How To Scruff a Cat
Monday July 16, 2007
Scruffing is one of the best ways of discouraging undesirable behavior in cats, as it is one of the ways mother cats discipline their kittens. Learn how to scruff your cat to train him properly and effectively.
Scruffing should be reserved for especially egregious behavior such as physical aggression toward humans or another cat. I much prefer it to the common practice of using a spray bottle, which often results in a drenched, angry cat. Since the cat associates the spray bottle with the person holding it, he will only continue his misbehavior when you are absent.
Learn How to Scruff a Cat
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Scruffing should be reserved for especially egregious behavior such as physical aggression toward humans or another cat. I much prefer it to the common practice of using a spray bottle, which often results in a drenched, angry cat. Since the cat associates the spray bottle with the person holding it, he will only continue his misbehavior when you are absent.
Learn How to Scruff a Cat
How to Index
Comments
Franny — great information. When I first saw the headline I thought it said “how to stuff a cat”. I was very relieved when I realized I had misread it.
Hehe… and I thought it said how to scuff a cat, which I thought was some new method of grooming.
I have found the scruffing method to be very helpful with our youngest cat, when he gets too rough and bites.
I feel very fortunate that our two cats don’t fight to that point. They play very aggressively, but always with fun in mind. I do know that they both need disipline for climbing on counters and screens. Will scruffing work for that situation?
i have to use the spray to discourage my gorgeous cat from climbing on things. he’s deaf and won’t hear my voice..
Scruffing works, but like Franny correctly pointed out it should not be overused. It is definitely not the right way to discourage a cat from climbing on furniture.
“Scruffing” works because cats, even those long past kittenhood, have a built-in tendency to relax completely when picked up by the “scruff” of the neck…which is how mother cats transport their kittens when/if necessary!
It is totally harmless to the cat involved…UNLESS you attempt to carry an adult cat in that fashion…! When a
kitten is “scruffed” by its mother, its
powers of movement cease…and it falls into a semi-fetal position suitable for
being carried. The same thing…grasping
an adult cat by the “scruff of its neck,” effectively paralyzes the cat (it is a reflex left over from kittenhood!). If nothing else, it is a great way to interrupt undesired behaviour…!
Steven C. Barr
stevenc@interlinks.net
Steven C. Barr said: “UNLESS you attempt to carry an adult cat in that fashion…!”
Excellent point, Steven! I need to add that to the article, and will, right now.