What will you learn from the article?
- How to teach a kitten to sharpen its claws Step 1 Choose a scratching post
- Step 2 Restrict access
- Step 3 Choose a location
- Step 4 Increase Interest
When a kitten or an adult cat appears in the house, the owner becomes responsible for the new pet, its care and education. One of the main desires of the owner is to protect the furniture from damage.
- In this article we will tell you in detail how to train a cat to use a scratching post.
- Let's share some useful training tips.
- We'll show you how to quickly and easily teach a cat to sharpen its claws on a scratching post.
Why does a cat tear up furniture?
Cats are used to sharpening their claws. They have no intention of ruining things. The cat sharpens its claws to remove dead particles, smooth the surface and sharpen the tips. This is a kind of exercise for the paw muscles. Surely the owners have noticed how the pet stretches sweetly after waking up and extends its claws to cling to something nearby.
Cats mark their territory this way. The glands located on the paw pads exude a characteristic secretion, the aroma is felt only by animals. Performing a daily “ritual,” cats strive to reach the top mark with their paws in order to create the appearance of a large and scary predator that left this mark.
A scratching post is a useful accessory that can protect furniture and wallpaper from cat attacks. However, in practice, teaching a pet to stand is much more difficult than, for example, teaching a pet to relieve itself in a litter tray. After all, this process involves confrontation with nature itself and is equivalent to training a cat.
Descriptions and photos of the plant - catnip
Catnip is an herbaceous perennial plant from the mint family that grows from 90 cm to 1.4 m in height. It has straight, green, square-shaped stems with brown-green foliage. The leaves have curly edges (triangular to ovate), with gray-white hairs on the underside. The fragrant flowers are small, white with spots of pale pink or purple, and bloom from late spring to mid-autumn.
What do you know about grass for cats?
There are about 250 species of plants in the Lamiaceae family, known collectively as catnips. Most of them are perennial plants that grow in height from 30 cm to 1 m. The catnip family grows in Europe, Africa and South-West Central Asia, in Russia it is distributed throughout almost the entire European part, in the North Caucasus, in the south of Western Siberia and the Far East, and was also naturalized in North America. Some are grown as ornamental plants that attract birds, bees and butterflies.
Most people associate catnip with its effects on cat behavior. However, if the plants in your garden are not damaged, cats will most likely not be interested in them. But some cats will roll around near the plant, meow, and even eat the plant, after which they fall into a relaxed, sleepy state. The thing is that big cats, such as lions, have inherited a specific gene - nepetalactone, which leads to such a sensitivity to the aroma of catnip. Cats that are younger than six months old and cats that have not carried this gene since birth do not have any reaction to catnip.
What measures should not be used when training a cat?
You cannot hit or scream at your cat if it has once again tested the strength of the sofa. The pet will be scared, but it is unlikely to understand why they are angry with him. It’s better to say sternly: “You can’t,” and hit the floor with a slipper or clap your hands. The animal will be wary and understand that this is not worth doing.
Attention! Cats are vindictive by nature. For any aggression in their direction, they are ready to commit meanness. If you yell at her or hit her, for example, she may relieve herself on the bed.
You should not spray your cat with water from a spray bottle when it begins to sharpen its claws. Of course, contact with water is unpleasant for a pet, which means contact with a carpet, sofa or something else into which its claws have previously dug will be associated with danger that should be avoided. However, this method can hardly be called humane.
Important! Sometimes cats sharpen their paws not because they feel the need. They strive to attract attention because they remember that after damage to furniture or a carpet, people start yelling at them.
Floor-standing
Perhaps the simplest designs to implement. They can be of various shapes and located on the floor or at an angle to it. In addition, they can be combined with some other elements, columns, houses.
How to make a floor scratching post
We suggest making a floor scratching post from corrugated cardboard yourself with step-by-step instructions. To work you will need:
- construction tape,
- pencil,
- ruler,
- scissors or wallpaper knife,
- glue.
