Scratching Issues
- Equip your home with good scratching post. The post should be at least 30" tall, wrapped with sisal rope, and mounted on a sturdy, untippable base. Be advised, carpeting is not an appealing scratching surface for cats. Carpeting is too soft to properly condition a cats nails.
- Place the scratching post in a room where the cat spends a lot of time. Where the cat sleeps is a good choice, as cats like to stretch and scratch when they wake up. Another good place is the piece of furniture which was the previous scratching target.
- Cats also scratch to mark territory. Any objects near doors may become targets for scratching. In this event, try rearranging the furniture, or try putting a scratching post near that area.
- Cats will sometimes learn by copying you. Try scratching your own nails on the rope in front of them. For older cats (not kittens), try rubbing some catnip onto the scratching post.
- Praise your cat whenever he/she uses the post, and occasionally reward your cat with a food treat.
- Furniture which has previously been your cats scratching target, should be temporarily cover with double sided carpet tape or contact.
- Kittens do more climbing than scratching. They can be encouraged to climb the scratching post by placing favorite toys or food treats at the top of the post.
Phone: (262) 473-4769 Fax: (262) 473-0779 Email: tbapcats@sbcglobal.net