Any owner who has cats should know all the requirements for caring for them and any actions that the pet performs. In particular, how the beloved creature happily takes care of its claws, that is, sharpens them. Moreover, during this process, some interior items and furniture act as a sharpener. It is good if the animal has a specially installed scratching post for this vital process. But often, pets neglect this, and then mostly upholstered furniture and wallpaper are used.
It is also important that cats’ claws are always sharp, which helps them defend themselves in tense situations involving the struggle for “a place in the sun.” And yet they sharpen their claws quite often.
How to train an adult cat to use a scratching post
First of all, you should remember that you cannot beat or scold a cat if it damages the furniture. To stop it, you need to use the command “No” in a stern voice, which can be secured by clapping your hands. This will make it clear to the animal that its intentions are perceived negatively.
You can also develop a consistent chain of actions for your cat. When he begins to sharpen his claws on the carpet, spray the animal with water. After a while, he will associate the water and the carpet with unpleasant memories and will begin to avoid such places. It’s good at such moments to call your pet to the scratching post and move its paws along the surface. Instinctively, the cat will extend its claws and grab onto the material. He needs to be praised and petted.
Six effective tips
Below are some helpful tips that will help you succeed in training your kitten to use a scratching post:
- Encourage your pet when he independently approaches the stand and begins to cling to it with his claws. You can praise, pet or give a treat.
- Do not grab your pet by the paws and force him to scratch the scratching post. Even if the owner does this carefully and gently, the kitten still will not understand what they want from him. He won't like it. The animal will try to escape from your hands, and the scratching post will already be associated with something unpleasant
- Try to attract your cat with mint. Do not use valerian (valerian), it, like a drug, distorts behavior and dulls the cat's instincts. Take a small amount of catnip and sprinkle (spray) the counter. This product attracts cats well, they begin to rub, purr and release their claws with pleasure.
- When playing near the counter, be attentive and consistent in your actions so that your pet clearly understands what they want from him.
- Do not play with the animal near curtains or furniture. By grabbing an object, the kitten will think that it can scratch other nearby things.
- Cover the corners of the sofa and other furniture with something rustling, such as bags or foil, while training you to use the scratching post. If a cat pulls up the carpet, it should be removed until a useful skill is finally established in the pet’s behavior.
For kittens, it is recommended to buy horizontal scratching posts in the form of boards trimmed with jute or sisal. Wooden ones are not the best option at a tender age, since the paw pads of small pets are too soft and susceptible to mechanical damage.
Training a kitten to use a scratching post
Depending on the age of the baby, the accustoming process may proceed faster or, on the contrary, slower. But more often it takes 30 days or more.
At 1.5 months
To accustom a kitten to a scratching post at this age, you will need a little patience and his favorite treat:
- First, bring the treat to the scratching post.
- Call your pet.
- Raise the treat above the kitten's head so that it rests its paws on the scratching post.
- At this moment, praise and give a treat.
- Pet.
At 2 months
At the age of 2.5 months, the kitten should be interested. For example, you can go to the scratching post and start running your fingers along it. We need to show the child that this object is interesting and can be played with. Then you need to step back and wait.
If the kitten goes to get acquainted with an incomprehensible object and repeats the owner’s actions, you need to praise him and give him a treat, thereby securing a positive result. The baby should form a positive association with the object.
At 4 months
Growing up, the pet becomes independent and already has its own habits and preferences. If he starts sharpening his claws in the wrong place, you need to scold him, but do it sternly, and not shout.
You can use decoctions of orange peels and treat the sofa, wallpaper, carpet - those places that suffer from claws.
How to treat a scratching post to attract a cat
How to accustom a cat to a new scratching post? It has been established that the more often a cat scratches the dog, leaving its scent on it, the more interesting this object is for him. To increase interest, take the bedding on which the animal sleeps and wipe the scratching post with it.
Someone else's scratching post
Another tip on how to train a cat to scratch a scratching post is to ask for an accessory from friends whose cat actively uses a scratching post. The smell will interest the pet, he will want to kill it with his own, unwittingly using it for its intended purpose.
How to train a cat to use a scratching post: pheromones
To attract your cat, you can spray the scratching post with a pheromone spray, which will enhance her personal scent and make her feel safe (Feliway anti-stress).
