How to accustom a cat and kitten to a scratching post

If you own a cat, you are aware of how crucial it is to keep your furniture free from scratches. Naturally, cats scratch to sharpen their claws, stretch their muscles, and mark territory. Giving your cat a scratching post is an easy and efficient substitute for reprimanding them. However, what is the best way to motivate your cat or kitten to use it?

It may require some time and understanding to acclimate your cat or kitten to a scratching post. While some cats might take to it right away, others might require some instruction. It’s crucial to keep in mind that scratching is a normal behavior, so the objective should be to redirect it rather than to stop it altogether.

By using the proper methods and being a little bit consistent, you can train your cat to scratch in the right spots. This guide will provide you with helpful tips to make the process of training a new kitten or helping an older cat break a bad habit easier on both of you.

Why does a cat scratch furniture?

Cats are accustomed to filing down their claws. They don’t intend to cause havoc. To smooth out the surface, remove debris, and sharpen the tips, cats sharpen their claws. This is a form of paw muscle exercise. After waking up, the pet stretches sweetly and lets go of its claws to cling to something nearby, a behavior that the owners have undoubtedly noticed.

This is how cats mark their territory. Only animals can smell the distinctive secretion released by glands on the pads of their paws. Cats attempt to reach the upper mark with their paws as part of a daily "ritual" to imitate the appearance of a large, frightening predator that left this mark.

A scratching post is a practical addition that deters cats from attacking wallpaper and furniture. In actuality, though, teaching a pet to stand is far more challenging than, say, teaching it to relieve itself in a litter box. This is, after all, akin to training a cat and is linked to opposition to nature itself.

What measures should not be used when training a cat

If your cat has proven the sofa’s strength once more, you cannot hit or yell at it. Although it is unlikely that the pet will comprehend why they are upset with it, it will be afraid. Saying "You can’t" and slamming your slipper on the ground or clapping your hands together is a more appropriate response. The animal will recognize that this is improper and become cautious.

Take note! Cats are naturally vindictive. They are prepared to act cruelly in response to any hostility directed at them. It might relieve itself on the bed if you hit it or yell at it, for example.

When the cat starts sharpening its claws, you cannot use a spray bottle to mist it with water. Naturally, a pet will find it unpleasant to come into contact with water, so contact with a carpet, sofa, or anything else that its claws have previously gotten into will be linked to danger and should be avoided. Still, it is difficult to call this approach humane.

Crucial! Cats will occasionally sharpen their paws for no apparent reason. They make an effort to draw you in because they are aware that attention is given to them after they scuff furniture or carpet.

How to accustom a kitten to a scratching post

There should be a specific order to the initial steps in acclimating a cat to a scratching post.

1. Getting acquainted with the scratching post. You need to attract the kitten"s attention to the scratching post in a playful way. You should stand near the accessory and tease the pet with a moving toy or any other object that can arouse the animal"s interest. The kitten will play and clasp the scratching post with its paws.
2. After waiting for this moment, the owner can quietly scratch the post with his nails. The animal will hear the sound and may want to join in the exploration of the new thing.
3. If after the above manipulations the kitten does not understand the purpose of the accessory, it is necessary to place the scratching post in a horizontal position and play with the animal around it. A cat will probe the surface with its paws when it accidentally jumps on a scratching post while hunting for a toy. After a while, the pet will start using the scratching post without any hints or help from the owner.
4. As soon as the animal develops the skill of sharpening its paws on a special stand, the scratching post can be returned to its original position, more convenient for the owner.

Playing with the kitten close to the scratching post is the most efficient way to get them used to it.

This is one of those habits that is best developed when the animal is young, just like many other manipulations. particularly if the kitten attempted to mimic its mother by acting in the same way as she did. Consequently, it is advantageous if the baby’s parents are already used to it.

Six effective tips

The following practical advice will help you successfully wean a kitten from its scratching post:

1. Encourage your pet, when it independently approaches the stand and begins to cling to it with its claws. You can praise, stroke or give a treat.
2. Do not grab the pet by the paws and force him to scratch the scratching post. Even if the owner does it carefully and gently, the kitten still won’t understand what is wanted from it. It won’t like it. The animal will try to escape from your hands, and the scratching post will already be associated with something unpleasant
3. Try to attract the cat with mint. Do not use valerian (valerian), it distorts behavior like a drug and dulls the cat’s instincts. Take a small part of catnip and sprinkle (spray) the counter. This product attracts cats well, they begin to rub, purr and release their claws with pleasure.
4. When playing near the counter, be attentive and consistent in your actions so that the pet clearly understands what is wanted from it.
5. Do not play with the animal near curtains and furniture. By grabbing an object, the kitten will think that it can scratch other nearby things.
6. Cover the corners of the sofa and other furniture with something rustling, such as bags or foil, during the training to the scratching post. If the cat is scratching the carpet, it should be removed until the useful habit is finally established in the pet"s behavior.

It is advised to purchase horizontal scratching posts for kittens in the form of boards that have sisal or jute finishes. Since small pets’ paw pads are too soft and prone to mechanical damage, wooden devices are not the best choice for young children.

How to train an adult cat

It won’t take longer for adults to learn to use a scratching post because they are just as intelligent as kittens. You must behave as though this were a kitten:

1. Bring your pet to the stand, in this case you can move your paws along the upholstery of the scratching post.
2. If necessary, use additional motivation – play a toy with it, moving a mouse or a feather along the surface.
3. You can, as in the case of a kitten, rub the upholstery with catnip leaves, the main thing is not to overdo it, cats have a keen sense of smell and a strong smell can scare away the pet.

Crucial! If none of the above worked, try rubbing the stand’s surface with a rag you once used to stroke an odd cat. The animal will start using its claws to mark its territory once it detects the scent of another person. But keep in mind that cats have a slightly different marking style. A clean cat is unlikely to sharpen its claws on the scratching post again if urine gets on it.

Making a scratching post appealing and rewarding is the key to acclimating your cat or kitten to it. To attract your cat’s attention, start by putting it in a location where they enjoy hanging out. You can also attach toys or sprinkle catnip on it. Praise them when they scratch it and gently guide their paws on the post to encourage them to use it. Patience, positive reinforcement, and making the scratching post more visually appealing than your furniture are the keys to success. Over time and with regular use, your cat will come to prefer the post to scratch.

What will help attract a cat to the scratching post

You must first wean a pet to sharpen its claws in the customary manner—that is, around furniture, wallpaper, etc.—before you can draw it to the claw.

1. Scare away the favorite from the sofa or carpet will help A sharp citrus smell. Process your favorite claw sharpening places with lemon juice. This will keep the animal away from them for a long time.
2. Cats do not accept polyethylene, because its surface does not leave the slightest chance to catch claws. And from bubble wrap the cat even develops a fear. Cellophane should be used to cover furniture and places (wallpaper and doors) that your pet has chosen. For these purposes, it will do Bilateral tape, sold in pet stores. Когда питомец захочет поточить лапы, то начнет липнуть к поверхности, а кошки этого не любят.
3. As mentioned earlier, to attract a cat will help The smell of feline mint, toys, attached to the scratching post, as well as reward with a treat if the cat behaves correctly.

Scratching posts are the replacement that all protected areas need to find. You can make it yourself or purchase it from a specialty retailer. It is preferable to take one or more, make several, and stash them in special locations before starting the training process in accordance with the previously mentioned advice.

In case your pet isn’t able to get used to a scratching post, you may attempt the following:

• change the location of the stand, moving it to the corner where the cat is used to doing a "manicure";
• hang the pet"s favorite toy on the counter (and even better a bell or rattle, such things can arouse greater interest in the cat);
• Process upholstery powder or solution of feline mint;
• observe the animal and determine what surfaces it is most often derived: vertical or horizontal and what material is of greater interest. This will help when choosing a claw.

Creating a happy and healthy environment for your cat or kitten starts with acclimating them to a scratching post. Both your furniture and your pet will benefit once they get the hang of it, though it might take some time.

Don’t forget to put the scratching post in your cat’s favorite hangouts, especially the places where they like to take naps. To make the post more appealing, reward them with toys, treats, or even a small amount of catnip. Remember to give them credit for using it every time they do.

If your cat likes to scratch on particular surfaces, experiment with various kinds of posts. While some cats may prefer a combination of materials, others may prefer sisal or cardboard. Finding the ideal fit for your pet’s tastes may be accomplished by experimenting with different styles.

Maintaining consistency is essential. Whenever your cat begins to scratch furniture or other areas you want to keep safe, keep guiding them to the post. This encouraging feedback will eventually assist them in forming a natural habit of using the scratching post.

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