal behavior can sometimes be frustrating and confusing. If only our animals could speak! Cats, especially, can feel difficult to read. Dogs often offer a smile when they’re pleased, and everyone knows that when they wag their tails, they’re happy to see you! But what about cats? If you’re searching “why do cats thump their tails?” then you’re not alone! What exactly does it mean when a cat wags or thumps its tail? Is it a warning sign they’re mad or a gesture of affection? The cat experts at the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill are here to help!

4 Reasons Cats Thump or Wag Their Tails

The way a cat moves its tail is one of the most expressive signs a cat can give to you. But learning to read the different movements can be tricky! Luckily, we’re here to help you assess why do cats thump their tail?

  1. A big thump of the tail on the ground can mean your cat isn’t really in the mood for whatever you’re doing. Whether that’s cuddles, playing, or petting it, your cat thumping its tail on the ground a few times is its way of saying “stop please!” It’s best to just give your cat some space.
  2. If your cat’s tail is pointing upward and they seem to be waving it around in the air, then good news! Your cat is in a great mood! They’re likely saying hello or feeing playful. This is a great time to play with your cat and give it some enrichment. They’ll likely respond rather positively.
  3. When your cat is laying down, if its tail is swishing on the ground instead of thumping like in the first example we gave, then your cat is probably content. Feel free to pet and cuddle your cat.
  4. Lastly, if your cat’s tail is twitching and vibrating in the air, then your cat is excited! Maybe you just opened a can of tuna and your kitty knows exactly what that means… a delicious meal! A vibrating tail is usually a very good sign, but careful! Your cat may be feeling super playful and ready to pounce…

For More Cat Behavior Tips Check out the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

Understanding cat behavior and training your cat can be difficult, but neither is impossible! At the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill, we are cat experts who specialize in all things cat behavior and health. For more information on cat behavior, training, and other tips, you can check out our blog! And if you need a great cat veterinarian for a number of medical services, give us a call at 856-662-2662. 

How to Keep Cats from Jumping on Counters

Cats and Counters – Keep off!

Whether you’re a new cat owner or a cat-owning veteran, keeping your cats from jumping on counters is a huge challenge. It’s in a cat’s nature to be up high, to play, and to treat your house as a jungle gym. However, we don’t always want our cats jumping up on our furniture, especially counters and tables where we eat or keep food. If you’re wondering how to keep cats from jumping on counters, look no further! The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill has a few tips and tricks to prevent your cats from having free range of counters, tables, and other places you don’t want them jumping.

Tips and Tricks on How to Keep Cats from Jumping on Counters

Your cat may think they own the place, but that doesn’t mean you can’t set some boundaries on places they’re allowed to go. Here are a few ways on how to keep cats from jumping on counters:

  1. First, give your cat another outlet for their desire to climb and be up high. Cats love cat trees! If you provide a cat tree or other high-up place (such as a designated shelf), your cat may become so fond of it that they don’t bother with your counters. Make the cat tree comfortable and attractive – leave a soft bed, toys, and treats there for your cat to find.
  2. As a backup or if your cat doesn’t take to a cat tree right away, try making your counter an unattractive place for your kitty. Remove food, small objects, and anything else that may be attracting your cat’s curiosity.
  3. You can also try putting (mildly) sticky tape up on your counter. When they try to jump up, they won’t like the feeling of the tape on their paws and eventually your cat likely won’t want to jump up anymore.
  4. Another product cats don’t like the feeling or sound of is aluminum foil. If sticky tape doesn’t work, try tin foil.
  5. When your cat jumps on a place that you deem acceptable, it’s important to let your cat know they’re doing a great job so they can tell the difference between good places to jump and bad. Treats, pets, and positive tone-inflection in your voice will help your cat learn what places are good for jumping.

Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill and Your Kitty

If you’re still having behavioral issues with your kitty, it might help to talk to a vet. They can offer ideas or refer you to a cat trainer who can help. For more information on how to keep cats from jumping on counters, or to schedule an appointment with us, call the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill at 856-662-2662.

