I want to train it to use a scratching post instead. It is a 7 year old that was abandoned. How can I train it and will it be possible?
Is It Easy To Train A Cat Not To Scratch Furniture?
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I want to train it to use a scratching post instead. It is a 7 year old that was abandoned. How can I train it and will it be possible?
#1 by kattaddo - November 24th, 2009 at 04:05
You must truly love cats, I admire you for taking this one in.Yes it’s possible to train him to a scratching post ! You might need a bit more time and patience with an older cat, but this is how to do it :http://clawsforever.ning.com/group/annie…
It’s by Annie Bruce, cat expert and author and it does work !
All the shouting, squirting water,hitting, that some people will ‘advise’ don’t work, you should never punish a cat, it doesn’t solve anything and the cat becomes nervous of you.
Good luck.
#2 by Nadia K - November 24th, 2009 at 05:50
Try different types of scratching posts and mats and see whether your cat use it. Some cats like to scratch horizontally and others vertically. Cats have their own personalities and different cats like different things.
I have bought a paper boxy one and a carpet post one but she didn’t use it. So I bought scratching sisal mats and she likes it a lot. First one was a sisal mat with fabric back and nowadays it has rubber backing. I put one on the floor and one on a chair vertically. If your cat likes catnip then put them on the scratching mat. Unfortunately, my cat doesn’t response to catnips.
When your cat scratch your furniture, move your cat to scratching post/mat and put the paws on there. If your cat use the designated post/mat, praise it with words, patting and cat treats.
My father’s house has wicker furniture and this is best attraction scratching furniture for cats so don’t buy these kind of furniture for your money. :p
#3 by Alex - November 24th, 2009 at 09:37
Sprays don’t work that well. I would suggest getting a spray bottle and squirt the cat with water when it scratches furniture. We use a toy water gun, so it is a little fun and keeps us from getting so angry.
Try taking the cat’s front paws and move them up and down the scratching post. This has to be done over and over, but they generally get the message.
I don’t believe in declawing, so after trying several things, I found the top two ideas to be the best.
#4 by Stephany - November 24th, 2009 at 10:13
Yes it is def possible to train him to use a scratching post… We used to let our little one scratch on our furniture because it was used… We got new furniture a year ago and regretted letting her scratch the old.. But we got a couple of scratch posts and now she doesn’t show the couch any interest except to sleep on…
And if you are having problems with him scratching on it.. Sit on the floor beside it and scratch it with your finger nails… Sometimes they need guidance on what to do especially if they’ve never had a loving home… It might sound a little silly but it works just need a little patience…
The no scratch stuff is a joke… It attracted my cat more to the object than shunned her away…
#5 by ragdolls - November 24th, 2009 at 10:54
Water spray bottle works the best. I’ve trained my four boys that way and I have no issues of scratching. However, I do have a lot of scratching posts around and praise them endlessly when they use them. Also when they were in training and would go towards the couch to scratch I would shout “NO”. Once, very loud and spray them at the same time. It worked just fine, they get the hint.
#6 by marci knows best - November 24th, 2009 at 14:59
No it is not easy. I have been trying with varying degrees of success for 40+ years. Sometimes putting catnip on the post and covering the furniture with a loose throw will help, but not always.
#7 by Dee Dee - November 24th, 2009 at 19:21
Spray cat repellent on areas that you do not want him to scratch.
And buy him a cat post to scratch, or some good toys to play with. Your cat sounds bored.
#8 by Ash44 - November 25th, 2009 at 01:18
there are sprays you can get to spray on areas you don’t want your cat to be, this is the easiest way.
#9 by emily h - November 25th, 2009 at 04:25
It depends on how strong-willed your cat is. Get them a scratching post. Spray them lightly with water when they scratch on furniture