Sharpening
Up For Claw Control Duty
Any
cat owner knows that when it comes to scratching, it can quickly
come down to a test of will power, and often your feline friend
will win. So, when trying to control what you see as your cat's
"bad behavior", start with understanding why your pet
does the things she does.
In
the case of clawing and scratching, the truth is that it's a part
of basic feline behavior. Cats scratch to maintain the physical
health of their nails, not to irritate you! The activity removes
the dead, outer sheaths and reveals the new claws underneath. Scratching
is also used for marking territory, both visually and with scent.
Another benefit is exercise -- scratching stretches and tones the
shoulder and back muscles.
So,
why does your cat use your sofa as a scratching post? First determine
why your cat finds the furniture so appealing. It's possibly very
sturdy and won't topple over the way some scratching posts can.
The sofa is also probably covered with a nice, thick fabric that
the cat can really sink the claws into!
If
you'd prefer that your feline use a scratching post, provide one
that meets the need. The post you choose should be tall enough for
the cat to stretch out while scratching and have a strong, heavy
base to keep it stable. The covering should be a rough material,
such as sisal or a tough carpet.
To
train your pussycat, begin by covering the piece of furniture in
question until you're sure the post has become the preferred scratching
site. Or, you may choose to dissuade your cat from touching the
sofa by putting up strips of a special, "sticky" tape
that cats generally do no like to touch. Then put the post close
to the furniture. Use a toy, such as a cat dancer, to entice your
cat to it. Once she gets her claws into the post, your friend should
enjoy the feeling. Do not ever forcibly put your cat's paws on the
scratching post. Being too "pushy" with a cat can turn
any experience into a negative one.
If
you already have a post, but the cat simply won't use it, consider
this. Your pet has habits you need to observe and know. For instance,
you put the post in the bedroom, out of the way. Your pet, however,
prefers to scratch right after her daily nap, in front of a sunny
kitchen window. It's likely, therefore, that she won't use the post
in the bedroom! Moving the post to the kitchen may be the simple
solution.
If
your cat is rejecting the post, realize that some cats prefer horizontal
scratching surfaces. To meet this need, try a scratching pad.
Feeders
Supply offers several styles of scratching posts and carpet-covered
cat play furniture at all eleven stores. Our trained cat solutions
specialists can help you sharpen up for the challenge of dealing
with scratching! |