8 Ways to Keep Your Cat From Destroying Everything

Is your cat destroying everything in your home? If so, they might need some extra attention on your part. Just like dogs, cats can be crazy and need some special attention to help them to not become destructive and naughty.

This post is going to talk about eight ways to keep your cat from being destructive and crazy. If you have a crazy cat that is bouncing off of the walls, you should follow these tips.

There is usually a simple reason for a pet behaving naughtily and only requires a few daily habit changes to help.

Put Up Scratch Posts

Scratch posts are one of the best things that you can put up to keep your cat from destroying everything. Scratch posts are a rewarding toy that can not only distract and entertain them, but get out that instinctual need to scratch. This can help them to stop scratching up furniture legs and the side of your couch. This also helps to control their nails, making them slightly duller and less harmful to furniture and humans.

Have Play Time

Some cats are naturally lazier and don’t want to play very often. But energetic cats need their playtime, or they can become destructive.

You will need to set time aside every day to play with your cat. This should include a variety of toys to keep them focused and interested. This will help them get out the hunting instinct that leads them to jump and claw at things. It can also help them to be less aggressive if they have a tendency to bite or scratch.

Let Them Look Out the Window

Letting your cat look out of a window is a great way to keep them busy all day. Without any extra work required from you!

This is an enriching activity that is good for all cats to have if they are an indoor cat. It stimulates their brain and gives them something new to look at during the day.

Try to set something that they can sit or lay on near a window so that they can enjoy the view. This is great for hyperactive and naughty cats.

Give Them Plenty of Toys

Cats need their toys just like dogs do and this is especially important for cats that want to destroy everything!

If you have an active and energetic cats, make sure that you are providing them with plenty of toys. This should include toys that they can play with by themselves. Cats don’t mind playing alone, and it is good for them when you aren’t available to play.

Trim Their Claws

If your cat is trying to destroy every good piece of furniture in your house, you might need to trim their claws. Try to start doing this at a young age so that they will be used to it and will not fight you when you try to trim their nails.

Trimming cats’ claws is good for them, as it helps to keep them out of mischief like scratching table legs and tearing up blankets.

Just remember, only trim the top of their nails. If you cut too low, you could hurt them. Never declaw your cat, as it is incredibly painful and inhumane.

Give Them Treat Toys

Another kind of toy that you can introduce to your cat is the amazing treat-dispensing toy. If you have a dog you most likely have already tried some of these toys, but they are good for cats as well!

Cats will love the reward of getting a sneaky treat as they play with a special treat toy. This is great for cats that are heavily motivated by food and treats.

If your cat is generally lazy but still destructive, you could try giving them a treat toy. The food will motivate them enough to play until they aren’t interested in destroying your home.

Have Cuddle Time

Sometimes cats will be destructive and naughty out of a need for attention. Like children, they might resort to getting negative attention if they are feeling neglected.

Cats are easy to ignore throughout the day because they are so quiet and solitary. But cats need attention too and can become naughty to get the attention that they want so badly.

To try to prevent this, you can set aside a special time each day for cuddles. Grab a fuzzy blanket and have a 30 minute to one-hour cuddle session to make sure your cat feels loved and heard.

This will help them to not need to seek out that negative attention.

Be Careful How You Play

Cats are very sensitive creatures and can become overstimulated very easily. If you play too rough with your cat, you just might be doing more harm than good.

If you play very roughly or use your hands, you could be encouraging bad behaviors like scratching, biting, and generally playing too hard.

This can actually make your cat more destructive in your home and even a bit aggressive. Try to play calmly and switch tactics if you can see that your cat is getting too frantic. Avoid playing with your hands or roughhousing, as this can encourage biting and scratching. 

Keep playtime fun but learn when you need to wind your cat down instead of making them wilder.

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