Your new living room furniture is in tatters. Your nerves are frayed. Your cat thinks you have morphed into someone he doesn't know and you need a solution to his inappropriate scratching behavior now! Sound familiar? Well, this was our situation a few months ago until we got a handle on a strategy that works.
Cats need to scratch! It helps them excercise their front leg muscles and tendons. It helps to shed old outer layers of the nail sheath. It helps alleviate frustration and boredom and it marks their 'territory' in your home.
Once you realize this it is much easier to arrive at an equitable solution. Rather than concentrating on eliminating the problem ( which isn't going to happen ) you need to find a way to redirect the behavior to an appropriate area in your home.
There are many products on the market which offer a solution. We found a combination of a good quality scratching post wrapped in sisal rope and a set of clear, acrylic shields which fasten to the corner areas of your couch and chair work best. If you need to learn where to purchase these products, visit our website listed below.
The shields are used to cover up areas your cat has already been scratching, in order to redirect him to the post. The scratching post should be tall and heavy enough so your cat can extend his full torso up high enough to offer a good stretch. Most cats are vertical scratchers. They reach up, extend the front arms, claw the scratcher and pull downwards towards the ground. If the post moves around too much they will likely not use it again so make sure it is stable.
If your cat likes catnip, rub some into the sisal rope on the post. Hanging his favorite toy on the top of the post will help get his attention also.
The first time he uses the post you need to heap lots of praise on him, pet him, give him a treat and let him know that he is a 'good boy.' Cats do not relate punishment to the behavior they are engaged in but they do understand very well when they have done something that pleases you if you communicate that effectively. It shouldn't take long for your cat to figure things out if you use this strategy.
Our cat Milo is hillarious! Now when he needs to scratch he sits in front of the post, reaches up to scratch, stops and turns to make sure we are watching him and then does his business. Then he turns to us as if to say, 'hey, aren't I a good boy?'
Brad Knell is the webmaster at http://www.stopcatscratching.com which is one of a series of websites created to help people with their pet problems.
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..Yes! We love our wonderful and dear Pooches! We care... Read More
Can Your Dog Stomach This?There's an old adage that says... Read More
If you've ever watched as a cat "flipped" over fresh... Read More
Have you ever been to a dog kennel and listen... Read More
a) GrowlingIf your rabbit growls or grunts at you, she... Read More
Dog training is not rocket science and is not as... Read More
A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More
How do you build a goldfish pond outdoors?The tools you... Read More
The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More
Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close... Read More
Caring for a kitten is a lot of work. With... Read More
Picture this. You're late for work one day. You look... Read More
Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do... Read More
Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More
Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In... Read More
"Dogs have owners; cats have staff," and I have worked... Read More
The large animal organizations and the public money.It is said... Read More
Dog DoorsWhen we think of dog doors, we think of... Read More
Everybody loves a baby animal and Westie puppies are adorable,... Read More
One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to... Read More
Because it is imperative that discus fish have optimal water... Read More
Taurine, a water-soluble amino acid, has recently become the topic... Read More
Having a boxer dog as a pet, although low-maintenance, require... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The... Read More
Dogs have been known as man's best friend for decades.... Read More
Buying a pet bird can be quite an investment. After... Read More
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the... Read More
Most of the diseases that threaten goldfish can be cured.... Read More
The shutting and opening door trick can be taught to... Read More
Was he the world's greatest horse trainer of all time?... Read More
Dog obedience training starts even before you get your puppy... Read More
Westies dogs' owners delight in the companionship their dogs give... Read More
Adopting a dog is a lot of fun, but it... Read More
It was the Saturday morning of August 20, 2004 and... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
Many people ask the question: "Should we get a purebreed... Read More
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More
Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
Training Tips for a Happy and Healthy Relationship with Your... Read More
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the... Read More
Here are 5 things to do to put the odds... Read More
The 10 Greatest Puppy Training Tips of All Time According... Read More
Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
Dog clicker training is so much fun for both dogs... Read More
As much as you love the sound of your new... Read More
Pet |