Give Your Cat It’s Own Scratching Post

We never gave Mo her own scratching post when we first brought her home and boy did we regret it. When she first came home she was so happy to finally be out of the rescue centre and back in a home environment that all she wanted to do was to make it her own. She then proceeded to scratch chairs, sofa’s, door frames, carpets and duvets, in fact anything that was either soft and squeegee or where she could leave her mark on it.

Don’t make the same mistake as us. Remember cats use scratching as a form of territory marking. By not providing Mo with her own scratching post and training her that it was good to use it, we instantly made every other item in the house a target for her dreaded sharp claws.

Train your cat to use a scratching post

cat scratching by karindlziel flickr.com

Obviously the best time to train your pet is when they are still kittens. This will hopefully prevent them from getting into any bad habits. But don’t worry if you do have a cat that is already scratching the furniture, it is possible to break this habit and train them to use a scratch post.

Some cats will instantly take to a scratching post and know how to use it straight away, while others will need guidance. In all cases it is best to provide some form of training just to reinforce the message.

Step 1. Make sure that you have provided your cat from day one with a scratching post. It should be looked upon as standard pet equipment like a food bowl and litter tray.

Step 2. Make sure you place the post near to where your cat sleeps or eats. Generally it is after sleeping or eating that they like to sharpen those claws. So make it the first thing available to them at these times.

Step 3. Never try to push your cats claws into the post as demonstration. This will only frighten them. The best way is to get their attention and then scratch the post yourself. Do this often (even if you do feel a little silly), your cat will soon get the message and copy your actions.

Step 4. Lay the post down on the floor if possible and encourage your cat to play around it with you. You could drag string along it, which will encourage them to scratch the post. Always remember to praise your cat when they do this.

Step 5. If you are training an adult cat, you could try rubbing catnip onto the post, or placing catnip toys around it.

Scratching Posts come in all sizes and shapes.

A quick visit to our scratching posts page will show you that there are a wide variety of different types of posts available. However it is worth putting quite some thought into which one to buy, as there may be things you haven’t considered.

Space – where are you going to put the post in your home? Some can be quite large and a strange shape. Make sure that you will have space for it.

Safety – make sure that the post is sturdy enough for your cat or cats. It should not wobble and it should be heavy enough that it can not be pulled over by your cat when they are using it. If you have a large cat like a Main Coon, you will need to get a heavy duty scratching post.

Fun – Think about how your cat will use the post and how will they get the most enjoyment out of it. Make sure that the post is covered with a material that will shred. Rope is a good example, as it is very durable but also has a good texture for your cats claws to get stuck into. There are also many cat scratch toys which are also good fun.

Cat training your pet not to scratch the furniture

Some cats will of course love their new scratching post, but will see no point in giving up their favourite habit of scratching your furniture. When this is the case there are still a few tricks up your sleep in the war against shredded furniture.

Sprays - There are sprays on the market that are safe for you to use on your furniture to make it less appealing to your cat. Your cat is far more sensitive to strong smells than we are.

Claw covers – There are suppliers of special little plastic claw covers that fit over each claw, that stop your cat when they are in the house from damaging the furniture. Some people also like to use them if they have a cat that has a tendency to scratch people. They do not hurt or harm the claw. These are recommended for cats that do not go outside. A video of the process can be found on www.catworld.tv. (NEVER HAVE YOUR CAT DELAWED, IT IS INHUMANE).

Sticky Paws – This product is basically sticky strips which can be attached to the legs and arms of furniture that when the cat tries to scratch there it doesn’t like the sticky sensation on its feet and so makes that spot unappealing to your cat.

Scat Mats – Or should I call them scatter mats for us Brits. These are devices that can be placed on the backs of furniture or work surfaces etc, where you do not want your cat to walk on. They produce a little electric shock which although harmless will deter your pet from that area.

Patience is a virtue

Yes I know it’s boring to repeat training over and over again, but if you really want to save your furniture from your cats dagger like claws, then patience and persistence is the order of the day. Never scold your cat and always praise good behavior. This is how your cat will learn that the scratching post is the best place to exercise those claws.