By 浙江华企信息技术有限公司 
Pets bring life to a home, but when they start scratching up the couch or digging holes in the yard every day, it wears on everyone. These habits usually come from somewhere—instinct, boredom, itchiness, or just too much energy with nowhere to put it. The trick is figuring out why it’s happening and then giving the pet better options. Most owners see real improvement once they make a few consistent changes to the routine, the space, and the daily care. It takes some trial and patience, but the house stays nicer and the pet ends up calmer.
Figuring Out What’s Behind the Behavior
Scratching and digging are built into many pets. Cats scratch to mark their spot and keep claws in shape. Dogs dig to bury things, cool off, or because it feels good. When it gets out of hand, though, there’s usually more going on.
Watch for patterns. Does the scratching spike when someone leaves the house? That can point to separation anxiety. Does it happen mostly on certain furniture? The texture might just feel perfect to them. Self-scratching all over the body often means itchy skin from dry air, food sensitivities, or little pests. Digging tends to flare up when the pet has been cooped up too long or when the weather turns warm and the ground feels inviting.
Spend a few days noting when and where it happens. Does it get worse after meals, at night, or when visitors come over? Simple notes like that make it easier to spot the trigger. Once you have a sense of the cause, the fixes become clearer. Ignoring the reason usually means the behavior just keeps coming back in new places.
Giving Them Better Places to Scratch
The easiest way to save furniture is to offer something the pet actually prefers. Put sturdy posts or boards near the spots they already target. Rough, fibrous coverings feel satisfying under claws and hold scent well, so the pet starts choosing them instead.
Make forbidden areas less appealing for a while—cover couch arms with temporary plastic or sticky sheets so paws don’t like the feel. Whenever the pet uses the right spot, a calm “good” and a small treat go a long way. For pets that scratch themselves raw, daily brushing helps remove loose hair and spreads skin oils around. A soft brush worked gently over the back and sides often turns into a relaxing ritual.
Keep the posts clean and in the same places so the habit sticks. Most pets switch over within a few weeks when the alternatives are more inviting and the old spots feel unpleasant.
Handling Indoor Digging
Carpets and couch cushions suffer when a pet decides to dig indoors. A simple fix is giving them their own digging zone—a shallow box filled with something soft like shredded paper or fabric strips. Tuck a few toys or treats inside to make it worth investigating. Place it in a quiet corner where the pet already likes to settle.
Burn off extra energy with more play sessions throughout the day. A quick game of chase or a puzzle toy that dispenses kibble keeps paws busy in better ways. If digging happens near doors or windows, it might be frustration at things passing by—curtains or a cozy bed moved away from the view can help. At night, a calming wind-down with gentle petting often prevents bedtime digging sprees.
These small shifts give the instinct somewhere safe to go, so the rest of the house stays intact.
Quick Reference Table for Common Fixes
| Behavior | Practical Steps |
|---|---|
| Furniture Scratching | Sturdy posts near target areas, temporary covers on furniture, praise for good choices |
| Self-Scratching | Daily gentle brushing, skin-soothing diet, regular grooming |
| Indoor Digging | Dedicated digging box, more play sessions, block exciting views |
| Outdoor Digging | Designated pit with loose material, supervised yard time, dense plant covers |
Managing Digging in the Yard
Gardens take a beating from determined diggers. Set aside one corner as an official digging pit—loose soil or sand, maybe with buried toys to keep it interesting. Most pets gravitate there once they realize it’s the easy spot. Protect flower beds with low fencing or thick mulch that’s harder to move.
Take the pet out on leash walks or play fetch regularly so the yard isn’t the only source of excitement. On hot days, a shallow water tray or shaded area gives a cooler option than digging holes. Keeping nails trimmed makes digging less rewarding on packed ground. With these boundaries, the yard becomes a place both pet and owner can enjoy.
Grooming Habits That Calm Itchy Skin
Itchy skin turns mild scratching into constant scratching. Brushing several times a week clears out dead hair and spreads natural oils. For thicker coats, a comb that reaches the underlayer works without tugging. Occasional baths with gentle cleansers wash away pollen or dust, but not so often that skin dries out more.
After brushing, a light mist of pet-safe conditioner keeps fur soft. Pay extra attention to belly, paws, and ears where irritation often starts. Short, calm grooming sessions build trust and cut down on the need to scratch. Pets usually end up dozing off mid-brush once they associate it with relief.
Food Choices That Help From the Inside
What a pet eats shows up in the coat and energy level. Meals rich in quality protein keep skin strong. Omega fatty acids from fish sources help hold moisture in and reduce inflammation. Whole ingredients like vegetables add fiber that steadies digestion and prevents restless behavior.
Watch portion sizes—extra weight means more boredom and more digging. Fresh water all day keeps skin hydrated. Some pets do better when common fillers are reduced. Slow changes to the bowl often bring shinier fur and fewer scratching fits over a few weeks.
Play and Exercise to Burn the Energy
A tired pet is usually a well-behaved pet. Daily walks on different routes give new smells and sights that satisfy curiosity. Indoors, short games with moving toys mimic hunting and tire paws out constructively. Puzzle feeders make mealtime a mental workout, cutting down on idle digging.
Water play in a kiddie pool offers fun without stressing joints. Rotate toys so nothing gets boring. Even older pets benefit from gentle activity spread through the day. The more appropriate outlets they have, the less they turn to furniture or the yard.
Calming Down Stress and Anxiety
Changes at home, loud noises, or long alone times can ramp up scratching and digging. Quiet corners with soft bedding give a safe retreat. Steady feeding and walking times create security. Gentle massage along the back releases tension.
Soft background sounds can cover sudden street noises. When the overall atmosphere feels predictable and calm, compulsive behaviors usually settle down.
Knowing When to Bring in Extra Help
If the habits continue no matter what you try, a vet visit rules out hidden health issues. Skin tests or diet trials sometimes uncover the real driver. For strong anxiety patterns, trainers familiar with positive methods can suggest specific routines.
Regular check-ins keep things on track. Combining home efforts with professional input often brings the quickest relief.
Building Good Habits Early
Starting young with acceptable outlets prevents big problems later. Plenty of appropriate toys and posts from the beginning teach boundaries naturally. Regular play and grooming become part of life before bad habits form.
Consistent gentle guidance shapes calm adults who know where to direct their energy.
With steady attention to their needs, pets can keep their natural behaviors without wrecking the house. The extra effort pays off in a happier pet and a more peaceful home.