How do I get my cat to stop scratching my walls?

How to Stop a Cat from Scratching Your Walls

Cats scratching and climbing on walls is a common problem for many homeowners. Your cat may be scratching for exercise, for fun or to leave behind scents that signal safety and familiarity. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help your cat to stop scratching your walls.

Provide a Scratching Post

Felines need to claw and sharpen their claws so they can mark their territory. Providing them with an appropriate surface to scratch, such as a sisal scratching post, is important. Place the scratching post next to the wall where your cat is usually scratching, so they can transition to the post naturally.

Trim Your Cat’s Nails

Keeping your cat’s nails trimmed will help prevent your cat from scratching your walls. You can do this yourself with a pair of nail clippers or have your vet or groomer help.

Apply Cats Deterrents

Cats won’t like the feel or smell of certain materials. To discourage your cat from scratching your walls, you could apply the following deterrents:

• Double-sided tape – Apply this directly on the wall; cats don’t like the feeling of sticking to it.
• Foils – Place aluminum foil in the area they usually scratch.
• Unpleasant smells – Place orange or lemon peels around the walls.
• Mats – Put mats on the wall around the scratched spots so they can’t access them.

Positive Reinforcement

Whenever you catch your cat scratching where it shouldn’t, immediately make a loud noise that startles the cat and then direct it towards its scratching post. Give a reward such as a treat, toy or play session when they use their post correctly.

By considering these tips and troubleshooting techniques, you can quickly eliminate your cat from scratching your walls. With patience, consistency and understanding, you can help your cat transition to a healthy scratching behavior.