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TRAINING YOUR CAT NOT TO SCRATCH
One of the most annoying things about cats is their scratching. Cats have been known to destroy furniture, drapes and screens. They instinctively scratch. It is in their nature to do so. What can you as cat owner do to prevent your things from being destroyed? The first thing to do is to understand exactly why your cat scratches in the first place. It is not just a pleasant experience for your cat but it has practical reasons as well. Cats scratch to mark their area. A cat’s paw has glands which secrete a scent when they scratch. They also scratch to get exercise. They stretch to their full extent and work their upper limbs. It also helps to sharpen but their claws but this is only a small part of the behaviour. Try providing your cat with places where it is allowed to scratch. Some people swear by scratching posts. If you have more than one cat you would be well advised to have number of poles around your home Cats also like to scratch on corrugated cardboard or large tree branches. These are not nearly as attractive as some of the posts you can buy, however they are a lot cheaper and easier to replace when they do start showing signs of wear. Cats are creatures of habit. They like to scratch the same thing over and over again. If your cat already has a habit of attacking your couch you may be in for a battle, however, you can still win with patience. Cover the couch with a fabric that the cat does not like. Sometimes just altering the feel will be enough to get kitty to stay away from the couch. You may also want to try spraying the couch with a citrus scent, most cats will stay away from this smell. You can purchase sprays at most pet stores. To encourage your cat to use the post, place the post near the couch and encourage your cat to use it. You can even consider spraying the post with catnip. Anytime you see the cat using the post praise her and give her a reward. If you see the cat scratching the couch stop her immediately and move her to the post.
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If your cat is extremely persistent you may have to try more drastic measures. These methods are only going to work if you catch your pet in the act of scratching. Keep a can filled pennies or marbles near the object the cat scratches and the moment you see the cat start to scratch, rattle the can as loudly as possible. This will startle the cat and most cats will immediately stop. Of course, you might want try spraying the cat with a water pistol. Remember you must never hit your cat. Hitting a cat only teaches it to fear you. Another product you might consider are nail caps. These are actually caps which are glued onto your pets nails. They are harmless and most cats adjust to them very quickly. They come in a variety of sizes and colours and are very easy to apply. While wearing them your cat will be unable to do any damage to the furniture in your home. Declawing, is a very controversial topic. Many vets and pet owners are totally against this practice. They believe it to be inhumane and cruel, however, if it will prevent an animal from ending up at the local shelter as another unwanted pet it is an alternative to consider. As a cat owner you can teach your cat where it is allowed to scratch and what it is allowed to scratch. This is going to take time and patience, but it can be done.
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