Coping With Scratched Furniture By The Cat
All breeds of cats, whether they are lions and
Cheetahs to Siamese and alley cats, they all have it in them to scratch. the three Behaviors of this are
•
Marking territory
•
Making sure the claw is in tip top condition
•
Loosening those ligaments and muscles of the feet and toes The claw the surgical removal of the first joint of the cat's toes, which includes both the nail and the cells from which new nails grow this will not stop the scratch behavior.
However it will be a less of the damage a cat can do. you then need to not completely stop the cat scratching but making sure the cat scratches in the places where it cant damage like toys cat trees or scratching posts.
Get the cat a good scratching post even give it two if you must or more. don’t forget the three reasons above for the scratching, making sure you get a good scratching post that will meet all of these needs.
Making sure also that its long enough for when your cat reaches the adult stage so it can have a good reach and stretch.
It will need to be a good steady one that a good 12 - 16 pound cat so it will be able to pull it all the way to the top and not tipping it over.
-51-
You can train your cat not to scratch the post but cover it with materiel fabrics that show scratch marks like sisal cloth, a lot of cats will be attracted to textured surfaces as scratching zones.
This way it will let the coarse weave hook in and get a real good stretch.
you will see the handiwork that shows the territory which is part of scratching and you will need this to get a proper scratching post.
However place it in sight. remember the last time you were looking for a particular address and none of the houses were clearly marked? have you said to someone, these things should be marked so people will be able to spot them.
But with the cat its exactly the same it marks the territory to show you base of address so to speak.
When the cat cant see the scratching post by sight placing it about 8
inches from the deck and by any direction of the room the cat will ignore it and go straight for the couch or that rug on the floor.
Making sure you take temptation out of sight. design your cats environment so it notices that the scratching post is more attractive than the carpet of furniture and
put washable area rugs about the place using hard floors rather that carpets in every room.
The same with furniture upholstered with textured weaves and wicker are almost certain to sustain scratching damage; and if you think that you will forever and always have cats, pick a different decorating scheme.
Having the old fashioned tried and trusted way of keeping your cats from scratching expensive garments and furniture, by placing the expensive things in a room and don’t let the cat have access to it and let it only hang around in other rooms.
Pause for claws. get your cats nails trimmed on a regular basis so it will not damage the expensive things you love if then your cat does not cooperate with you, hire a groomer or vet to get them cut for you.
hiding the evidence of the damage if the damage has already started by the cat, block it from view of the cat.
You can place heavy items in front of it that the cat wont scratch like TV
hifi computer desk or on high shelves, placing a sheet over the damaged furniture, you can also place them out of reach in a cupboard or in another room or removing items behind closed doors. -52-This can work in your favour as you will know where your cats territory is and your cat has identified this so place a scratching post next to the damaged furniture.
Making some alterations, but make them the positive ones. start using the bottle of spray to correct occasional scratching in undesirable locations.
Using real positive and reinforcement to use techniques to start encouraging the cat to use the scratching post only, hang some toys over the top so you get here to climb the post with or just swing them.
Scratch your fingernails on the materiel of the post to get your cat to start the Scratching there.
If you can remove the cat physically from scratching in an area that you have spot as an out of bounds area and place her paws In scratching position where you want it to go.
This will in all cases, lavish the cat with praise and petting for doing the right thing and even give some treats if you may.
-53-
