How To Fix Cat Scratches On Wood?

In horror movies, the sound effects of nails being scratched against wood or other surfaces were added to create a more creepy theme, at points it succeeded too but it just annoys when your cat does it.

Adding to the annoying sound, which awakens all the pet peeves in most of us they leave marks on wood that do not look good and also stand out on the dark wood creating an unpleasing contrast.

Cats scratch things out of boredom or to seek attention. But when they do so they don’t realize that they may be damaging some precious stuff or leaving ugly marks on beautiful pieces of wood. 

Some species of wood are hard to replace so the issue becomes whether they can be fixed or not?

The answer would be yes they could be fixed let us find out how. 

Why Does My Cat Scratch On The Door Frame?

There could be varied reasons as to why your cat is scratching the door frame or any other surface. 

The possibility of why your cat scratches the door frame is :

1. Nails: when a cat’s nails aren’t trimmed and groomed they start scratching surfaces to exercise their use. They may even scratch places accidentally while handling things but due to long nails scratch the surfaces.
2. Territory: cats are fiercely protective of their possessions, they are known for marking their territory and controlling the said area. They scratch at places that fall under their territory. 
3. Boredom: out of boredom or to catch your attention the cat would scratch at surfaces. It may even do it to catch your eye or if it gets a successful reaction out of you it may do it over and over again as the cat would take it as an indication, that if it scratches the surface it would make you give attention to it. 
4. Exercise: if the cat isn’t getting enough physical workout, it may start scratching surfaces to exercise its muscles and flex its nails and paws.
5. Stress: anxiety and restlessness may be another reason your cat is scratching at the door frame or wood.

It is not necessary that the reason your cat is scratching the door frame is one of the above but these are the most probable explanations as to why it is happening.

The reason could not be medically concerning as scratching is a voluntary movement and is controlled by the cat itself, so if you wonder if this is related to the cat’s health you can relax because it is not a medical emergency.

How Do I Stop My Cat From Scratching My Door Frames?

You cannot stop your cat from scratching your door frames if it falls into the territory of the cat, it would either pee or scratch the area to mark its ownership and assert dominance.

But for other reasons you might wanna try these things:

1. Scratching posts

If your cat is getting inadequate physical exercise, it would scratch at different surfaces. You could use a scratching post so that your cat could flex and use its nails on the post and spare other surfaces around the house.

The scratch posts are also designed to provide enough resistance which is required to flex their muscles.

2. Stronger wood

Your cat might be the reason for scratching the wood on the door frame but, you can prevent it by using sturdier wood.

As technology advances, things around us change too lie now in the market you can find scratch-resistant and tougher quality wood which can be used in construction. 

3. Trimming 

One of the reasons cats scratch at surfaces is improper grooming. Make sure the nails of the cat are trimmed regularly to avoid unnecessary scratches and injuries too.

Regular grooming and manicure for the cat is an essential part of the cat’s hygiene and important for both, the cat and the people around it too.

4. Double-Sided Tapes

Cats despise any sort of sticky feeling on their paws, so you can prevent your cat from going to a certain place or scratching things you can use double-sided tapes on the surfaces and, the cat would avoid such places, but it might not be a 100% effective as some cats start playing with the tapes. 

5. Cat Scratch Doorframe Protector

Now, commercially a product called a cat scratch protector is available which can be put on surfaces if scratched and still would not affect the encased material and protect it.

One such product is specially designed for doorframes, this can also be used to protect doorframes.

All the above suggestions should suffice, and mostly protect the surfaces you want to preserve.

How To Get Cat Scratches Out Of Wood?

Wood is a material that often falls under the category of some of the frequently scratched surfaces by a cat. 

Scratches on the wood are distinctive and they stand out, fixing them is vital as they are not easy on the eyes.

The method to repair a cat scratch on wood would be carried out based on what sort of scratch it is. If the scratch is deeper the way to approach the issue is different.

For a lighter scratch, it can be fixed with the help of a stain or a polish but you might need wooden fillers for deeper scratches.

If you have a light scratch on your hand, you need to follow these steps:

1. Use sandpaper and carefully level the wood, be cautious as sometimes we ruin the object by sanding down too much, which could cause uneven ridges on the surface.
2. Get a matching wooden polish and apply it over the sanded area. Apply and reapply over the surfaces until it matches the color of the wood. Make sure it doesn’t stand out and matches the wood or else it would be too obvious.

Repairing light scratches are easier as they are just on the face of it but if the scratches run deeper it would require more effort and they would even take up more time.

Lighter scratches are easier to remove and the materials required could be easily found at your nearest hardware store.

How Do You Repair Deep Scratches In Wood?

To repair deep scratches you need more material than in fixing a lighter scratch. 

The issue with deeper scratches goes as it needs to be filled to be leveled with the surface. The substance you fill the scratch with depends on various factors, one of them being availability.

The required substances could be found at the hardware store or other things could be used as a substitute for the same.

To repair deep scratches you need to follow these steps:

1. Clean the scratch thoroughly, if there is anything stuck in there, it would hinder the efficient filling of the scratch.
2. Fill the scratch with a wood filler, for a more organic approach you can use walnut shells or cork instead.
3. Using sandpaper, level the filled scratch with the remaining surface of the wood
4. Using a suitable polish or stain that matches the remaining surface, polish the affected area. Apply more than one coat if required to match the wood on the surface. 

Deeper scratches are mostly results of repetitive scratching, it would be better to fix a scratch when it’s not too deep and find an alternative or a solution to your cat’s scratching. 

The chances of ruining the whole surface are more when the scratch is deep, hence you should opt for ways that divert your cat to other places before the scratch gets too deep.

How To Repair Cat Scratches On Banisters?

You might be wondering why would a cat scratch a banister, and considering it does could you repair it?

Yes, you could clearly repair a banister scratched by your cat, and here’s how :

1. First, clean the surface around the scratch 
2. Use sandpaper and level the surface of the scratch and align it with the remaining surface.
3. Then use a sealer to cover the surface.
4. If the scratch is deeper, you might need crayon wax to mix with the sealer and then use it on the banister to restore it.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Summary 

Scratching is an instinctive activity for your cat they scratch to express their emotions like stress, anxiety, or boredom. 

If you scold your cat after it scratches a surface it would do it again just to get a reaction out of you. So you should avoid it.

Even if your cat scratches surfaces like wood, to fix it a few simple steps could be followed to fix it. Sanding and then polishing is the standard procedure, but a few more steps need to be added if the scratch is deep. 

If the scratch isn’t deep it could be easily fixed. But isn’t it better to be safe than to be sorry? You should take the necessary precautions to protect your furniture.

A cat scratch protector is a very efficient option and it is easy to use too. If you had to what would you choose?

You must like to read about How to Fix Cat Scratches On Walls?

References

• https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/destructive-scratching
• https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-destructive-behavior
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/scratching-behavior-in-cats