You can take a box with low sides for the mold, but you can do without it by securing the finished structure with cardboard tape around the perimeter.
Necessary tools for making a scratching post
Place the strips tightly in the box
Cut the cardboard into strips to fit the length and height of the box. Glue the strips with glue and connect them. It is advisable to use glue with a minimally noticeable odor, for example, PVA. After drying, the nail clipper is ready for use.
Simple round corrugated cardboard scratching post
Corrugated cardboard bends quite easily, so the second version of the scratching post is a twisted long strip secured with glue or adhesive tape. In this case, the size can be chosen at your discretion, and in case of long-term use, simply add layers as the shaggy consumer grows.
How to accustom a kitten to a scratching post
The first steps in the process of accustoming a cat to a scratching post should be arranged in a certain order.
- Introducing the scratching post. You need to attract the kitten's attention to the scratching post in a playful way. You should stand near the accessory and tease your pet with a moving toy or any other object that can arouse the animal’s interest. The kitten will play around and wrap its paws around the scratching post.
- After waiting for this moment, the owner can quietly scratch the counter with his nails. The animal will hear the sound and may want to join in exploring the new thing.
- If, after the above-described manipulations, the kitten does not understand the purpose of the accessory, it is necessary to place the scratcher in a horizontal position and play with the animal around it. The cat will probe the surface with its paws when it accidentally jumps onto the scratching post while hunting for a toy. After a while, the pet will begin to use the nail clipper without the owner’s prompting or help.
- As soon as the animal develops the skill of sharpening its paws on a special stand, the scratching post can be returned to its original position, more convenient for the owner.
The best effective method of training a scratching post is to play with the kitten near the counter.
Like many other manipulations with animals, this habit is best developed at a tender age. Especially if the kitten tried to copy its mother and repeated the same actions after her. Therefore, it is good when the baby’s parents are already accustomed.
Features of training depending on the age of the kitten
1-1.5 months
At this age, patience and cat treats will be your helpers.
- Take the kitten's favorite treat and call him to the scratching post.
- Raise the treat over the kitten so that he reaches for it and puts his paws on the scratch pad.
- Praise him for this and give him a treat.
- Stroke and talk affectionately.
- Repeat these steps until the baby learns to sharpen his claws in the right place.
2-2.5 months
Grown-up kittens are trained in the form of a game. They attract attention with the help of toys and show how to sharpen their claws. The owner’s main goal is to show the pet that this new item can be fun to play with. Positive results are rewarded with praise and treats.
4-5 months
As kittens mature, they develop their own preferences and form habits. The main efforts of the owner of such a kitten should be aimed at combating scratching of furniture and carpets. Inappropriate places for scratching should be made unattractive and repulsive. And attract attention to the scratching post with sprays or other scents that cats like (catnip, valerian).
Video
Six effective tips
Below are some helpful tips that will help you succeed in training your kitten to use a scratching post:
- Encourage your petwhen he independently approaches the counter and begins to cling to it with his claws. You can praise, pet or give a treat.
- Do not grab your pet by the paws and force him to scratch the scratching post. Even if the owner does this carefully and gently, the kitten still will not understand what they want from him. He won't like it. The animal will try to escape from your hands, and the scratching post will already be associated with something unpleasant
- Try to attract your cat with mint. Do not use valerian (valerian), it, like a drug, distorts behavior and dulls the cat's instincts. Take a small amount of catnip and sprinkle (spray) the counter. This product attracts cats well, they begin to rub, purr and release their claws with pleasure.
- When playing near the counter, be attentive and consistent in your actions so that your pet clearly understands what they want from him.
- Do not play with the animal near curtains or furniture. By grabbing an object, the kitten will think that it can scratch other nearby things.
- Cover the corners of the sofa and other furniture with something rustling, such as bags or foil, while training you to use the scratching post. If a cat pulls up the carpet, it should be removed until a useful skill is finally established in the pet’s behavior.
