Cat owners know that cats love to scratch things. If you don't provide them with a scratching post, they will go for your beloved furniture and leave scratch marks behind.

The reason cats scratch things are not only to sharpen their claws but also to leave visible marks!

Scratching is a normal behavior for cats and one of their basic survival instincts. Wild cats scratch around their sleeping or resting areas to mark territory with their claws. Besides sharpening their claws, scratching also leaves marks and the pheromone scent secreted by the scent glands in their paw pads, which makes them feel secure.

This allows other cats to know that it's their territory. Additionally, since cats have scent glands on their paw pads, scratching also leaves their scent, asserting their presence and boosting their confidence. At the same time, when a cat enters that area, it feels comfortable and safe.

Scratching helps remove worn-out old claws, allowing new sharp claws to emerge. This not only aids cats in hunting small prey but also protects their own safety.

After being domesticated by humans, cats' claws are not as necessary, but the instinct to scratch still exists deep within them. Even if you provide them with a scratching post, some cats may continue to scratch on furniture, especially high-quality ones like leather sofas and wicker furniture.

Generally, cats with a stronger territorial instinct or higher confidence tend to use scratching to mark their territory. I advise against threatening them, as it is not only ineffective but may also cause further problems

The correct approach is to guide cats on where to scratch!

Once a cat scratches a particular piece of furniture, they will continue to scratch in the same spot. If you want to guide your cat to use a scratching post, you can choose the popular corrugated cardboard scratching boards, preferably placed on the floor for easy access, especially for kittens. Start preparing a scratching post for them from a young age, place it where they sleep or rest, or you can even mount it on the wall.

To prevent cats from scratching furniture, you can place obstacles near the furniture that has been scratched to prevent the cat from accessing it. Alternatively, you can place the scratching post in front of the furniture to divert the cat's attention to the scratching post instead. Additionally, you can spray an odor that cats dislike, such as air freshener, on the furniture to make it uncomfortable for the cat. You can also cover the furniture with plastic or sticky tape, as cats generally dislike the smell and sticky texture of plastic.

Here are some suggestions to consider:

1. It's best to have multiple scratching posts, with one placed near where the cat sleeps or rests.
2. The size of the scratching post should be around 15 to 20 centimeters wide and 30 to 40 centimeters long.
3. The scratching post can be placed flat on the ground or vertically mounted on a wall. If it's mounted on the wall, adjust the height based on the cat's size to ensure they can easily stand and grip it.
4. Once the cat is accustomed to using the scratching post, you can move it to the desired location.
5. Don't remove the plastic from the furniture until the cat is used to using the scratching post.
6. Try different materials for the scratching post to understand the cat's preferences.
7. You can sprinkle catnip on the scratching post or attach plush material to the edges of the post to increase the cat's interest. Hanging a plush toy with a string at the top of the scratching post can also attract the cat to play and gradually develop a liking for the scratching post.
8. Avoid buying indestructible scratching posts, as cats don't like them.
9. Even if the scratching post becomes messy from scratching, don't rush to replace it because cats enjoy the marks it leaves.
10. Trim your cat's nails regularly.

Please note that using forceful or artificial methods, such as grabbing the cat's front paws and making them scratch the post, will make the cat extremely averse and may lead to them refusing to use the scratching post. Similarly, demonstrating the scratching post yourself to the cat is not an effective approach as it may confuse the cat. Cats are intelligent animals with independent thinking, and any forceful or artificial methods will only create aversion. Therefore, it's best to avoid such unnecessary actions.