Keep Your Cat from Scratching Furniture - Part 1 of 2

Trying to completely stop your cat from scratching is like trying to keep a squirrel from gathering nuts: You won't succeed. It's what he's programmed to do. But with our four-step process, you can train your cat to leave the furniture alone and scratch his post instead. This week, we'll lay the groundwork with the first two steps.

Step 1: Understand Why Cats Scratch
Cats love to sharpen their claws. It's a completely instinctual, natural, and enjoyable behavior. It's also healthy (for your cat, if not your couch) and fulfills these needs:

• Stretching and strengthening back and leg muscles. Cats crave this healthy form of exercise and toning, and scratching is the perfect way to do it.
• Establishing their territory. Visible scratch marks and secretions from scent glands on their paws leave the territorial "This is my turf" message. Cats tend to repeatedly scratch the same spots to reinforce it.
• Getting regular pedicures. Scratching helps strip away the worn, chipped outer claw to leave a sharp new one in its place.

Step 2: Protect Your Stuff
During the initial training period, it's wise to put something between kitty's claws and your furniture. Measures like these can help:

• Apply double-sided tape to items into which your kitty likes to sink his nails. It's available at most pet stores.
• Place throws or blankets on the arms and backs of sofas and chairs.
• Spray a bitter smelling mist, such as bitter apple, to help keep your cat from using his claws to repeatedly mark a certain piece of furniture.
• Trim and cover claws. Have your vet show you how to safely trim your cat's nails, and ask about soft, protective nail coverings, such as Soft Paws.

Next week, we'll cover the third and fourth steps: Teaching your cat to scratch his post, not the furniture.