How to wean a cat to sharpen its claws on furniture and carpets. How to accustom a kitten or an adult cat to a scratching post Ordinary tape will help

Sharpening the claws is one of the natural gestures of the cat, and she does not understand the effort being made to punish her for it. Any punishment will only cause stress to your cat, which will only increase the frequency of claws on furniture. Before resorting to any action, it is important to understand the nature of the cat.

The following are ways to stop scratching in inappropriate places.

1. Find a suitable place for your cat where she can sharpen her claws. Buy a special post, a house for a kitten, a scratching post. Pet stores offer various types of poles that a cat can sharpen its claws on. Find a post, or cat house, that has an area covered with sisal or jute rope. It is a very hard surface, very suitable for scratching. Another option is a post, with a comfortable pad on which the cat can nap.

Every cat should have a scratching post!

2. Catnip will also help. When you bring home a new post that the cat can sharpen its claws on, it will certainly interest the cat, but it may not start using it. You can encourage her to do this by rubbing mint or sprinkling the base of a column of mint tincture in water. When you see that the cat is sharpening its claws on this column, praise it, stroke it.

3. Cover the area where the cat liked to sharpen its claws - for example, the side back of the sofa - with aluminum foil or double-sided tape. Cats don't like having their paws sticky and are bothered by the sound of aluminum foil. Place the scratching post in front of (blocking it) where the cat used to sharpen its claws. Cats do not like change, so do not rearrange the column from place to place. Once this bar becomes your cat's favorite place to sharpen its claws, you can move it a few inches daily, gradually moving it to a place that suits you.

4. Rub orange peel on the area where the cat scratches the furniture. Citrus scents are unpleasant for the cat and will keep them away. There are also several cat repellants on the market that you can also resort to.

5. Use a spray bottle filled with water to train your cat. Cats are easy to train. But never hit a cat. This is not only cruel in itself, but also useless, since the cat will not understand the message that you are trying to convey to her. You will simply become a source of stress and fear for her. The more stress a cat feels, the more she needs to sharpen her claws. If you notice that the cat is scratching in the wrong place, sprinkle water on it (only not on the head, and not in the eyes) from the sprinkler. Next time, all you need to do is show your cat a spray bottle to stop her scratching the furniture.

Cats by nature are fans of honing their claws on various surfaces. Most new owners grab their heads when they once again watch their pet scratching a new sofa or wallpaper. In such situations, it becomes necessary to accustom the pet to the equipment specially designated for this purpose - the scratching post. The device is made for wayward and characteristic animals who do not recognize other methods of carrot and stick.

Why do cats scratch furniture and wallpaper

The underlying cause of wayward behavior is the struggle for territory. Sweat glands are located on the paw pads, which leave the characteristic smell of the animal on the furniture.
Cats love their owners, they are devoted and loyal. The animal is trying with all its might to show that you are “your” comrade. This is how pets express emotions.
In most cases, cats sharpen their claws for physiological reasons. Their pads begin to itch, burrs appear on the claws, and the muscles of the paws weaken. The animal on a subconscious level keeps itself “in good shape”.

It is important to understand that natural necessity is difficult to fight, so it makes no sense to use only a whip. Perhaps your pet is resourceful enough, you just need to push it a little in the right direction.

