What You Should Know
Scratching is a natural behavior for all cats, wild and domestic.
- You cannot stop your cat from scratching, however you can direct their natural instinct to scratch.
You cannot punish your cat for Scratching, cats do not really understand punishment. Cats will also hold a grudge, and have excellent memories.
It is important to understand why cats scratch
Cats Scratch to Mark their Territory
- Both domestic and wild Cats scratch to mark their territory. It tells other cats that this is their property. Cats are territorial and scratching is a natural instinct. The scratching leaves territorial marks and scents from your cats paws. It is also important to understand that for your cat to properly establish their territory the scratching must be in the open and visible. Remember it is a natural instinct.
Scratching is good Exercise
- Scratching is a good form of exercise and stretching. When your cat scratches they exercise their muscles and stretch their tendons, and work their joints.
Scratching is Fun
- Just as we like to stretch, jump, hop, run, and play, so does your cat like to play. For cats scratching is fun, just watch, they enjoy it.
Guide your Cat to appropriate Scratching, a Scratching Post
Remember it is a natural instinct.
- Cats like to scratch items that are tall, where they can extend their bodies, legs and paws. They like scratching posts that are large and stable. Not scratching posts that are small and fall over when scratched, so match your cats size to the size of the scratching post. We have chosen a variety of scratching post that cats love. Remember that cats like to shred, so carpets, and sisal work well.
Cats will naturally scratch in area where they live and you live. So place the scratching post where they have already started to scratch. You may need more than one scratching post. Remember, be patient, you cat will decide when they want to scratch. You can encourage a cat or kitten to scratch by keeping them near the scratching post, use a scratching post with a cradle or bed built in at the top, midway or the bottom.