For kittens, it is recommended to buy horizontal scratching posts in the form of boards trimmed with jute or sisal. Wooden ones are not the best option at a tender age, since the paw pads of small pets are too soft and susceptible to mechanical damage.
Should I have an onychectomy?
Finally, we should remind you about the operation permitted in some countries to remove the claws of domestic animals - onychectomy. Yes, this procedure will save the owners from a lot of trouble and preserve the furniture, but is it really harmless to the animal itself? After all, along with the claws, the front phalanges of the fingers are removed, which affects the functioning of the entire musculoskeletal system.
A cat is a fairly mobile animal and without claws it is doomed to endless injuries - there is nothing to cling to. She will not be able to climb onto a low surface; it will be difficult for her to maintain balance. After the operation, you may suffer from pain for the rest of your life, which is shortened by almost three times due to the disruption of your usual life. In addition, having lost its claws, the animal becomes more aggressive and tries to solve all its problems with the help of its teeth.
How to train an adult cat
Adults are smart, just like kittens, so the process of accustoming to a scratching post will not take longer. You need to act as in the case of a kitten:
- Bring your pet to the counter; in this case, you can move its paws along the upholstery of the scratching post.
- If necessary, use additional motivation - play a toy with her, moving the mouse or feather along the surface.
- You can, as in the case of a kitten, rub the upholstery with catnip leaves, the main thing is not to overdo it, cats have a keen sense of smell and a pungent smell can scare off the pet.
Important! If the previous tips turned out to be ineffective, you can rub the surface of the counter with a rag that you previously stroked a strange cat. The animal, sensing someone else's scent, will begin to mark the territory using its claws. However, it should be remembered that cats can mark in a slightly different way. If urine gets on the scratching post, a clean cat will most likely refuse to sharpen its claws on it in the future.
How to Grow Catnip at Home
At home, growing catnip by seed has proven to work best.
To do this, you need to take a seedling box or any suitable container. This species will “like” the most nutritious soil. Although a self-prepared soil mixture and a purchased universal substrate will differ in composition.
You can take: 1 part peat, 1 part turf soil, 2 parts nutrient soil and 1 part charcoal. Catnip will grow best in pre-disinfected soil. This can be done by ordinary calcination or by moistening the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Step-by-step instructions for growing in a pot
To improve germination, pre-soak the seed material.
On a note! Soaking the seeds can be combined with their simultaneous processing. If you immerse the seed in manganese for 10-15 minutes, this will not only disinfect them, but also significantly increase germination.
The sequence of actions taken should be as follows:
Before planting, the soil is moistened; seeds are planted in the soil no deeper than 1 cm
At this stage, it is important to follow the sowing pattern to avoid crowding of plantings. The distance between seedlings should not be less than 5 cm; the next stage is re-wetting the soil
Spraying with a spray bottle is best suited for these purposes; An important condition for good germination is the creation of a “greenhouse effect.” To do this, you can put a transparent bag on the container or cover it with any transparent material; When the first shoots appear, the lid must be removed; after the formation of true leaves, the plantings are picked; transplanting young seedlings into individual pots should be accompanied by pinching the roots. Thanks to this procedure, the plant will grow in a horizontal rather than vertical direction; moving to larger containers is carried out as the catnip grows.
It is important to remember that for the health of the plant it is important not only to comply with planting rules, but also to timely and high-quality care of the seedlings. In order to prevent the soil from drying out, a tray is installed under the pot, which is filled with water as needed.
It is advisable to carry out timely formation of the plant. When side shoots and leaves are removed, the flower will begin to grow upward more actively
In order to prevent the soil from drying out, a tray is installed under the pot, which is filled with water as needed. It is advisable to carry out timely formation of the plant. When side shoots and leaves are removed, the flower will begin to develop upward more actively.
