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Do you have a cat scratching the door frame in your home? Scratching is an instinctive behavior for cats and they may scratch at various points in the house. If you have this problem, you probably want to know how to stop a cat from scratching door frames.
Having a cat can be very fulfilling. Cats offer companionship and help keep the mice away, but they have one habit which could be annoying. That’s scratching. Cats instinctively scratch to mark their territory, but this can be an issue if they do it on hardwood floors or door frames.
Once you understand the reasons why your cat is scratching your hardwood floor or door frame, you will need to find a way to stop her from doing it. Here, you can take a look at different methods to solve this problem easily.
How to Stop Cat from Scratching Door Frames
Tip 1: How to Stop a Cat from Scratching Door Frames with a Door Protector
Cover your door frames with a protector. While these protectors are usually intended for dogs, they can also work great for most cats. So what’s the catch?
Every cat dislikes the sticky feeling on her claws. Moreover, the door protectors prevent cats from digging their claws in, and they eventually give up.
It’s not necessary to buy the protectors. Instead, you can make it yourself by using double-sided tape or sticking some tin foils. Furniture strips, cardboard, and bubble wrap can also work, as their texture is not appealing to cats.
Still, we recommend using double-sided tape. It isn’t visually appealing on door frames; however, this is an effective yet cheap cat deterrent. All you need to do is cover the bottom half or third of the door frames with tape.
Tip 2: Get Your Cat a Scratching Bed or Post
Many cats scratch door frames out of boredom. This is where scratching posts and beds come in. Here are a few tips on how to get the most out of them.
- If you have two or more cats, consider stocking up on posts. It is a good idea to rub some catnip on them. This will make the posts more attractive to your feline friends.
- Check the stability when buying the posts. Make sure they are firmly anchored so that your cat can’t knock them over easily while scratching and playing around.
- You should also consider the size of scratching posts. They should be large enough. The tall posts will let your pets stretch themselves comfortably up whilst they are scratching. They also need to be wide to allow cats to perch on their top areas.
- Whether you plan to buy or make a standing post yourself, make sure it is made from sisal or another slightly rough material. You want it to serve you (actually your cat) reliably for a long time.
- Put the scratching post in the place where your cat hangs out for most of the day. It usually works. Otherwise, the post should be positioned near the target doorframe.
- Maybe your cat prefers a scratching bed. If so, buy one and apply some catnip to it to stop your puss from scratching the doors. She will paw on the scratching bed instead.
- There are also a variety of floor and wall scratchers, so try to figure out what your pet likes the most.
Tip 3: Spray the Door Frames with Essential Oils or Cat Repellents
Cats do not like the smell of essential oils like rosemary, lavender, cinnamon, peppermint, and citrus. While most of these oils aren’t harmful to pets, some of them aren’t cat-friendly. That’s why you should consult a veterinarian beforehand.
There are a variety of essential oil repellants online. Nevertheless, you’re advised to make your own. Here’s how to make a do-it-yourself cat repellent in three easy steps:
Step 1: Get a spray bottle and a few different essential oils.
Step 2: Combine 3 tbsp of water with one tablespoon (about 15 ml) or two drops of each essential oil.
Step 3: Shake the mixture and spray it on your door frames.
Tip 4: Offer a Lot of Toys
Toys can do a terrific job of draining the extra energy of pets and getting their mind out of furniture and doors. The idea is to keep cats busy and engaged, thereby keeping them away (at least for some time) from door frames. This can do the trick, especially when combined with other methods.
- Rather than offering only one source of entertainment, give your cat a lot of different toys to make her feel less bored. That will increase her chances of playing over scratching the furniture or door frames. Toy rats, yarns, lasers, and balls are all fantastic options.
- Use cat toys that are highly interactive, preferably ones that produce sounds, jump, or move. They are capable of keeping pets entertained for hours.
- Just as with scratching beds and posts, apply catnip to toys to make them more appealing. Some posts come with toys included.
- Get a few different kinds of toys and put them in multiple places in your home.
- Choose toys that have a feathery texture, such as a faux mouse. Cats like them!
Tip 5: Ignore or Redirect Your Cat’s Behavior
When reacting to the scratching of your cat, you actually give attention to her. This will encourage your furry friend to repeat this bad behavior to get your attention again. Don’t scold or yell. It’s best to ignore your cat altogether.
It can be challenging to ignore pets while they are damaging the home, though. That’s why most cat owners would rather use other methods. While some prefer to redirect their cats’ behavior, others startle or calm them with pheromone sprays.
Purchase a cat tree – it is an amazing distraction – and place it by a window. You know, every cat loves bird watching. By the way, it will allow your puss to examine the area from a higher vantage point.
Tip 6: Keep Your Cat Comfortable All the Time
If you’re a cat owner, then you should know that comfort is vital for your furry friend. After all, cats are not comfortable in any one place for long! That’s why it’s necessary to provide your cat with a few different spots to feel at home.
Likewise, it’s vital to provide your cat with the right accessories. For example, a cat tree can make your house more comfortable.
It also allows cats to scratch, which is a must for keeping your pet’s claws in working order. As a result, your cat will stop damaging door frames. We hope so.
FAQs About How to Stop a Cat from Scratching Door Frames
Why Is My Cat Scratching on Door Frames?
Sometimes scratching is one of the ways cats seek the attention of their owners, especially when left in a separate room. Your pet could also scratch on closed doors because she’s curious and wants to discover the noises or smells on the other side. Still, most cats do it because of territoriality.
How to Stop My Cat from Scratching on the Door?
Prevent your cat from scratching door frames by using various cat deterrents like double-sided tape and cat-deterring essential oils. You may also distract your cat with catnip as well as a scratching bed or post. Additionally, try to stop your pet from scratching the doors by offering her favorite toy or tiring her out before bedtime.
Takeaway
A cat can be a wonderful pet to have, but there are times when they can be a bit annoying. If your kitten often scratches wooden doors and other furniture then they can be a big problem. But now that you know how to stop a cat from scratching door frames, this will be one less thing to worry about.
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