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Your
cat will need a good scratching post, which he will
need to learn how to use as a kitten. Pictured
here is the Two Tier Scratch & Perch with
Sisal by Greenduck, sold at Petsmart for $64.99. This
is just one example of a scratching post, but I chose
to show it because it highlights different aspects
of most. A good scratching post will have a few
tiers for your cats to climb on. As well as having
a carpet surface for the cat to scratch on, it also
contains sisal rope (the tan part) for a different
textured surface. Other more complex scratching
posts contain little toys hanging down from some of
the tiers as well as little cubbies for your cat to
hang out in.
You
can find directions online how to make your own |
scratching
post. Be creative - my brother made a post for our cats that is covered with rough carpet. It
isn't your typical post, but our cats enjoy playing on
it. He also put a small (about 4"x4") hole
in one of the corners on the top, which provides endless "poke
your friend through the hole" fun.
To teach your cat how to use the post, put his paws up on
the post and show him how to scratch by pulling his paws
gently down the post. If your cat still doesn't learn
after a few times of teaching him this, turn the post on
its side. The cat's natural curiosity will get the
best of him and he'll start to climb it and naturally start
to scratch at it. Once he understands what to do, leave
it on its side for about two weeks (or until you notice him
scratching on a regular basis) then put it upright. He
should go to it fine after that.
Because
most scratching posts have a carpet coating, your cat may
wrongly scratch normal carpet. If you see him doing
this, a firm "NO" and picking him up and putting
him by his post will stop this. Do this if he is
scratching any surface that is not approved - a loud noise
when he does it or a simple squirt of water (don't let
him see you do it - you don't want him to associate the
water with you) will also do the trick.
Many
people get their cat declawed because
of scratching problems. This is not the
answer. All cats can be trained, and their natural
body parts should not be removed to save someone's couch. Patience
and guidance will solve any scratching problems, not a
horrible surgical procedure.
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