How to train a kitten to a scratching post: 10 practical ways

A kitten in the house is not only tenderness and delight. Affectionate games with your beloved pet are marred by spoiled furniture and scratched carpets. Cats, which by their nature need the natural sharpening of their claws, spoil the property. Everything is used - wallpaper, sofa upholstery, corners and even your favorite shoes. Thus, the cat removes dead scales from its claws. In addition, in the claws of this animal are glands that produce a special smell - a secret. It serves to mark territory.

As soon as a kitten is brought to your home, you need to train it in time not to spoil things and furniture, but to sharpen your claws in the place provided for this. It’s much harder to train a cat to a claw point than to a tray. After all, in essence, it is a very neat animal, which is not used to shitting where it eats and rests. But it will be quite difficult to force a wayward cat to sharpen its claws in a certain place. But with the right approach, patience and perseverance, this is possible. Here are some effective methods to teach a kitten to a claw point.

10 practical ways to teach a kitten to a scratching post

1. First, introduce your pet to a new toy. Pick up a feather or a wrapper on a rope and play with it near the claw point. Try to make the kitten involuntarily cling to the surface of the accessory. So he can feel her paws, he will understand why this item is needed. It is important that the game has a joyful and fun atmosphere. The cat understands by the intonation of the voice and by the look, whether you are satisfied with her actions or vice versa, you condemn her. If she scratches carpets and furniture - do not leave it unpunished, show the animal that you do not like it. A kitten does not understand words, but perfectly understands the tone of a person's voice. But when the baby begins to use the claw-brush, on the contrary, praise him and encourage him with his favorite treat. He will understand that it is possible and even necessary to scratch it.
2. In no case do not take the kitten's paw in your hand and do not hold it on the subject. He will not understand why you are doing this and will feel weak and defenseless. Thus, you are likely to cause him to dislike this accessory.
3. The cat responds very well to odors, so you can play on this. Put a small amount of valerian on the claw tip, and your pet will not be able to tear yourself away from such an accessory. And the corners of the furniture and other places that your kitten likes must be protected by sprinkling grapefruit or lemon juice on them.
4. Try to keep the scratching post where the kitten spends the most time. Typically, cats like to sharpen their claws immediately after sleep. Predict the action of your pet and put this item nearby.
5. If the claw-tip is vertical, you can hang a bright toy on a rope on its top. The kid will play and unwittingly sharpen his claws. Gradually, he will become accustomed to using the scratching post as intended.
6. First, you can place this accessory near those places that the cat likes to scratch - the corners of the furniture and the legs of the chairs. When the cat begins to get used to the scratching post and will do exactly what you expect from her, you can gradually move the item to where you think it should be.
7. You can attract the attention of an animal with the help of catnip, which you can buy at a pet store.
8. If you are unable to accustom the animal to the claw point with these methods, try the following method. Ask someone you know for a scribble that was in use by another cat. Usually these items retain the strong smell of the previous owner.When your cat smells the smell of a strange cat on its territory, it will begin to actively scratch the claw tip in order to break the smell of a strange animal with its secret.
9. If you are unable to wean an adult cat from scratching furniture, you must spray her face with water from a spray bottle during her crime. This is a very effective way - the cat will think about it before sharpening its claws on the sofa again.
10. Be patient with your pet, do not expect him to understand the purpose of the claw point on the first day. If he pranks again, do not shout at him with good obscenities. A strict and loud “Cannot” is usually enough. Scold the cat for wrong actions and encourage for the faithful. Be consistent. The cat will orient for several days.

In order for a cat to accustom itself to a claw-tip, the subject must be suitable for the animal. In pet stores, there is a huge selection of cat accessories. Complex structures are very interesting, which are a gaming zone, a place to sleep and a built-in scratching post. However, such instances are not cheap.

Ordinary claws can be vertical and horizontal. Before buying, follow your pet how he prefers to scratch his claws - stretched out on the floor or standing on two legs in an upright position. The right choice regarding the preferences of your pet can significantly speed up the process of learning and meeting a kitten with a claw point.

If you can’t afford such an option, you can make a scratching post yourself. To do this, you need a strong and stable base, a pipe of wide diameter and soft material - carpet or twine. A round or rectangular base is best made from a piece of chipboard. To its center you need to attach the pipe using the corners. When the design is completed, it is necessary to sheathe it with soft material. Carpet is best glued to building glue. However, the glue should not have a too pungent odor - otherwise it will scare away the animal. The twine can be wound tightly on the tube. The mounts must be very strong so that the cat does not break your structure on the first day of its use.

The cat needs to be trained and adapted its behavior for life in a human home. Only such "cohabitation" will bring joy, harmony and love.

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