How to Attract a Cat to a Scratching Post: Catnip
If you are interested in how to accustom a kitten to a house and a scratching post, an interesting option is catnip. Sprinkle it on the desired accessory.
How to accustom a cat to a scratching post with valerian
A scratching post with valerian gives an effect similar to catnip. It’s easy to accustom a cat to a scratching post with valerian - drop a couple of drops at the base and on the post, do not overdo it.
Practical ways to train
You can accustom your pet to a scratching post in various ways:
- Games. The owner needs to stand next to the scratching post and start moving the mouse or pen over the surface. When the kitten starts to reach for the toy, he will scratch the scratching post, at this moment you should praise him.
- Smells. You can attract a kitten with valerian or catnip.
- Unpleasant odors. To scare away your favorite sofa or new carpet, use smells that cats don’t like – orange, lemon. To do this, you need to add citrus essential oil to the water and sprinkle it on the places where the cat sharpens its claws.
- Place. You can install it where the baby sleeps or often plays.
- Secret. You can attract attention by borrowing a scratching post from friends. The remaining scent from the other cat will cause the kitten to scratch the surface to remove the mark.
- Spray. Purchase a special product at the pet store that will help train your pet (Api-San Smart Spray).
Training does not take one day, it may take a month, and in some cases even two.
Variety of nail sharpening products
Scratching posts, sold in stores, markets or online, can be found to suit every taste and color. A wide range of products sometimes makes it difficult for owners to choose. Therefore, it is important to know how not to get lost among the variety of products. Scratching posts are designed to prevent cats from damaging furniture and carpets, and also allow you to safely sharpen your claws. Therefore, reliability and high-quality materials are the first criterion by which this device should be selected. To find a quality scratching post, use the following criteria:
- Suitable material. You can choose from carpet, pressed cardboard or twine. At the moment, there are many options for creating and choosing a scratching post;
- It is important to ensure that the material is non-toxic. Check for a chemical smell, and also inspect the column for the quality of processing of individual parts;
- The presence of surfaces of various shapes can make the process of sharpening claws more enjoyable and comfortable. A vertical scratching post is not always suitable for an animal. Then you can opt for a horizontal surface or a board that changes the angle of inclination;
- Additional functions. For an active pet, you can buy a scratching post with toys and balls;
- Extensions. There are scratching posts with houses, ladders or levels.
The shapes and options of scratching posts may be different. For example, a board is suitable for a small kitten who still finds it difficult to climb onto a vertical surface. Sharpening their claws on such a device will also be pleasant for adult cats who have already begun to tear off carpets. Cats usually like this claw device more than furniture and other surfaces. A post with a scratching post is one of the most convenient options.
You can choose the right scratching post by taking a closer look at the texture of the surface that your pet has chosen for the process. For example, if these are rigid chair legs, you can buy a device made from twine. For cats who like carpets and sofas, you can look at a carpet column.
Why does a cat need to sharpen its claws?
Of course, a cat sharpens its claws not because it wants to annoy its owner, it’s all about natural instinct, this is how it maintains its physical shape and health, in addition, in this way the animal is freed from dead cells.
It is important not to frighten your pet while he sharpens his claws, otherwise he will later begin to chew them off, which will lead to brittleness and delamination. This often causes panaritium.
A secretion is released through the pads on their paws, which is why cats mark their territory in this way.
You can watch how, after waking up, the pet pulls itself up and clings to the upholstery or carpet with its claws - this is a way to stretch its muscles. Scientists have concluded that cats sharpen their claws to get rid of stress, anger and excess energy.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a scratching post?
When choosing a scratching post, you need to consider several factors. Firstly, it must be durable. If the product is vertical, it should be tall. The cat will ignore the short sharpener.
Secondly, the sharpener should not swing or move. The stability of the product is ensured by a wide, heavy base. If the scratching post moves, the cat may get scared. In addition, such a sharpener may fall on the cat and he will no longer dare to approach it.
Your cat should like the texture of the sharpener. You should not buy an item with plastic elements or artificial winding. These materials are static and can shock your pet.
Each tailed animal should have its own sharpener. If there is only one, pets may mark it over and over again to remove the foreign scent. Because of this, it will spoil in a few weeks.