Citrus fruit. Cats do not tolerate the smell of citrus, use this feature for your own purposes. Purchase an oil-free body spray with a lemon (grapefruit, orange) scent at a beauty store. Spray all your favorite surfaces that your cat wants to scratch. You can also sew cotton bags and then place the dried zest in them. In addition to citrus fruits, obstinate animals can be weaned from bad habits with the help of spices. It is enough to pour ground chili, coriander, suneli hops or other strong-smelling seasonings into the bag, and then hang the bags near the crime zone.
Spray bottle with water. It's no secret that cats don't like to bathe, so take advantage of this. Draw water into a container with a dispenser, each time spray the composition on the pet's face as soon as he is about to sharpen his claws. It is important to understand that the punishment must follow before the atrocity, or within 5 seconds after it. Otherwise, the cat will not understand why she is being punished and will continue to scratch interior items.
Beanbag. An excellent way to educate a pet from addictions is considered to be objects that cause a ringing noise. Purchase a rattle from a children's store or build one yourself. Place a few coins in a tin, seal it, and keep it close to you. When the cat once again is going to play dirty tricks, take the jar in your hand and start rattling it strongly. The pet will immediately run out of the room, because cats do not like such loud sounds. Perform simple manipulations every time so that the animal learns the rules of the owner.
Voice command. Rattle-like method. Cats are very trainable if done right. Control intonation, as soon as the animal is about to sharpen its claws on forbidden surfaces, shout loudly and, if possible, loudly, “No!”, “Shhh!”, “Shoot!”. Repeat this until the animal retreats from the intended targets.
Balloon. The most effective way to raise a cat, however, is the most uncomfortable from the owner's point of view. Inflate some balloons, tie them tightly, and stick them near the crime scene. It is necessary to make a trap in such a way that the cat bursts the ball during the next manicure session. The sound of the explosion will scare away the pet, as a result of which he will be afraid to sharpen his claws on the sofa next time.

Important!
You can not scold the animal 10/15/30 minutes after committing a bad deed. Do everything on time, you need to make an association between the punishment and the point of the claws in the wrong place. Otherwise, the cat will not understand why it is being scolded, and will continue to satisfy its needs.

The most effective way of all of the above, the scratching post helps to wean the cat from scratching wallpaper and furniture without harming the pet's psyche. The device is available in various variations regarding the material used and possible sizes. Cover for scratching posts: sisal, wood, upholstery fabric, cardboard, carpet fiber, synthetic threads.

As for the shape, scratching posts are vertical (standing), horizontal (in the form of a carpet) and inclined at a certain angle. It is impossible to say exactly what kind of species your pet will like. It is necessary to proceed from the financial possibilities and the premises in which the equipment will be installed.

After you figure out what your pet is more inclined towards, get 2-3 scratching posts and install them in your favorite corners. The main condition for the installation is reliable fastenings, the equipment should not fall, otherwise the cat will be frightened and will not approach it anymore. As practice shows, cats tear up wallpaper and high furniture, because they like to stretch out to their full height.

Important Points

Most cats sharpen their claws after they wake up, so it is recommended to install the equipment next to the bed / house.
To attract the animal to the scratching post, sprinkle the stand with catnip or other means of provoking interest. Also place hanging toys with feathers on the racks.
The first time after installing the device, watch the cat. As soon as she sharpens her claws in the right place, give a treat. Over time, the animal will understand that every effort is rewarded.
When you once again catch a cat in a hot mess for damaging interior items or wallpaper, gently pick it up and transfer it to the scratching post. Do not physically punish the animal, otherwise the pet will start to be afraid of you.
Purchase a cat nail clipper from the pet store, use it for its intended purpose according to the instructions. Press the pad, after the nail comes out, cut off the light part. Do not touch the blood vessel, otherwise the animal will no longer let you near its paws.
It is not uncommon for cats to continue to spoil wallpaper and furniture in the presence of scratching posts. There is only one way out in this situation - to slightly scare the animal. When you catch your pet in a destructive activity, clap your hands or spray it with water from a spray bottle.
After you have purchased a scratching post, you need to cover with a cloth all objects that are usually treated with sharp claws. If possible, turn the furniture to the wall, blocking access. Place double-sided tape, rustling foil, or sandpaper near the crime scene.

Do not punish the cat with physical labor, do not try to force the animal to scratch the scratching post. Use citrus-based cosmetics, spray your pet with water, be patient.

Video: how to wean a cat to sharpen its claws on furniture

The following are ways to stop scratching in inappropriate places.