Why Does My Cat Keep Scratching Everything?

cat scratching

Why Your Cat is Scratching Your Furniture

All cat owners have been there: you just bought your cat the newest, coolest, and most scratchable cat tree there is to offer. And yet, your cat continues to sink her claws into the couch. You’ve given your kitty every kind of toy and scratching tool to make this stop, yet you’re still wondering “why does my cat keep scratching everything”? It’s an age-old problem. So why do cats keep scratching everything? There are a few reasons your cat keeps scratching:

  • The most obvious reason your cat keeps scratching is because they’re trying to remove the outer layer of their claws. Maybe they’re too sharp and the outer layer is likely dead.
  • Your cat is expending energy. Your cat doesn’t necessarily know the difference between toy and furniture. It’s all a jungle gym to your cat, a place to play and hunt. And boy does your office chair sure look like a fun tree to climb.
  • Marking their territory. Cats can often scratch something to mark their territory. Their scratches don’t just leave a visible mark; they also leave a scent behind.

How To Stop Your Cats from Scratching Everything

So now you have the answer to “why does my cat keep scratching everything.” Next: how do you stop it? It is possible to train your cat to scratch things she’s supposed to scratch.

  • Cats will often choose things to scratch dependent on placement. If possible, try not to hide the scratching posts and cat trees in the corner of the room. Your cat might be choosing your couch because it’s the center of attention. Cats are also likely to choose objects right in an entrance to a room, especially if they’re marking their territory. That’s why your cat often scratches the doorjamb, even when the door is open.
  • To begin, try detering your cat from scratching things you don’t want her to scratch by putting gentle sticky tape or sandpaper on them. Your cat won’t like the texture. You can also put an unfavorable odor on the objects with cotton balls. You can buy these at most pet stores.
  • To help your cat get used to scratching something acceptable, put it at the same height they usually scratch and place it near an object they tend to scratch. So if your cat is scratching the back of the couch, put your scratching posts near the back of the couch and ensure it’s at a about the same height your cat typically scratches. Once your cat is used to the new scratching post or tree, you can start to move it away little by little, but it’s often best to keep it in a close spot. You don’t want your cat to return to old habits.

Cat Still Scratching?

If your cat continues to scratch, there might be a deeper health or behavior issue with your kitty. It’s best to talk to your vet. The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill can help you understand why your cat keeps scratching. Give us a call at 856-662-2662 to schedule an appointment or to speak with a vet on why your cat might continue to scratch.

Soothing Your Anxious Cat

anxiety in cats

As a pet owner, you never want to see your furry companion frightened or unhappy. Cats bring us joy and comfort in our everyday lives, so we naturally want to provide the same for them. If you’ve noticed recurring symptoms of high stress in your cat, try to take note of any patterns in behavior–there may be an underlying cause! The experts at The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill list a few ways you can tell your furry family member is on edge and reveal how to mitigate potential stressors.

Signs of An Anxious Cat

  • He is more vocal than usual: Some kitties have spunkier personalities and enjoy letting their voices be heard; however, if you’re finding that your feline friend is meowing more frequently and in a more distressed manner than he typically vocalizes, it may be an indication that something is amiss.
  • You’re seeing neither hide nor hair of them: When you start to wonder if you only imagined ever owning a cat, it’s time to hunt around the house and find where your pet is hiding. Occasionally wanting some space is totally normal for cats, but excessive isolation is a problem.
  • She has been “missing” the litterbox: Not only is this issue smelly and frustrating to clean up, it’s concerning. Your cat isn’t being lazy or forgetful of her training, there’s something stressing her out–and since she can’t talk, only her behavior can reflect that.
  • Increased aggression or irritability: When kitty is feeling nervous, the claws tend to come out. He may even try to bite, and this is when it’s time to take a trip to your trusted Cherry Hill cat veterinarian to figure out what might be wrong with your pet.

How to Reduce Your Pet’s Anxiety

  • Improve the living environment: Your cat may not have enough physical and mental stimulation to keep her occupied in the house, and boredom can certainly lead to anxiety. Add some exciting elements to your home to change things up and let her have an outlet for that energy. We recommend cat trees, interactive toys, food puzzles, laser pointers, and other fun items. It will also help keep your cat fit!
  • Nix the noise: Our feline friends have sensitive ears, which means they don’t particularly enjoy when you have the music or television volume at full blast, or when your conversations with others are loud and boisterous. Does this mean your house should become as silent as a monastery? Not necessarily. Simply try to be more mindful of the level of noise you or your devices are emitting.
  • Consult the medical experts: This is an obvious solution–if your pet is exhibiting the above signs of anxiety, it may be time to put kitty in the carrier and make a visit to our office for professional help.

Your Reliable Cherry Hill Cat Veterinarian

It’s our top priority to make sure your favorite feline is healthy and happy! That’s why we offer consultations for behavioral issues. The experienced and caring doctors at The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill are fully capable of identifying and addressing your beloved pet’s anxiety problems. Contact the office today!