For cat lovers, these graceful felines are part of the family.
What is more satisfying than spending a cozy evening at home with your
favorite cat purring contentedly on your lap? Such a scene is certainly
more inviting than that of your cat exercising his claws on a chair leg
or your carpet. If you have a cat that wants to scratch everything in
sight - furniture, clothing, even guests - and you don't want to give
him up, what do you do? There are a number of solutions to consider that
don't involve having your cat declawed.
First thing you must
understand when dealing with your cat is that scratching is natural.
When a cat scratches something, he is marking his place and establishing
his territory, as well as getting in a good exercise sessions. That
said, it's important not to discipline your cat severely when you find
frayed ends on your sofa or marks on tables, for this can put your
relationship with your cat at risk.
Let's take a look at some suggestions to help curb the clawing:
Make Scratching Spots Less Desirable
You
will want to train away your cat from the couches and tables. You can
accomplish this humanely by using scents that will deter your cat from
coming near your furniture, as well as special tape that repels your
cat. Touching is very sensitive for a cat, and specially-made tape
leaves a sticky sensation that helps discourage your pet.
Establish a Favorite Scratching Spot
Study
your cat's behavior. Is there a particular place in the home where he
scratches the most? Likely he is most comfortable there, so take
advantage and create an ideal scratching environment that will attract
him. Set up a scratching post comprised of the surfaces he seems to
prefer - wood or sisal for two - and direct your cat to exercise there.
Trim, But Don't Declaw
Keep
your cat regularly groomed by having his claws dulled so damage to your
home is minimal. If you check with your local pet store, you may also
find special products that cap your cat's paws like gloves so that they
can still scratch, but your furniture won't suffer the damages.
Declawing may seem like a last resort for a frustrated cat owner, but
many pet experts discourage this idea as an act of cruelty.
If you
have a cat that scratches too much, don't wait for him to shred your
entire home. Take gentle action to train him toward an acceptable
scratch space so he and you can be happy.