Every furry friend should have their own favorite scratching post.
Types of scratching posts
The choice of scratching post should be approached carefully, first of all, based on the character, temperament and habits of the animal.
There are 4 types of scratching posts that your pet may like:
- Column. Suitable for active animals who like to jump and climb. Positively affects the skeleton and muscle development.
- Little house. Purchased for cats that like to hide.
- Playground. For restless pets who constantly climb cabinets and curtains. Various labyrinths and stairs will release excess energy and help you cope with the main task - the claw point.
- Mounted. Use by nailing it to the wall or leaving it on the floor. The cat will be able to stretch out comfortably, scratching it with his claws.
Scratching posts are also classified according to the type of material used:
- Cardboard.
- Jgutovaya.
- Sisal.
- Wooden.
In pet stores you can find horizontal, vertical and corner products.
Choice
You should choose them based on your pet’s preferences; to do this, you should watch him and determine how he likes to sharpen his claws.
For example, if a pet does this on the floor on a carpet, then a horizontal one will suit him. In case of damage to the wallpaper - vertical, and if he prefers a new sofa - corner. It should be installed in your favorite places.
If there is a kitten in the house, then you should choose a scratching post with attachments for toys. This way the baby will approach her more often, and it will be easier to interest him in her.
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How to choose and where to place a scratching post
The choice of scratching post models is very large - it’s easy to get confused. Study your pet's habits and understand what he will like. Do you need hanging balls, different pillars for jumping, lying on top, etc. – there is a risk that the cat will not be interested in the scratching post and will simply gather dust. Decide what kind of covering is best to choose - if a cat scratches the carpet, it is easier to train him to use a carpeted scratching post.
It is important to choose the right scratching post and size – small models will not be suitable for a large cat. A universal option is a flat wall model that will not have to be changed when the pet becomes an adult. If you choose a floor-standing one, choose a height of at least 80 cm.
Choosing where to place the scratching post is important. Place it in a visible place and provide easy access so that the cat can easily approach and do its business. It is not recommended to place a scratching post next to the sofa - the animal may make a mistake. In a large apartment you can place several different devices for sharpening claws, let the cat choose.
The main thing is that the scratching post has a stable base so that a pet that gets angry cannot accidentally drop it or simply move it. This can be very frightening for small kittens, and the animal will lose interest in the purchase.
Why does a cat not like a scratching post and what to do?
How to accustom a cat to a scratching post if he doesn’t like it? Be calm and progressive: with cats, just like with people, developing new habits takes time.
You can help your family pets with praise, play, and smells. Create pleasant associations with the scratching post and unpleasant ones with the wrong place.
The smells of lavender, ginger, rosemary, and lemongrass will help in the fight against cat scratches - they are absolutely not liked by mustachioed cats. They can be used to treat scratched surfaces so that a purchased scratching post remains the only convenient option.
Always, regardless of whether you are busy or not, praise your pet in a gentle voice in a sing-song voice, stroke behind the ear, give a treat as soon as she has sharpened her claws correctly.
For “hardcore evaders” from scratching posts, use the heavy artillery: catnip and valerian solution. Treat the surface of the scratching post with them or try to place a tasty morsel at the top - let the kitty try to get to it by clinging with her claws and climbing up.
Training a cat to use a scratching post is not a war that must be won at any cost, but a valuable skill that will be developed sooner or later. Play together with a feather or your favorite toy next to the accessory, place the cat's paw on the scratching post, and show how the device works using the example of another cat.
The older and taller the cat becomes, the faster it “grows out” of the old scratching post. Update the accessory in a timely manner - then there will be no sudden failures and vandalism of the furniture.
Useful video
Video instructions on how to accustom a kitten and an adult cat to a scratching post:
Patience, persistence and regular repetition will help train even the most stubborn pets. There is such a procedure in the world as removal of nail phalanges. However, in many countries it is equated with mutilation and is opposed to these actions, and we are of the same opinion.
If you can’t get your cat accustomed to a scratching post, then you can think about using silicone anti-scratch pads or trim your pet’s claws more often, and our article on proper claw trimming will help you with this.
Everyone is responsible for those they have tamed, therefore, when taking a new animal into your home, it is important to understand all the responsibility and natural needs of pets. Accustoming to a scratching post is a complex process that requires a lot of time, but this is the only option when, as they say, both the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe. Leave comments on the article about what methods you know of training a cat to use a scratching post.
What measures should not be used when training a cat?
The main thing in training is an affectionate attitude towards your friend.
In order for the cat to use the scratching post for its intended purpose, you must first of all be patient and not be too persistent in training. Don't demand instant results from your animal. Your pet needs time to get used to the accessory. Excessive pressure on the animal will only slow down the training.
You should not splash water on your cat while he is scratching things with his claws. The pet will be scared and afraid to do this trick again. The tailed animal will experience stress and may even become more aggressive, so this method can hardly be considered humane.
Don't yell at the animal. Do not grab the cat by the paws or tail or force it to scratch the product. She can link owners' aggression directly to the scratching post. Then the pet will be afraid of the claw hammer. In this case, it is necessary to start training again. The scratching post will have to be replaced with a new one, which is not associated with negative memories of the animal.
It is worth approaching responsibly when training a cat to use a scratching post. The pet friend does not understand human language and often scratches things without malicious intent. Therefore, you need to be affectionate towards your pet. In addition to accustoming the animal to the accessory, do not forget to constantly care for its claws and trim them in a timely manner.
Cat and scratching post. Needs and education of a pet
The appearance of a cat in the house is associated with concerns, among which one of the main ones is to protect the furniture from the claws of the animal. The operation to remove horny formations is complex.
The natural instinct to sharpen claws cannot be eliminated for a number of reasons. The solution is to accustom the cat to a certain device. This structure may well become a piece of decor and save the interior from traces of domestic purr.
How to stop claw sharpening
So, sharpening claws is a necessity for an animal, but a real headache for its owner. There are several ways to save furniture, wallpaper, clothes, magazines and newspapers, curtains, drapes and other items:
- Regularly (1-2 times a month) trim the animal's claws with nail clippers
. It is advisable to carry out this procedure for pets from an early age (from 1-1.5 months). During the cutting process, it is necessary to cut off the curved transparent tip of the nail without affecting the red pulp with nerve endings and blood vessels. You can do a haircut both at home and in a veterinary clinic (where it will cost 100-200 rubles). After a haircut, the pet will be able to scratch, but the damage to furniture (carpets, wallpaper, etc.) will be insignificant. And a pet with trimmed claws will not seriously bite the owner; - In the clinic or at home, special silicone anti-scratch attachments are often put on the animal’s
. Packaging of such anti-scratch pads costs on average from 200 to 500 rubles (the kit includes glue for fixation). Their service life is from 1 to 3 months, depending on the level of activity of the animal. With such soft anti-scratch pads, the cat will be able to sharpen its claws, but without leaving scratches anywhere. The only disadvantage of the attachments is that they need to be glued to each claw, but it is rare that a cat will sit quietly on the owner’s lap during such a procedure; - The problem of scratching can be permanently solved by cutting off the terminal phalanges of the fingers - onychectomy
(popularly this manipulation is called “soft paws”). The operation is performed under general anesthesia; its cost in clinics varies between 2000-5000 rubles. Whether to perform an onychectomy or not should be decided by the cat owner himself. Let us only note that this is quite dangerous and traumatic for the animal itself. Not only will the pet lose the ability to defend itself with its claws in case of danger, but it will also have to learn to walk fully again, given that its already short fingers will become even shorter.
Well, to be honest, trimming claws, gluing silicone anti-scratch guards, and especially onychectomy are not pleasant procedures for both the cat and its owner.
How to stop a cat from sharpening its claws in more humane ways
Fortunately, there is a way out - this is to buy a scratching post designed for grinding down claws. The scratching post is suitable for both adults and small pets, but teaching a kitten to sharpen its claws on it is much easier.
The most popular and relatively inexpensive (from 400 rubles) scratching post model is a vertical wooden column wrapped in jute or sisal fibers. Scratching posts in the form of houses and play complexes look more expensive and fancier. By the way, if the owner has a little free time and a desire to please his pet, then you can even build a scratching post yourself, having on hand a wooden block and several rolls of twine, a sheet of felt or carpet.
