Does your cat's destructive behavior have you at your wit's end? Here are some tips that we discussed in our second column for the North County Times' "Unleashed" section, which published on June 11:

June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, and although we encourage cat adoptions all year long, it’s a special opportunity to put a spotlight on our feline friends.

Cats enrich our lives in many ways and are wonderful, loving companions. But what do you do if your feline’s destructive behavior, such as scratching or house soiling, has you at your wit’s end? Unfortunately, those are two of the main reasons we see cats returned to the Escondido Humane Society, even though there are steps you can take to ensure your cat is on his best behavior. 

Scratching

Anyone who has ever had their furniture or carpet destroyed at the paws of a cat knows how frustrating scratching can be. But it’s important to keep in mind that scratching is a normal behavior for cats – they use it to play, to flex their feet and claws and to mark their territory. The trick is to redirect their scratching away from your couch and onto acceptable objects.

Pay attention to the items your cat is scratching, particularly the location and texture. Once you have an understanding of your cat’s preferences it will be easier to introduce similar items for him to scratch, such as a cat tree or scratching posts or pads. Our local pet stores offer a myriad of options, or you can be creative and cover a piece of wood with carpet or sisal rope. Corrugated cardboard and even a log are also cost-effective alternatives.

Place the scratching post near the inappropriate object your cat is already using, taking care to ensure the post is sturdy (if it tips over it could scare your cat into never using it). Discourage your cat from scratching the inappropriate object by covering it with something unappealing, such as double-sided sticky sheets, sand paper or aluminum foil. Once your cat is consistently using the appropriate object you can gradually move it – about an inch a day – to a more suitable location and remove the unappealing coverings. Keep the post as close to your cat's preferred scratching location as possible. 

Punishment is an option only if you catch your cat in the act; otherwise, you may cause him to fear you or the environment. Appropriate punishments include squirting him with a water bottle, shaking a can full or rocks or coins, or slapping the wall.

A good preventative measure is to trim your cat’s nails every few weeks. Just be careful not to cut into the “quick,” which is the pink part of the nail where blood vessels and nerve endings lie. 

House soiling

In my book, scratching is just a minor offense when compared with house soiling. But just like scratching, there are measures you can take to avoid this unsavory behavior. 

First things first: If your cat is soiling outside his litter box it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. There are some medical conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, that could be causing your cat to have difficulty using his litter box. 

If you have ruled out a medical condition, it’s time to turn to the litter box. Cats are very particular, so if your cat finds anything unfavorable about his box he may not use it. Keep the box clean by scooping it daily and changing scoopable litter weekly. When you change the litter, take the opportunity to wash the box with soap and water. 

Keep the litter box in a quiet, private place like the bathroom or laundry room. If you have just adopted a cat or he is new to your family, carry or lead him over to the box and praise him with treats or affection once he has successfully used it. A simple rule of thumb is to have one litter box per cat, plus one. So if you have one cat you should have two boxes, two cats should have three boxes, and so on. The litter box should be big enough for your cat to comfortably move around in.

Cats also can be particular about the kind of litter you use, so don’t be afraid to try out several types until you find the one your cat prefers. If there is too much litter in the box your cat may avoid using it, so aim for 2 inches deep. 

As a cat owner who experienced both scratching and house soiling, I know how disheartening and frustrating it can be to come home to a shredded chair or soiled room. But don’t give up! There are ways to help your cat follow the rules of the house, and the love they offer us is all that matters in the end.