Why isn't my cat scratching? Is it a health concern or normal?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It depends on how fast her nails grow and it she is scratching your furniture. I would recommend monthly for maintenance and every 2 weeks if she scratches your furniture. I hope this helps!

Congrats on your new cat! Give Sophie some time to adjust and she may start using the scratching post. Moving into a new home is stressful to a cat, and they need time to adapt and adjust to their new surroundings. She may be using it at night when you are sleeping. I would not be worried about this. In time, she should start using it when she is more comfortable. Just hang in there!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes, just like people scratch occasionally, it is normal for cats to scratch a little bit. I'd say SEEING them scratch 1-2 times per day is probably normal. Excessive scratching can be from fleas, allergies, and infection. If she is losing hair, has bald spots or you are seeing her scratch a lot then I would have her checked by a Vet. I hope this helps and I wish you and Dana the very best!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A little fraying or ragged edges on cut nails can be normal, but it may also mean that your trimmers are a bit dull. It may be worth investing in new nail trimmers - some of the less expensive ones truly don't seem to cut as well as more expensive nail trimmers. But it shouldn't hurt their nails long term

Hello. There is a very small chance that you could get a bacterial infection from a cat scratch & it is actually called Cat Scratch Fever, so just wash your hands & arms after every play session. There are no vaccinations that will prevent this disease, but it is pretty rare & if your immune system is normal & you just wash after playing with Bosbos, you have little to worry about. It is good that you are trimming his nails, but you might look into buying a product called Softpaws ( https://www.softpaws.com ) that you glue on to the nails & really help with scratching. Thanks for using PetCoach.

It is normal for cats to shed some of their nails as they grow out. This is why it is helpful to have things like a scratching post in your home so she can keep up with her nail health. I would look for signs of limping or excessive licking of the feet, if you see any of these it could indicate that her feet are hurting her and a trip to the vet would be indicated.

Hello, sorry to hear about your cat. She is very young still, so managing her scratching and biting will be crucial in this stages of life before she gets bigger and her scratching could become more damaging. Here are some tips you can follow to decrease the incidence of scratching. Hope this helps and best of luck. Why do cats scratch? Scratching is a normal behavior that aids cats in the marking of their territories in the form of scratch marks. Scent glands in their paws leave olfactory clues for other cats to alert them to their presence. Cats also find it pleasurable as a means of exercise and stretching. Scratching also allows cats to keep their claws healthy and shortened. Unlike dogs, a cats’ claws do not exfoliate evenly from the end; rather they peel off in layers like an onion. What is inappropriate scratching? Inappropriate scratching is ultimately determined by the owner, but is generally directed at furniture, screens, carpets and rugs and other items that the cats finds suitable. What can I do to prevent this? The easiest way to prevent severe damage is to trim your cats nails every 2-4 weeks. It is best to begin this process when the cat is very young, as they will become more accustomed to this procedure. However, older cats can learn to tolerate it as well. Another excellent method is to provide them with a suitable scratching substrate. As with nail trimming, this is also best started at an early age before the scratching behavior begins, but older cats will also generally accept such items as carpet or sisal fiber scratching posts or corrugated cardboard. For more options, you can visit your local pet store or make your own from their preferred scratching material and a supporting board of wood. My cat is ignoring the scratching post. How do I get him/her to use it? Place the item in the areas that your cat(s) enjoys scratching. You can entice the cat to use the item by rubbing or sprinkling with catnip. If your cat insists on using the wrong scratching surface, guide your cat to the correct site. Once at the post, you can start petting and scratching your cat while placing their feet on the surface for encouragement and stimulation of the natural kneading motion. Remember to reward your cat for its good behavior!