How to Train and Get Your Cat to Use a Scratching Post—Tips to Try · Kinship Leave a comment

As all cat dad and mom know, cats and younger kittens have very sharp, lengthy, retractable claws that may gouge fairly deep scratches in furnishings, flooring, and pores and skin if left unchecked. Nonetheless, you possibly can cease your cat from scratching all the pieces in sight by using a scratching publish. 

Whereas many cats will use scratching posts mechanically, others might have coaching or convincing to go to 1. With our information and the assistance of our skilled, cat habits guide Joey Lusvardi, you possibly can select the correct scratching publish and persuade your cat to make use of it frequently.

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Major takeaways

• Scratching posts might help forestall cats from destroying your furnishings.

• Cats take pleasure in utilizing scratching posts for stress aid and claw upkeep.

• By selecting the correct publish and place, your cat will probably use the scratching publish instinctively.

Why is a scratching publish good on your cat?

You is perhaps questioning why your cat ought to use a scratching publish or in the event that they even must in any respect. Really, utilizing a scratching publish is nice on your cat or kitten. Lusvardi says that “scratching is a standard cat habits and a behavioral want of cats. Scratching posts present an outlet for this habits in order that the habits doesn’t occur someplace you don’t need.” 

Listed here are another the reason why a Scratching Publish is nice on your cat:

1. Pure habits

Scratching is a pure habits for cats as a result of their claws are completely totally different from human nails. First off, cat claws come out of the entrance of their toes and are retractable and very sharp. These claws are used within the wild to catch and kill their prey, so cats scratch at dwelling as a result of it’s a pure intuition. Scratching additionally helps cats mark their territory, stretch, and hold their claws shorter. Cats will are likely to scratch instinctively, however you most likely don’t need them to do it in your furnishings. 

2. Stress aid

Scratching furnishings can be a type of stress aid for cats. Cats can get confused and anxious, and they’re going to hunt down strategies of relieving their stress. Scratching helps them relieve stress, partly as a result of it feels good and partly as a result of marking their territory helps them really feel extra relaxed. 

3. Communication instrument

Cats additionally scratch to speak to others, particularly cats, about the place their territory is. This works via the visible scratch marks on the objects and smells that come from the glands within the cat’s paws. By scratching on a publish, your cat is forsaking a reminder to different cats that that is their territory, even when there aren’t any different cats in the home. That is additionally why you shouldn’t ever cover the scratching publish — it’s higher to depart it able within the dwelling the place your cat’s message will be heard.

4. Claw upkeep

Some of the utilitarian the reason why your cat likes to scratch is as a type of claw upkeep. Claws aren’t like human nails, they usually develop outwards just like the rings of a tree. The brand new claw is within the middle, and the nail across the edge will get thicker and dies. In case your cat scratches correctly, they may work this useless sheath off to show the great new claw beneath. The scratching publish is one of the simplest ways to make this occur. 

The best way to practice and get your cat to make use of a scratching publish

If you wish to get your cat to make use of a scratching publish as an alternative of your furnishings and garments, it’s vital to coach them and make the correct selections. Lusvardi says that you must “concentrate on encouraging your cat to make use of a scratching publish and never on stopping them from scratching your furnishings.” You are able to do this within the following methods:

1. Decide the correct place

Some of the vital issues when attempting to coach your cat to make use of a scratching publish is placement. After getting chosen the correct scratching publish on your cat, that you must select the place to place it.

It’s vital to place a scratching publish in a spot that’s proper on your cat, not only for you. It must be someplace seen and straightforward to entry. The scratching publish must be a alternative for something that your cat already likes to scratch. For instance, in the event that they like to scratch a part of the carpet, that could possibly be a great spot. If they have a tendency to scratch the furnishings, you possibly can put the publish in entrance of the sofa. 

Finally, as soon as your cat loves the publish, you possibly can attempt transferring it someplace that’s extra handy for you. You may additionally contemplate a number of posts.

2. Get their consideration

As soon as the publish is ready up in the correct place, that you must get your cat curious about it. You’ll be able to attempt to attract their consideration to the scratching publish in a lot of methods, reminiscent of by putting it in several spots, placing it close to their meals, laying it on its aspect, and drawing their eyeline to it. Nonetheless, you must by no means put their paws straight onto the scratching publish. There are many different methods to try to get their consideration.

3. Use constructive reinforcement

When coaching a cat to make use of the scratching publish (or do something), use solely constructive reinforcement, reminiscent of variety phrases and treats, to inform them that they’re being good and that utilizing the scratching publish is the correct factor to do.

4. Make your furnishings unappealing

Your cat scratches your furnishings as a result of it feels good to them and since they’re used to doing it. Whereas providing them a scratching publish will assist, you additionally must distract them from scratching your furnishings. You’ll be able to spray repellent onto the furnishings, which can make it much less enticing to scratch, and you may also attempt placing blankets in your furnishings that shall be much less enjoyable to scratch than the feel of your sofa.

5. Present choices

In case your cat isn’t taking to the scratching publish instantly, you possibly can attempt providing them totally different choices. Perhaps they’ll get alongside higher with a scratching mat on the ground, a tall publish in the midst of the room, or a shorter publish positioned close to the furnishings. It is advisable attempt totally different choices to see which one they like probably the most.

6. Tempt them with treats

If you happen to’re attempting to persuade your cat to make use of the scratching publish, you possibly can attempt tempting them with treats. You’ll be able to put catnip onto the publish itself or wave treats close to the publish to get them to place their paws on the publish and scratch it on their very own phrases. In case your cat may be very food-motivated, this could possibly be the best choice.

7. Practice them to make use of it with toys

If you happen to’re attempting to get your cat to make use of the scratching publish extra frequently and they’re very playful and toy-motivated, you possibly can attempt utilizing toys to get them to scratch. By waving a wand toy across the scratching publish, you possibly can persuade your cat to mess around and take discover of the scratching publish. They could then additionally simply begin scratching of their very own accord as a part of the sport. 

FAQs

Why will not my cat use a scratching publish?

In case your cat received’t use their scratching publish, don’t fear – there are various potential causes for his or her disinterest. The scratching publish could possibly be within the unsuitable place, it is perhaps too brief, or they might simply not be as into scratching as you anticipated them to be. Lusvardi says that the 1st step is trying on the publish itself: “Is it sufficiently big, or is it a fabric your cat likes to scratch? Lots of my damaging scratching instances are merely somebody shopping for a product that’s marketed towards people and never one thing cats like utilizing.”

What can I spray to get my cat to make use of a scratching publish?

If you wish to practice your cat to make use of a scratching publish, you need to use a scratch repellent or anti-scratch spray on the opposite furnishings that you just don’t need them to scratch, making the scratching publish the extra enticing choice.

Do it’s a must to practice a cat to make use of a scratching publish?

Not all cats should be educated to make use of a scratching publish as a result of their intuition is to scratch and keep their claws. Nonetheless, they might want some convincing or constructive reinforcement to decide on it over your furnishings.