Cat Scratchboard

Cat scratchboard teaching your cat to use a scratching post is crucial for preventing furniture damage. To start, selecting the right scratching post is essential. Cats naturally gravitate towards certain types of posts, so choosing one they like will make the training process smoother. Here are some tips to help train your cat to use a scratching post and keep your furniture safe from scratches.

Before Training, Find the Best Place to Put Your Cat Scratching Posts

To ensure your cat uses her new scratching posts, it’s crucial to place them in the right areas of your home. The ideal placement is based on understanding typical cat scratching behaviors. While we might prefer to tuck scratching posts into corners or out-of-the-way spots, these locations often aren’t appealing to our feline friends. By considering their perspective, we can see why placement matters so much cat scratchboard.

There are a few ingrained reasons for cat scratching behavior:

• When deciding where to place your cat’s scratching post, consider that cats scratch to communicate their territory to other cats. The visible scratch marks and scents from glands in their paws send clear messages. With this in mind, it’s evident that a corner or hidden area isn’t suitable for such important signals. Instead, your cat will prefer a tall, sturdy scratching post in a prominent area of your home, like high-traffic and visible spots. This satisfies their natural urge to mark territory. Don’t worry—once your cat reliably uses the post, you can gradually move it to a location that better suits your home décor.
• Cats also scratch to stretch their muscles, particularly in their shoulders, toes, and feet. They often do this right after waking up, making the area around their favorite sleeping spots an ideal location for scratching posts. Placing posts near these areas caters to their natural stretching routine and encourages their use.
• If your cat frequently scratches a particular area of the carpet, placing a scratching post or pad there can be effective. Since she already prefers that spot, it will help her understand that the scratching post or pad is the intended target instead of the carpet. This way, you can redirect her natural behavior to a more appropriate place.
• If your cat is scratching the arms of your couch or other furniture, you can deter her by placing a heavy blanket securely around the area so she can’t get underneath it. Then, position her scratching post directly in front of the spot she was previously scratching. Once she consistently uses the post for a week or two, you can gradually move it to your preferred location, an inch or so each day.

A final tip for placing cat scratching posts: Providing multiple scratching posts in different areas of your home increases the chances that your furniture and carpeting will remain unscathed. If your cat is already scratching an inappropriate object or place, take note of the details—are the scratch marks high or low, on a vertical or horizontal surface, in a corner or under a bed? This information can guide you in selecting the type and placement of scratching posts and pads. Cats enjoy scratching vertical, horizontal, and angled surfaces and sometimes prefer special spots like under the bed or in the closet.

Drumming up Interest in the Scratching Post

If your feline friend doesn’t take to her fresh scratching post right away or only shows mild interest, don’t fret. Sometimes, cats need a bit more encouragement to realize that you’ve given them the ultimate scratching spot. Here are some tips to introduce your cat to her new scratching post and help her get accustomed to using it.

Catnip: While some young kittens and certain cats may not be drawn to catnip, many felines absolutely love it. If your cat falls into the latter category, sprinkle some loose catnip on both the base and top of the scratching post. When your cat licks it and starts kneading her paws, she’ll realize it’s a fantastic scratching surface. This can encourage her to use it more often in the future cat scratchboard.

Play: To show your cat that her new scratching post is fantastic, play with her around and on it. Use a wand toy to encourage her to reach and place her paws on the post while reaching for the toy. Another trick is to place her favorite toy on top of the post to entice her to climb up and get it. Soon enough, she’ll discover how enjoyable it is to scratch on the post.

Try laying the scratching post on its side: If you’re introducing a scratching post to a cat that’s never used one before, try starting with the post laid on its side. Use catnip and play with wand toys around and on the post to encourage interest. After a few days of your cat using it reliably in this position, you can then stand it upright to offer even more enjoyment.

The more cats you have, the more scratching posts you’ll need: Encourage your cats to engage in play together around and near the scratching posts by tossing small toys and balls in their vicinity.

Treats: Some cats adore treats, so keep a few handy while introducing the scratching post. Start by offering a treat when your cat sniffs or explores the post. As she gets more comfortable, reward her with a treat when she places her paws on it, progressing to when she starts scratching. Placing treats on top of the post can also encourage her to climb up and retrieve them. Using treats can make the scratching post a positive experience for your cat.

Alongside your efforts to boost your cat’s interest in her scratching posts, consider using Feliway, a spray that mimics feline facial pheromones and can be applied a few times daily to any household object your cat is scratching. By combining these approaches, your cat will learn not only to use the scratching post but also to avoid furniture cat scratchboard.

One thing that usually does NOT work when trying to introduce a cat to a new scratching post is to grab her paws and place them on the post.

Cats are known for their independence and prefer things to be on their terms. Handling their paws is generally frowned upon by most cats and can lead to them avoiding the scratching post. However, young kittens might be an exception and can learn how to use a scratching post in this way, especially if there isn’t an older cat to demonstrate. Playing, as mentioned earlier, is also highly effective with kittens.

Negative Training Methods Usually Backfire

Negative training methods in cat training aim to discourage unwanted behaviors by associating them with unpleasant consequences. These can include spraying water, loud noises, or even mousetraps, but such techniques often fail with cats and can cause stress or injury. Cats may respond with more undesirable behaviors like urinating outside the litterbox or increased scratching. It’s best to focus on positive reinforcement, like encouraging your cat to use her scratching post, rather than using negative tactics cat scratchboard.

FINAL WORDS

If you’ve tried all the steps mentioned earlier to train your cat to use her new scratching post without success, consider relocating it before giving up. Placing it in a sunny spot near a window can be a good idea—cats often enjoy watching birds or wildlife, which can lead to them using the scratching post out of excitement.