Cat Claw Survival Solutions To The Rescue!
by Romi Matsushita.
Cats can be ill tempered and mean on their worst days, but even
the most annoying problems have a remedy somewhere. If your cat
is clawing your furniture, your carpet, and your legs with the
same ferocity, understanding the how and why behind the
behavior can help you redirect your feline friend's clawing
instinct to be expressed in less destructive ways.
So why IS your cat clawing everything in sight?
Here's the jawdropper: a cat's claws never stop growing. Let me
repeat that: They NEVER stop growing. When I found that out, a
big light went off in my head. Just like a pet hamster that
constantly needs to knaw on wood to keep their teeth from
growing too long, what cats are actually doing when they
sharpen their claws is removing the outermost layer of their
claws. O.K. Kitty Cat, we finally get it!
So what to do? What to do?
The first thought bubble that forms is to scoop kitty up for a
little declawing action at the nearest vet's office. But before
you take such a drastic step, keep in mind that once those claws
are gone, they're GONE. Take away those claws, and you're taking
away your pet's primary form of defense. Even if you have an
indoor cat like I do, chances are, sooner or later, a window of
opportunity is going to open up just long enough for your cat to
slip outside and be vulnerable to attacks from other animals and
people.
O.K. So now you know why your cat is actually using you as a
scratching post. Let's move away from the word "using". In a
way, it's kind of flattering. That doesn't make it hurt any
less. Let's get your cat to branch out. It's time to get a REAL
scratching post, so that your pet can get into the habit of
using it instead of YOU, whenever those claw sharpening
impulses may strike.
So how do we get kitty to break her bad habits and start to use
the proper place where she can scratch to her heart's content?
The answer lies in you.
That is of course, IF you are your cat's favorite person in the
family.
If so, then try hanging an article of clothing that belongs to
you on your virgin scratching post. The idea is to make the
area smell familiar. A day or two should be enough for your cat
to become accustomed to it's new scratching outlet.
Don't want to part with something from your wardrobe? Time to
get a little sneakier then. Catnip can be your secret weapon.
Sprinkle catnip over the scratching post and watch what
happens. This one may be even worth breaking out the video
camera for.
This next option sounds a little weird, but believe me, it
WORKS!
Try sprinkling the post area with powdered chicken bouillon.
The idea is to get the cat to feel friendly enough toward the
scratching post to attack it.
While your cat is making the transition to a designated area
for scratching, there are several ways to make your cat's
favorite scratching areas a lot less attractive. This will help
ease the transition from the old spots to the new.
Sprinkle fresh lemon juice over them. Cover or wrap the areas
in aluminum foil. Remember what it felt like when your
fingernails went down the chalkboard? Ever try it again? Cats
will experience the same thing and be deterred from using the
areas. Finally, clean the areas well to eradicate any cat odor.
This will go a long way toward removing the aura of familiarity
that creates the habit of using the space. Also, just keep the
doors closed to make those places inaccessible to the cat.
Now that you know more about the how and why of your cat's
clawing instinct and behavior, take these simple steps and
you’ll soon see a resolution to the cat clawing issues in your
household. With a little time and patience, your cat's claw
sharpening activities should be limited to it's favorite spot:
the scratching post!
About The Author: Romi Matsushita is a Cat Claw Survivor who
has the scars to prove it. Learn more reasons your cat's claws
come out at: http://www.cat-advisors-online.com
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