Scratching is a natural instinct; even de-clawed cats try to scratch. You cannot teach a cat not to scratch, but you can provide an
appropriate place for it to scratch. Like most learning processes, this requires a little time on the part of the teacher and some
necessary supplies.
Get a scratching post that your cat likes. Scratching posts are available covered with a number of different materials and different cats prefer different substances. Scratching posts come covered with carpet, sisal rope, and wood. There are also flat scratching surfaces covered with corrugated cardboard that some cats like. Offer your cat small samples and see which he/she likes scratching on the most.
Then get a nice, stable scratching post. If the post falls over or moves when the cat tries to scratch, the cat is not going to be able to stretch and enjoy scratching and will probably prefer your couch. If you are creative, you can even make your own scratching post from wood and carpet fragments. Some people recommend attaching carpet to the post backward, claiming that the underside of the carpet offers a better scratching surface. Ask your cat before nailing it on. They also sell sisal rope in hardware stores.
Scratching posts with sisal rope; whether bought or hand made; usually cost a little more than straight carpet posts, but they last longer than carpet and provide a substance different than the carpet on your floor for your cat to scratch on.
Position the scratching post in a prominent position in a well-used room so that the cat is going to like being there.
Sprinkling catnip on the scratching post can help start the cat playing and scratching on the post. Playing with toys on or near the post may also help. During the first few weeks when you see your cat start to scratch on something other than the scratching post, say "No" firmly and carry your cat to the post.
Putting his paws on the scratchable surface sometimes will start him scratching. Don't fight him, though. Whenever he does scratch in the right place, praise him lavishly. After a few weeks when your cat has scratched on the scratching post enough so that you think he realizes that this is good behavior, start punishing him whenever he scratches something unacceptable.
Saying "No" works with some cats. Most cats, however, respond a lot better to a squirt bottle. Fill the squirt bottle with water, adjust the beam to "stream" and when the cat scratches on the couch, squirt him. If does not hurt the cat at all, but it gets the message across. Most cats, after being squirted a few times, will learn to respond to "No" when accompanied by merely picking up the squirt bottle and aiming.
If you are persistent and patient with punishment and offer an attractive scratching option, your cat will learn good scratching manners. back to top |