Scratching
Many act owners complain that their cats scratch furniture and carts, chew on fabric, or house plants, It is a common misconception that cats are doing this out of maliciousness. But actually, these innate behaviors occur throughout the course of a cat's normal investigation and play. The good news is they can be managed. Cats scratch your favorite furniture or expensive drapes to satisfy certain innate needs. Scratching is a marking behavior: it allows the deposition of scent from special gland on the cat's paws. It also removes the translucent covering, or sheath over the claws.

Scratching behavior is difficult to stop because it is a programmed behavior, much like grooming or burying its waste. The trick is to teach the cat to scratch more appropriate objects like scratching posts. You have to redirect your cats scratching behavior. To find out what your cat likes bet to scratch on observe them carefully. Do they like to scratch on the floor or horizontal surfaces or vertical surfaces like furniture and drapes. Try to match the scratching post with the type of scratching behavior your cat employs, there are many types of scratching posts available at pet supply stores. A cat that likes to climb and scratch would prefer a tall post such as those that mount on doors or the wall. However, a cat that likes horizontal motion of scratching on a carpet might be more likely to use a lower carpet covered product. Some cats enjoy climbing, so a cat tree with kitty perches and scratching posts will keep your cat entertained and satisfy their need to scratch.

It is important to place the scratching post near the area where the cat originally likes to scratch. Cat's are creatures of habits and if you place the post away from their favorite spot they may not use it. As your cat becomes to accustomed to scratching on the post and not the furniture it can gradually be moved to a move to a location of your choice if you so desire.

Introduce your cat to the new scratching post with treats, strokes and praise for using it. Placing attractive toys on the post, will entice the cat to use it or catnip can be placed on the post as an added enticement. When the scratching post gets old and worn looking do replace it, that means it is working rather get another one and put it in another place. This will give your cat some variety and satisfy their insatiable curiosity for exploring.

The only guaranteed way to stop your cat from scratching a given object is to block their access to it. Closing doors or purchasing indoor fencing. Another method is to booby trap the area that they are scratching. A tower of plastic cups that topple over when your cat begins to scratch may startle the cat and interrupt the scratching pattern. Covering items with plastic, blankets, sheets or double sided tape may also discourage the scratching habit.

Because scratching has a scent marking component cats are more likely to re-scratch areas that already have their scent. Try using odor neutralizing products on these areas, to help break this cycle. Declawing should be considered when other options have failed. Declawing is a safe, humane procedure and does not have any deleterious effects on your cat. Declawed cats should not be allowed out of the house. Cats do not need to be allowed to free range, the indoor-outdoor cat myth is rapidly being debunked and will be covered in another article.

Cats do not respond to punishment for scratching. They do not associate the punishment with the behavior and will only serve to make them afraid of you. If your cat is punished while scratching it will simply learn to do it while you are not around. The above mentioned techniques work much better and are more effective, Remember, you have to learn to think like a cat.