As any pet owner can tell you, your furry companion isn’t a toy and has a mind of its own – and that comes with the risk of them damaging certain items in your home. One common complaint from pet owners is their pet scratching up the carpets, whether in the corners and lifting the fitting edges or in the middle to leave an unsightly, barren patch that stands out among the rest of the surroundings. However, hope is not lost; many ways exist to stop animals from destroying your household furnishings.
As any pet owner can tell you, your furry companion isn’t a toy and has a mind of its own – and that comes with the risk of them damaging certain items in your home. One common complaint from pet owners is their pet scratching up the carpets, whether in the corners and lifting the fitting edges or in the middle to leave an unsightly, barren patch that stands out among the rest of the surroundings. However, hope is not lost; many ways exist to stop animals from destroying your household furnishings.
Whether you own a dog, a cat, both, or another small animal, there are a few reasons why your pets may be scratching the carpet, including:
- Stress or anxiety
- Trying to bury something
- Boredom and under-stimulation
- Happiness or grooming
If it isn’t already obvious, pets will scratch carpet for a variety of reasons and while it can occasionally be cause for concern, such as being stressed out, it could also be a way to get out excess energy when they’re happy to see you, or simply a response to being bored.
There are solutions to this problem and it’s a relatively easy fix with patience and time.
Here at QC Flooring, we have been providing a range of flooring solutions to our customers for many years now, and we have learned some great tips for keeping your carpet safe from your pets claws or teeth. Our experts have put together this guide to help you protect your carpets – and even other soft furnishings in your home – from your pets.
Main Reasons Your Dog is Scratching the Carpet
No two animals are the same, but dogs may have a very different reason to scratch or otherwise damage carpet in the home compared to cats, and the main motivations are usually on the more negative side. Before you worry, no your dog isn’t maliciously doing damage for the sake of it. While puppies may just be looking for something to chew or damage while teething, older and trained dogs who exhibit this behaviour may have a different reason for doing so. Some of the common reasons dogs scratch at carpet include:
Boredom and Under-Stimulation
Dogs are very high energy pets who require plenty of stimulation and exercise, and when these needs aren’t being met they can find destructive ways to keep themselves entertained. As well as carpet scratching, this could also manifest as chewing furniture, digging holes, and other less than desirable activities. Providing a good amount of play and mental stimulation is the key to keeping this behaviour in check.
Pain or Discomfort
It’s hard for our canine companions to tell us when something is wrong, especially when they aren’t displaying physical symptoms like a limp. However, one of the main reasons your dog could be scratching your carpet could be due to being too hot, cold, or in some form of pain. If they’re too hot or cold, chances are they are ‘digging’ the carpet in an attempt to create a shelter, while for pain or other discomfort it’s more likely a way to channel frustration.
Behaviour Issues
Many pet experts and dog trainers confirm that issues around behaviour is the main reason a dog may be exhibiting destructive behaviours like carpet scratching. When a dog is unsure of its hierarchy in the home they may scratch, urinate, or chew on soft furnishings to mark territory. They may also realise it’s a way to get attention for their actions and do it to gain acknowledgement from owners – even if that attention is negative.
Stress or Anxiety
If you have a dog who is naturally quite timid – an issue typically seen in rescue dogs who have spent time in kennels – they may be anxious of noises both inside and outside the home and try to burrow into carpet to escape it. These triggers could include fireworks, thunderstorms, or household noises like raised voices or loud footsteps. Providing them with a place to retreat or hide, and using positive reinforcement is the best way to break this habit.
How To Stop Your Dog Carpet Scratching
There are several steps you can take to stop your dog from exhibiting this behaviour and keep your carpets in good condition, but it’s important to first identify the underlying cause of your dog’s carpet scratching. Behaviour experts encourage owners to use positive reinforcement rather than punishment or else you may promote negative reactions as a way for dogs to gain attention. Some ways to approach this issue include:
Identify the Root Cause of the Issue
When you know the reason for your dog scratching up carpets, the behaviour is much easier to address.
Soothe Anxiety or Stress
If your dog is carpet scratching as a stress or anxiety response, providing them comfort, attention, or a safe place to hide can often quell their need to do it.
Provide Distractions
Using toys, treats, or good old fashioned attention can provide a distraction for your pooch, and using positive reinforcement in the form of these actions can discourage future unwanted behaviour.
Take Preventative Action
By keeping your dog in a carpet free environment when you aren’t home, or laying down mats or rugs to protect the carpet below, you can prevent your carpet from being scratched until the behaviour is properly addressed.
Why Is My Cat Scratching The Carpet?
Unlike dogs, who tend to scratch carpets for negative reasons, cats have a built in requirement to scratch objects to keep their claws in good condition. Similarly, cats exhibit carpet scratching as a way to play with owners, to mark territory, and to stretch the muscles in their back properly. Some of the other reasons your cat may be carpet scratching include:
Mental Stimulation
As previously mentioned, cats require a scratcher of some kind to perform self grooming and to keep themselves healthy and entertained. If your home doesn’t already have a scratcher for your cat to use, it’s essential to invest in one and replace it when it gets worn down, and scratching boards can be used on the floor in areas your cat typically targets, like corners or even patches closer to the centre – just make sure they don’t become a hazard for your household.
Anxiety and Stress
Like dogs, there could be an underlying cause to your cat’s carpet scratching, including anxiety or stress in certain situations. Many people don’t believe cats care too much about their owners, but being away from them for a long period of time could trigger an anxiety response along with loud noises or rehoming. Identifying the cause of anxiety or stress can help you create a plan to target the scratching behaviour and offer the correct solutions, including other distractions like toys and attention.
Enthusiasm and Excitement
Have you ever come home from a long day at work and you walk into your house to see your cat arched over, clawing the carpet, and purring or vocalising in some other way? This is excitement and enthusiasm over seeing you, having missed attention and feedings for the day. If you have an excitable cat, steps to prevent carpet scratching may include laying down some form of protection, or getting them off the floor as soon as they begin to do this. It can be harder to break this habit as there’s no real reason for it to happen other than an affection display.
Get in Touch With QC Flooring Today!
If you would like to find out more tips for preventing your pet from scratching your carpets, or to replace the ones in your home with quality ones from our team, please don’t hesitate to contact QC Flooring today! We provide a range of flooring options for your home, including professionally crafted carpets, luxury vinyl tiles, hardwood floors, and laminate, so we’re sure to have exactly what you need!