1. Pick up your cat suitable place for her where she can sharpen her claws. Buy a special post, a house for a kitten, a scratching post. Pet stores offer various types of poles that a cat can sharpen its claws on. Find a post, or cat house, that has an area covered with sisal or jute rope. It is a very hard surface, very suitable for scratching. Another option is a post, with a comfortable pad on which the cat can nap.

Every cat should have a scratching post!

3. Close the place where the cat liked to sharpen its claws- for example, the back of a sofa - with aluminum foil or double-sided adhesive tape. Cats don't like having their paws sticky and are bothered by the sound of aluminum foil. Place the scratching post in front of (blocking it) where the cat used to sharpen its claws. Cats do not like change, so do not rearrange the column from place to place. When this post becomes your cat's favorite place to sharpen its claws, you can move it a few inches daily, gradually moving to a place suitable for you.

4. Grate with orange peels a place where a cat scratches furniture. Citrus scents are unpleasant for the cat and will keep them away. There are also several cat repellants on the market that you can also resort to.

Under natural conditions, the claws of all cats wear down themselves in the process of climbing trees, hunting, etc. At home, of course, this does not happen. That is why, the cat needs to somehow shorten its growing claws, which it does by peeling wallpaper and furniture. If the claws are not shortened, they break, causing discomfort and even pain to the animal. In addition, grinding down the claws, the cat marks the surface with its smell. On her paws are special glands that secrete an odorous secret. Where one cat has sharpened its claws, another cat will definitely sharpen it - now it just needs to “block” someone else’s smell with “relatives”, thus declaring its rights to the territory. And, finally, the process of sharpening the claws for a cat is also gymnastics (the cat stretches, bends its back).

How to wean a cat to sharpen its claws on wallpaper and furniture

If your cat has begun to spoil wallpaper and furniture with its claws, you must, firstly, offer it an alternative. Pet stores offer a wide range of scratching posts - vertical, horizontal, angular, carpeted, sisal ... Your cat will definitely like one of them. By the way, you can make a scratching post yourself, for example, by covering a wooden block with a cloth. Cats usually like high “column” type scratching posts, because by sharpening their claws on them, you can stretch and bend properly.

Now you need to wean the animal to sharpen its claws where it should not. To do this, the surface where the cat likes to sharpen them must be made unattractive by pasting over with some material that is unpleasant for her, for example, foil. To get rid of the “marks” that the cat left in these places, regularly sharpening its claws there, you can rub them with citrus peel, sprinkle with lemon juice, or treat with a special tool from the pet store.

For damaged furniture or post-factum wallpaper, it does not make sense. She simply will not understand the reason for your anger. But if you find the animal grinding its claws on the sofa, scare it away with a sharp sound. You can also take the cat in your arms, take it to the scratching post and show it what to do with it. With use, the scratching post will become more and more attractive to the cat, because odorous cat "marks" will remain on it.

Some owners solve the problem with furniture and wallpaper radically - they cut the claws of the animal (on their own or at the veterinarian). This option also has the right to exist, although it is worth considering that a cat with clipped claws will no longer be able, for example, to climb up the wall carpet. Moreover, you know about it, but the cat is not yet aware, therefore, performing some familiar action, it may fall or hit.

If you still decide to cut your cat's nails, remember that it is better to “not cut” them than to cut them too short, because damage to the pulp is fraught with severe bleeding and inflammation. If the claw is not pigmented, it is clearly visible. Do you see that the pulp reaches almost to the end? This means that the claw is of normal length, and it is not necessary to cut it. Trim the nails so that they are slightly longer than usual. If the nails are pigmented and nothing is visible, trim them as carefully as possible, but it is better to contact your veterinarian with this. Cut nails across, not obliquely. If the cat has broken a claw and it is hanging on a string, carefully cut it off. If blood flows at the same time, try to stop it with a hemostatic pencil, or by pressing a piece of gauze sprinkled with talc or streptocide to the broken site. But if you can’t stop the bleeding on your own, take the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible.