Does a particular article of furniture or your walls appear like they have been put through a shredder? Is your cat scratching everything but what he's suppose to? There are ways to keep your cat happy and healthy while allowing you to stop pulling your hair out.
First of all, scratching is a natural instinct for your cat. He's genuinely not trying to send you over the edge. Scratching helps to get rid of the dead cells off his claws, helping them to remain sharp and in peak condition. Scratching also helps your cat to feel good. As your cat scratches they also stretch, which helps improve their muscle tone.
A lot of people feel that the way to go is to declaw your cat. This is a procedure you do not want to take lightly. Declawing your cat is a controversial medical procedure. This requires removal of the nail, and occasionally even the end of the toe bone including the cells responsible for nail regeneration. The practice of declawing has lost its appeal in recent years, and has even been banned in some countries, unless medically required, because it's a painful, and for the most part, unneeded action.
Cats like rough surfaces that they can shred to pieces. You will need to provide an alternative solution to your furniture such as a scratching post, rope, or board. It is probably best to avoid carpet covered scratching posts as this may tend to teach your cat to scratch other carpeted areas. Once you have this then you can start training your cat to use it.
The best way to keep your cat from scratching your furniture and walls is to cover the target area with something your cat will find undesirable like double-sided sticky tape, sandpaper, foil, or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side facing out. You could apply an odor which your cat will not like by attaching cotton balls to the object such as perfume or a muscle rub. Make sure the scratching post is conveniently placed in front of what it is your trying to protect so your cat will readily accept this as their alternative. Try making your scratching post or board more enjoyable by rubbing it with catnip leaves or spraying a catnip mist on them.
Clipping your cat's claws regularly may also help to keep your belongings in better shape. If you have never done this before it can appear a bit daunting, but with a pair of cat nail clippers, it's not so difficult. Clip only the clear tip of the nail. Don't clip the area wherever pink tissue is seen or the somewhat opaque area that outlines the pink tissue.
For the first while, praise your cat profusely when he uses his scratching post. You can even reward him with a small treat when he does so.
If your still having no luck then you can always try the plastic nail clips for your cat. There are many different brands out there and they come in a variety of colors, but keep in mind these could get expensive if they keep falling off.
All of the above tips will help you condition your cat to use a scratching post. Most of all you will need persistence and patience and soon you will be able to get that new couch and you can keep your hair on your head where it belongs.
Find helpful answers to all your cat scratching questions and problems http://www.catscratchfurniture.com
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