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Save Your Furniture!

By: Andy Murkins

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Is your furniture becoming your cat’s personal scratching post? Does she seem to take delight in provoking you by shredding the upholstery to ribbons?
She's not trying to drive you up the wall (whether you believe it or not) : She's just doing what comes naturally to her. So the solution isn't getting your cat to stop scratching. The solution is to encourage her to use an acceptable alternative-- something that isn't your furniture!
Read on to learn how to train your cat to use a scratching post.
Why Do Cats Scratch? 
Cats like to scratch for many reasons. The first reason is obvious, they like to keep their claws sharp. Secondly, a cat will scratch to help remove old sheaths growing over their claws.
As a cat scratches it also helps them tone their muscles, its good exercise!
Scratching is also a way for a cat to mark her territory. Leaving big scratches proclaims to the world, "I was here. This is my turf." The cat also leaves her scent this way.
As you can see, no matter how much you try to train her out of scratching, it’s simply not going to work, it goes against her nature.
The solution is to get her to use an appropriate alternative.
Choosing a Cat Scratching Post
A good cat scratching post must be sturdy. Don’t go for the cheap option, you want something strong enough to take your cats assault, you also need to bare in mind that if the post constantly falls over, she’s unlikely to keep using it.
Cats also like to stretch full length whilst scratching, so make sure the post you choose is tall enough to allow for her.
It needs to be covered in the right material. Believe it or not, your cat won't be thankful for extra soft material. Cats like scratching surfaces that are rough, grippy, and shred easily.
Sounds kinda like a tree doesn’t it? It should, big cats in the wild love to scratch on trees, they are tall, rock solid and fun to shred.
Getting Your Cat to Use the Scratching Post
It's not enough to buy a scratching post and hope your cat transfers her affections to it. You need to make it as attractive as possible.
Location matters! Place it close to your couch or wherever your cat loves to scratch. Don't work against your cat's routine. If the scratching post is tucked away in some corner of your house your cat never uses, why would she bother with this thing?
You can make the post more attractive with catnip and feather toys. You might want to start off by playing with your cat around the scratching post. When she digs her claws into it, praise her. Give her a treat. You want her to associate this new toy with fun and good experiences.
What Not to Do When Your Cat Scratches Your Furniture 
Even if your cat likes the scratching post, that's no guarantee she'll automatically stop scratching up your furniture. She's used to her old scratching spots, and besides, they carry her scent.
Here's what NOT to do when your cat starts scratching your furniture.
DON'T strike your cat or yell at her. She won't connect her behavior with your displeasure. She will just be confused, frightened, and come to see you as someone who comes unglued for no logical reason. Or she may think your temper tantrum is connected with something that has nothing to do with her scratching, such as another person in the room.
Don’t pull your cat away from your furniture, if she holds onto the furniture it could damage her claws, even pulling her away gently and putting her near the post (as some owners advise) may not be the best strategy. It’s better if the cat thinks scratching the post was her idea.
Instead, try to divert your cat's attention. Call her name, distract her with a toy. Casually draw her attention to the scratching post by playing with her.
Making Your Funtiure less Desirable for Scratching
There's something about your couch that your cat just loves. It probably all started because the material is perfect for scratching-- it practically begs to be scratched. The couch is sturdy, like a tree. And best of all, it smells like her now.
There are lots of things you can do to discourage your cat from scratching your furniture:
Use a double sided tape. Cat’s don’t like to scratch on sticky things, covering her favorite scratch spots is usually more than enough to prevent her.
Clean your couch. Sounds simple, but it will remove her scent, it’s no longer her territory. She may move on and find that scratching post. Make sure to test the cleanser on a small part of your couch first as to make sure it doesn’t damage your upholstery.
Move your couch. Whilst not the solution for everyone, if you can put your couch in another room where it is inaccessible your cat can’t scratch it. Simple.
Spray the couch with scent, a citrus smell is good as cats generally hate the small. Make when you spray it, it doesn’t go near the scratching post though.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

If you're looking for a cat scracthing posts that ticks all the right boxes, my recommendation is KitForCats.com

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