How to wean a kitten to sharpen its claws on furniture?

Why do cats sharpen their claws?

It is important to understand that the point of claws for a cat is a necessity inherent in it by nature.

To do this, she needs any vertical object. At the moment when the pet does this, it naturally removes dead plates and old cells from the claws. This process is useful not only for care, but also for muscle training.

In addition, this is how cats mark their territory: they secrete a substance with a pungent odor – a secret produced by the internal gland, which is located on the paws. Having sharpened its claws on this or that object, the cat leaves its own smell on it, making it clear that this is its territory. This instinct appears quite early in kittens.

Rescue scratching post

By accustoming a pet to a scratching post, you can forget about scratches on furniture and torn wallpaper. This is a very important item for the development of a kitten, which should be purchased soon after he enters the house, this will allow him to quickly get used to it. When choosing a scratching post, give preference to a stable model, coated with natural materials.

We teach the kitten to the scratching post

In order for the pet to immediately understand the purpose of the claw point, observe in what places it usually attaches to sharpen its claws. It is there that it is recommended to install a scratching post. This will mask the territory that your pet is used to, and at the same time redirect his energy to a new object.

Experienced breeders say that you can place a scratching post near the place where the cat sleeps. Then, in addition to its main function, it will also serve as a projectile for morning exercises, this will also benefit the health of the cat.

If the scratching post does not attract the attention of the pet, then you need to let him understand what it is for: as soon as the kitten is about to sharpen his claws on some object in the house, take it and take it to the scratching post and so on every time until he understands.

How to overcome the bad habits of a kitten?

Even if your pet is already accustomed to sharpening its claws on furniture or walls, it is quite possible to wean it. This will help the smell of citrus, cats can not stand it. You can gently wipe the furniture and other items in the house with an orange or lemon peel or spray it with a fragrance.

After that, it remains to observe the behavior of the cat. If she continues to sharpen her claws in the wrong place, ignoring the scratching post, she will have to change tactics. Try clapping your hands loudly to scare her off, splashing water on her. Repeat this until the pet understands that this is not the way to do it. Patience and consistency will bring results: you will definitely accustom the cat to the scratching post, and the furniture and things will remain intact.