Helping Your Cats Claw Their Way to Success

"Our cat is destroying everything in the house with her claws!" is one of the most common complaints from people who live with cats. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats, but it can be both annoying and destructive. Luckily, this behavior can also be modified humanely and effectively.

Why Cats Scratch

Like their wild ancestors, domestic cats use their claws for a variety of reasons. In some cases, scratching is a territorial behavior, with cats marking objects in their territory. Cats’ claws are also their first line of defense against attack from other animals. By just extending their claws, cats can send a subtle warning message to “back-off” before more force is needed.

Mostly, cats scratch because it feels good to them. Using their claws is part of their normal exercise pattern. While kneading and stretching, they both strengthen and relax the muscles of the feet, forelegs, backbone and shoulders.

Finding Good Solutions for Everyone

Obviously, Declawing is not a humane alternative, but cat owners need not resign themselves to shredded furniture and carpets. Most people find they can meet their cats’ natural clawing needs by supplying a scratching post that cats can find irresistible.

FELIX Katnip Tree is the Best Solution

The FELIX  Katnip Tree is sturdy so it won’t tip or fall while the cat is scratching. The large FELIX Katnip Tree is 28 inches long allowing your cat a full stretch. Most important is the surface of the post. Unfortunately, many commercially available posts are covered with the least appropriate materials such as carpet or upholstery fabric, exactly the kinds of common household surfaces cats should avoid.

The FELIX Katnip Tree is made with 100% hemp fiber sisal which provides resistance and allows cats to really dig with their claws.

If space allows, provide more than one post, especially in a multi-cat household. The best place to put a post is near the cat’s favorite snoozing spot. Cats most like to stretch and scratch as they awaken from a nap, and often after they eat and play.

How to Convert Your Cat to a FELIX Katnip Tree

Contrary to popular thinking, cats can be taught new behaviors.  While most cats are immediately drawn to the FELIX Katnip Tree, you may need to help them learn this to use the post through positive reinforcement, with some deterrence if necessary. Here are some helpful tips:

• Do not do anything that may startle the cat when she is in the vicinity of the post.
• Praise your cat lavishly each time she uses the post.
• If you see the cat eyeing furniture or carpet, calmly take her/him to the post, and praise your cat when they begin to scratch there.
• If you catch your cat in the act of scratching on the wrong place, do not punish your cat . Instead, try to distract your cat with a loud noise or water from a squirt bottle. This will stop your cat mid-scratch so you can take her/him to the post immediately. Again,  give praise for using the post instead.

It may take a while before you can trust the cat not to claw furniture while you are away or asleep. To reinforce your lessons, deny the cat access to forbidden surfaces and make them less attractive. Cover furniture with a material cats do not like (foil, heavy plastic, sheets of paper with double-sided tape on them), or put the cat in a secure area of the house with no furniture or carpet. If you do confine the cat, even for short periods, be sure to provide a litterbox, water, toys, and a scratching post so she will be accustomed to using it in your absence.

ll Still have questions? Please contact us anytime! We look forward to hearing from you.