Teaching Your Kitten to Use a Scratching Post |
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Scratching rough surfaces is a normal cat behavior that has several important functions. Scratching provides an opportunity for
your cat to stretch after resting, to mark her territory, and removes the outer dead layer of her claws, exposing the fresh,
sharp claw underneath. House cats often choose to use the sides of couches and chairs as scratching posts because these pieces
of furniture are typically covered with upholstery fabric that is attractive for catching claws and depositing scent. Also,
because cats usually claw mark near favorite resting areas, the couch is a likely marking spot if your cat sleeps on or around
this piece of furniture. Regardless of these “natural” aspects of furniture clawing, many cat caretakers wish to protect their
furniture and direct their cat’s scratching to an appropriate scratching post.
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Helpful Tip! |
| Selecting a Scratching Post
for Your Kitten |
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Scratching posts for cats should be sturdy and high enough for the cat to stretch out when reaching upward and forward to
scratch (~ 24 to 28 inches for most cats). The post should be covered with heavy, rough fabric such as burlap or sisal
and placed near your kitten’s favorite sleeping area. Bear in mind that your idea of desirable and your kitten’s ideas
may not coincide. Cats like rough surfaces that they can shred and pull apart. So, the scratching post with the most
aesthetic appeal to your cat may be a large piece of wood with bark attached or thick corrugated cardboard! Pay attention
to the types of surfaces your cat selects to scratch around your home and purchase a post with a similar type of fabric
or surface. |
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Here are some tips for teaching your kitten to use his scratching post:
- Place the post in an area that your kitten sleeps and spends most of his time. If he has already started to use
furniture, place the post directly in front of the areas that he is using. (You may need more than one post to cover
his favorite spots). Wrap any additional previously scratched areas of furniture with tin foil or two-sided sticky
tape to prevent your cat from continuing to use the furniture while he is being taught to use the scratching post.
- If your kitten is not initially attracted to the new post, attach a favorite toy to the post. This can encourage
him to play near the post and to bat at the toy with his feet. Keep some tasty food treats in your pocket, and each
time that you see your kitten investigate or use the post, toss him a treat.
- When your kitten begins to use the post consistently, you can gradually move it to an area that is more acceptable.
Although the post’s fabric will become worn as your cat uses it, do not replace it because your cat’s scent and visual
cues encourage him continue to use the post for scratching.
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Helpful Tip! |
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What NOT To Do When Teaching Your Kitten To Use a Scratching Post |
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Although it may seem reasonable from a human point of view, taking your kitten over to the scratching post and placing her
paws on the post or raking her paws down the post will NOT help her to learn to use a scratching post.
For most cats, being forced to place their paws onto a surface is very unpleasant and can be frightening. So, from
the feline point of view, showing your cat how to use her scratching post can have the opposite intended effect,
and may make her avoid or fear the post altogether! |
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Teaching Your Kitten to Play Gently
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