How to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post: Helpful Tips?
How to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post: Helpful Tips
If you happen to be a cat owner, then you'd notice that your precious pet loves scratching stuff. abundant to your horror, cats like to scratch the furniture! this would seem to be an enormous downside, however, it is simply resolved. The key's to find out the way to train a cat to use a scratching post. There are some ways for you to subsume this downside.
First of all, it's necessary to know why cats scratch their paws. Cats unfold their scent by scratching their paws which implies they're marking their territory.
It helps them to feel secure and to spot their dominion. Shedding claws is one more reason for scratching. Scratching additionally helps them stretch their muscles. See that there are several benefits to cats scratching their paws except that it wreaks disturbance on your piece of furniture.
On the opposite hand, you'll trim your cat's nails to assist them to ease the scratching. This methodology isn't suggested as they lose their process. thus we have a tendency to compiled some tips and tricks to follow to help in your perplexity.
Useful recommendations on the way to Train a Cat to Use a Scratching Post
Now that you just apprehend the common reasons why cats are scratching their paws, will|we will|we are able to} advance to some helpful things that you just can do to assist them to learn to use a scratching post rather than your piece of furniture.
Start early
If you have got your pets as kittens, then you'll begin coaching them whereas they're young. This way, the action is constituted in them. However, if you have already got AN adult cat, they will still be trained however would possibly want additional persistence and perseverance.
Find a scratching post that your cat can love
Sometimes, it's all regarding finding the correct reasonably scratching post that may harm to your cat. you'll realize the correct post for your cat typically through trial and error. you'll get to experiment and see that one works. as an example, some would like a vertical post as against a level. The necessary issue is to be able to realize the correct one that may harm to your cat's preferences.
Determine the simplest place to place your scratching post
Other times, it's not the standard of the scratching post that's necessary however the situation. ought to|you ought to|you must} detain mind that you just should place your post wherever it'll be accessible to your cat.
One professional tip: cats typically do their scratching before they take a nap. the perfect place to place your scratching post is wherever your cat typically naps. If you have got the capability, it's additionally nice to place many posts in numerous components of the house. Place it on your pet's usual spots, and it'll for sure get to maximize its use.
Now, if you happen to possess a chunk of the piece of furniture that your cat is extremely abundant hooked up to, then you'll attempt inserting a scratching post close to it. this can be a wonderful thanks to diverting its attention and focus the scratching on the post and not on your piece of furniture.
Use Rewards and Affirmations
As with all nice coaching, you'll use rewards and affirmations to your pet. This merely means whenever your pet uses the scratch post, it'll get a gift. On the opposite hand, if they still play along with your beloved piece of furniture, then you wish to be firm and let your pet apprehend that's wrong.
To additional lure your cat to use the scratching post, {you can|you'll|you'll be able to} place an herbaceous plant on and around the post or suspend a toy for them to be able to play with. Eventually, they'll get the suspend of it and begin mistreatment the post frequently.
Do not tolerate
If your cat is persistent, then it's time to use your voice to let your pet apprehend its actions are incorrect. after you hear your cat scratching the piece of furniture, say stop in a very loud voice. Your pet is surprised and over time can perceive that what it's doing is inappropriate. you'll additionally spritz some water on your cat whenever it starts scratching the long run. These are just a few ways in which to counsel your pet.
Other Remedies
Now, if the ideas mentioned higher than don't work on all, then you'll go a unique route. One issue that you just might do is to create your piece of furniture unappealing to your pet. you'll do that by covering your cat's favorite piece of furniture with foil or tape. Cats don't like these textures and might counsel them from additional scratching. it's going to seem to be hideous explore for your piece of furniture, however, it's solely temporary. you'll take away them once your cat already loses its interest.
When all else fail, you'll attempt dynamical your piece of furniture. think about the piece of furniture that's made up of microfiber. It will tolerate scratching, however at the identical time, there also are totally different styles offered that may fit your home.