If you own a cat, its destructive power is definitely not inferior to that of a naughty child. In addition to daily parkour, the worst time is when the cat is quiet. They may quietly destroy the curtains, sofas, etc. at home. Quilts, clothes, and rattan cabinets can be transformed into hand-made old styles made by cats. Practice your claws on all your favorite things.
1. Reasons why cats like to scratch furniture
1. Mark the territory
It is natural for cats to scratch things. Just like dogs marking their territory, they will leave their scent on it to confirm the territory. Only when cats move around in their own territory will they feel safe.
2. Remove dead skin and strengthen claws
By scratching, cats wear away the old cuticle on the outside of their nails, exposing the sharp claws that have grown inside, and renewing their weapons.
3. Exercise muscles and relax your mind
Cats with high energy will focus on a place and scratch hard to stretch their back and shoulder muscles to make them feel relaxed and comfortable, and to vent their energy that has nowhere to go.
2. Solution
1. Reduce the attractiveness of furniture.
Cover the furniture with smooth fabric or tape it on its back. The smooth surface will prevent the cat from scratching its claws. The tape on its back will make the cat stick to it and lose interest. In a few weeks, the cat will gradually lose interest and choose other options. Claw target.
2. Choose a scratching post that your cat likes.
Most cats like to “start” on rough materials that are easy to scratch and leave scratch marks, but different cats have different preferences in the selection of specific items. Observe the cat’s daily preferences, choose the material that the cat likes to sharpen its claws, and prepare several scratching boards of different materials for them to choose from.
3. Choose an appropriate location to place the cat scratching post
(1) Within the cat’s activity range
Place a scratching post at the corner of the main passage in your home, where cats often play and play, so that cats can notice it when they pass by.
(2) Cat sleeping area
The place where cats sleep is generally their chosen safe area. You can place something to sharpen their claws or put a cardboard nest here, so that they can solve the two tasks of sharpening their claws and sleeping at the same time~
(3) Next to the claw training furniture selected by the cat
If the cat has selected a certain piece of furniture, while reducing their interest, you should also place replaceable claw-grinding items next to the piece of furniture to divert their attention.
4. Attract cats to use the scratching post
Sprinkle some cat grass, catnip or polygonum on the scratching post to attract cats to use the scratching post.
5. Repair your cat’s nails regularly.
Trimming their claws regularly won’t completely solve your cat’s habit of scratching furniture, but it can help reduce the damage to a certain extent.
6. Don’t buy furniture that cats like.
When choosing furniture, try to avoid leather furniture, solid wood/rattan furniture, silk/gauze curtains, high-end carpets, and rough cloth materials with interwoven weaves. Even if you give cats a scratching post, it will be difficult to replace their place in their minds.
7. Limit bad scratching behavior in a timely manner
Whenever cats approach scratched furniture, stop them with a sound or smell that is loud enough to attract their attention. Over time, they will have a conditioned reflex to stay away from these furniture.
3. Warm reminder
Cat scratching posts are the best choice for rescuing furniture, but it takes time to encourage cats to use them. The owner must have a certain amount of patience to guide, and do not use intimidation or violence to correct them, so as not to affect the relationship with the cat.
Strongly resist “declawing surgery”. Cat declawing surgery is a surgical procedure to remove all or part of a cat’s toes, which is equivalent to removing the first phalanx of a human finger. It is very cruel. Some cats will have a drastic change in temperament, and serious complications may endanger the cat’s life!
Scratching is a natural activity for cats. Protecting furniture may require a little guidance and time. Parents should have patience and love, and raise pets more scientifically and rationally~
Original article author：Shit Shovel Officer，If reprinted, please indicate the source.：https://www.petcatanddog.com/article/10331.html