There are many benefits to keeping pets. Some friends will keep pet dogs, while others will keep pet cats. However, you will find that cats often scratch things at home, and cat scratches can be seen on many furniture, so we must Cats should be trained to use scratching posts to prevent them from damaging furniture. So, how to train a cat to get rid of this bad habit?

1. Reasons why cats love to scratch furniture

1. Scratch the cat’s nature

Cats like to scratch furniture because cats are born to sharpen their claws. When cats are scratching objects, they always like to scratch in the same place or part. Some cats will scratch furniture and feel a sense of accomplishment.

2. The furniture is smelly

This is because cats have abundant glands on their feet that can secrete sticky and smelly liquid. During the scratching process, the liquid adheres to the surface of the scratched object. The smell of this mucus will attract the cat to the same place again. Grasp. If your cat likes to scratch furniture, correct it immediately and use a scratching post.

3. Daily habits

Some cats often scratch after waking up from sleep and stretching. This may be because when the cat developed this behavior, it did not correct it more, and it became a habit once, twice, or three times.

4. Grind your claws to show your power

Grinding the claws is also to show one's power and increase the scent. Cats have scent glands inside their front feet, so they grind their claws to leave behind their scent. Claw grinding is the most difficult thing to do when training a cat.

2. Methods to train cats not to scratch furniture

1. Trim nails regularly

Cats grind their claws to wear off old nails. Regularly trimming the cat's nails can not only reduce the destructive power of the cat grinding its claws on the furniture, but also prevent the owner from being accidentally scratched by the cat when playing with the cat.

2. Use a grabbing board or climbing frame

If you want to prevent cats from sharpening their claws on furniture, you must provide them with other tools for sharpening their claws. You can provide cats with scratching boards or cat climbing frames specifically for cats to sharpen their claws, so as to divert the cat's attention from the furniture to the scratching board.

3. Stop immediately if found

Many times cats know that scratching furniture is wrong, but for the purpose of attracting attention or venting their dissatisfaction, they will scratch the furniture deliberately, and they will even look at you provocatively while sharpening their claws.

Experts explain: This kind of behavior must be stopped immediately.

4. Spray lemonade on the furniture

Most cats hate the smell of lemon and will stay away from it. If the cat at home refuses to change, you can only spray some lemon juice or lemon essential oil diluted with water on the furniture.

5. Put coats on furniture

Some cats are stubborn and insist on fighting with furniture to the end. For such cats, there is really no choice but to put coats on the furniture at home.

3. Things to note when purchasing cat scratching posts

1. Avoid the same materials

Avoid purchasing cat scratching posts made of the same material as your home furniture and furnishings. For example, if you don’t want your cat to scratch the carpet in your home, don’t choose a scratching post made of woven carpet. Otherwise, your cat will be easily confused and won’t understand why this one can be scratched and that one is not allowed to scratch.

2. The cat scratching board should be fixed

The long and square scratching board mentioned above can be erected and fixed. The height is about the height of the cat standing on its hind legs, and it can be grasped in a stretched posture. It is the most popular. Remember to fix it firmly. It's easy to use.

3. The grabbing area is large enough

The cat scratching post placed flat on the floor must be large enough for the cat to lie on it with its entire body, so that it will not be eliminated by the cat because it is difficult to exert force, and it will not be of any use.

4. Set up multiple grab boards

It is recommended to prepare at least two cat scratching boards, because not one is enough. The more places where the cat scratching boards are set up, the better, in case the cat wants to scratch but there is no scratching board and scratches the furniture.

Many cats like to scratch things randomly, and they also have irritable personalities. Many cats need to scratch or show their power. Therefore, we must understand the reasons why cats scratch their claws. At the same time, you can effectively prevent cats from scratching furniture by trimming their nails regularly, using special scratching posts for cats, and putting coats on your furniture.