Most cats have the habit of scratching things. If the owner does not prepare a scratching board for the cat, it is likely to scratch the delicate furniture and leave scratch marks. But in fact, cats like to scratch things, not only to sharpen their claws, but also to leave their own marks.

It is instinct for cats to sharpen their claws

Wild cats have the habit of sharpening their claws, which is one of the basic behaviors for survival. They will leave paw prints with their paws near where they sleep or rest to let other cats know that this is their territory. In addition, claw sharpening can also grind away the worn old nails, exposing the new sharp nails, which can be used as self-defense weapons. Because there are glands on the cat’s fleshy balls that secrete pheromones, the paws will be sharpened while leaving a scent to prove that the cat is nearby and enhance the cat’s self-confidence; it also makes the cat feel comfortable after entering this range. and safety.

Cats raised by humans no longer need the function of claws, but nature is easy to change and cats still have the desire to sharpen their claws. Even if owners allow cats to use scratching posts, some cats will still choose to sharpen their claws on furniture, especially leather sofas or rattan furniture.

Cats who are territorial or confident will more often use their claws to declare their territory. It is difficult for the owner to persuade the cat not to sharpen its claws, because the cat will have a unique pleasure when it digs its claws into the furniture. In addition, Xuanyuejun also advises owners not to scare the cat, because this is not only ineffective, but may also cause more problems; the correct method is to induce the cat to grind its claws somewhere!

Let cats fall in love with scratching posts

Once a cat scratches a piece of furniture, it will identify this place and always scratch it. If the owner wants to induce the cat to use a scratching post, he can choose a corrugated cat scratching board, but it is best to place it on the ground so that the cat can scratch it better, especially for young cats. Prepare it for it from an early age and place it when sleeping or A resting place; or the owner can fix it to the wall. Here, I would like to remind you that we do not recommend owners to use upright cat scratching posts as they are not as effective as those fixed on the wall.

For furniture that has been scratched, you can place some obstacles next to the furniture to prevent cats from touching the furniture, or you can directly block the cat scratching board in front of the furniture, or spray an odor that cats don’t like on the furniture, such as fragrance. You can also use plastic wrap on the furniture or tape it on its back, because cats don’t like the smell of plastic or sticky things.

In addition, hosts can also refer to the following suggestions:

1. Place the scratching post close to where the cat sleeps and rests.

2. Prepare two or more cat scratching posts as much as possible, because one of them needs to be placed in the sleeping area.

3. Try to fix the cat scratching board on the wall, so the effect will be better.

4. The best size of the cat scratching post is about fifteen to twenty centimeters wide and thirty to forty centimeters long.

5. Please choose to place the cat scratching board on the ground or fix it vertically on the wall.

6. The vertical cat scratching post is best about 30 centimeters above the ground. Owners can adjust the height according to the cat’s body shape and size, mainly so that the cat can easily stand and catch the scratching board.

7. It is recommended to choose softwood as the material of the cat scratching board, such as pine, cedar, and redwood. In addition, it is best to wrap hemp rope around the outside.

8. It is recommended to wait until the cat gets used to using the scratching post before moving the scratching post to the place the owner wants.

9. It is recommended to wait until the cat is accustomed to using the scratching post before removing the plastic or tape on the furniture.

10. It is best to choose the material of the cat scratching board that the cat likes.

11. For cats who like catnip, you can put catnip on the scratching board to attract cats to the scratching board.

12. You can put fluff on the edge of the cat scratching board to induce cats to scratch the scratching board.

13. You can hang a toy that the cat likes from the upper end of the scratching post, which can better attract the cat and make the cat fall in love with the scratching post.

14. If the cat is really unwilling to use the scratching post, you can try using wood instead of the scratching post. Otherwise, you will have to trim the cat’s nails.

15. Try not to buy a scratching post that cannot be scratched. Cats will not like it. If the scratching post is damaged, there is no need to rush to replace it, because cats like this kind of mark.

Don’t force the cat

Some owners will actively use the cat’s front feet to grind the scratching post, but it is best not to do this, because this will make the cat feel disgusted, which will last for life, and may even refuse to use the scratching post. Some owners will personally demonstrate how to do it, but the cat will not be able to understand it and will only find it confusing. Cats are very self-thinking animals. Forcing them to behave will only make them disgusted. Owners, please don’t do those thankless things.

There are many ways to prevent cats from scratching furniture. As long as the owner patiently guides them, they can change the position and habits of cats scratching their claws, thereby changing their behavior.