FELINE BEHAVIOR FAQs

1. Find a post with a surface that the cat likes that is stable and tall enough for the pet.  Besides commercial carpet-covered posts, try a fireplace log secured to a plywood base or a rope-covered post. Every time the pet approaches the post, toss a very small treat to it.  When it touches the post, toss a bigger treat, and when it scratches give it a big treat.
2. Keep the pet within eyesight at all times when you are at home.  Whenever it starts to scratch furniture, interrupt the behavior with a high power water gun, or toss a bean bag NEAR it.  Don’t say anything when you do this.
3. Whenever you can’t watch the pet (out of the home, busy or sleeping), confine it to a room without objects that it will likely scratch except its scratching post.  Once you notice that it is frequently scratching the post on its own, gradually start allowing it some freedom without supervision.
4. To keep from scratching furniture when you are not around, try one or more of these:
   a. Hang a movement detector alarm (e.g. doorknob alarm) on the corner of the furniture.
   b. Apply Sticky Paws to the furniture.
   c. Hang a towel over the side of the furniture with six empty aluminum cans on top of the towel.  When the cat scratches, the cans will tumble down.
   d. Cover the furniture with plastic or canvas drop cloths.
   e. Attach a tissue with a strong citrus fragrance to the side of the furniture.
   f. Attach balloons to the side of the furniture.  Hang a short ribbon on each balloon so the cat will swat at the ribbon and pop the balloon.
  
For a safe alternative to declawing see Soft Paws
A recent study in Europe found that the feline facial pheromone product that is used to stop urine spraying by cats, FELIWAY™ is also effective in decreasing scratching behavior.

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