Growing catnip at home
Important! The pinching and pruning procedure should be carried out only after the end of the flowering process. We must not forget about the necessary feeding of plantings
Any natural mineral preparations are suitable for these purposes. The first time fertilizer is applied to the soil at the moment the first shoots appear. The second - before the formation of inflorescences, the third - during active budding and the appearance of the first flowers
We must not forget about the necessary feeding of plantings. Any natural mineral preparations are suitable for these purposes. The first time fertilizer is applied to the soil at the moment the first shoots appear. The second - before the formation of inflorescences, the third - during active budding and the appearance of the first flowers.
If you do not fertilize the soil in a timely manner, the roots of the flower will be depleted and the catnip will not be able to develop.
What will help attract a cat to the scratching post?
To attract your pet to the scratching post, you first need to wean it from sharpening its claws in the usual way, that is, on furniture, wallpaper, etc.
- Will help scare your pet away from the sofa or carpet sharp citrus smell. Treat your favorite nail sharpening areas with lemon juice. This will keep the animal away from them for a long time.
- Cats do not accept polyethylene , because its surface does not leave the slightest chance for claws to catch on. And the bubble wrap actually creates fear in the cat. Cellophane should be used to cover furniture and places (wallpaper and doors) that the pet has chosen. For these purposes double-sided tape sold in pet stores will do. When a pet wants to sharpen its paws, it will begin to stick to the surface, and cats don’t like that.
- As mentioned earlier, the smell of catnip, toys attached to a scratching post, and rewarding with treats when the cat behaves correctly will help attract a cat.
All protected areas need to find a replacement - a scratching post. You can buy it in a specialized store or make it yourself. It’s better to take or make several and place them in your favorite places, and then begin the training process according to the recommendations described above.
If you can’t train your pet to use a scratching post, you can try the following:
- change the location of the stand, moving it to the corner where the cat is used to getting a “manicure”;
- hang your pet’s favorite toy on the stand (or better yet, a bell or rattle, such things can arouse greater interest in the cat);
- treat the upholstery with catnip powder or solution;
- observe the animal and determine which surfaces it scratches most often: vertical or horizontal and which material is of greater interest. This will help when choosing a scratching post.
Pillars
The scratching post is often used by cat lovers due to its versatility. A cat can sharpen its claws on both horizontal and vertical surfaces, climb up, and chase a toy attached to a post. If you fix a horizontal platform on top of the post, then the issue with the bed will also be resolved.
Simple scratching post
Scratching post with toy
Floor-standing scratching post with horizontal scratching post
Sometimes cats tear up furniture legs, most often table legs. Here you can improvise - wrap it with twine and you will get a ready-made claw blade.
How to make a scratching post
To make a scratching post, any available material is suitable - a board or plywood for support, a small block or a piece of plastic pipe for a post. Having screwed the beam to the base using self-tapping screws or secured with metal corners, you need to tightly wrap the beam with twine or sisal rope (can be bought at Leroy Merlin) using a glue gun for fastening.
We wind the rope tightly around the scratching post bar of the post
Advantages of sisal rope: high strength, durability, natural material
The base can be painted, sealed with a piece of thick fabric, carpet, or the same rope can be laid in a spiral, glued for strength. The main requirement for such a structure is stability. It is necessary to carefully calculate the proportions of the height of the column and the area of the base, or “peep” the dimensions of finished products in pet stores.
Useful video
Video instructions on how to accustom a kitten and an adult cat to a scratching post:
Patience, persistence and regular repetition will help train even the most stubborn pets. There is such a procedure in the world as removal of nail phalanges. However, in many countries it is equated with mutilation and is opposed to these actions, and we are of the same opinion.
If you can’t get your cat accustomed to a scratching post, then you can think about using silicone anti-scratch pads or trim your pet’s claws more often, and our article on proper claw trimming will help you with this.
Everyone is responsible for those they have tamed, therefore, when taking a new animal into your home, it is important to understand all the responsibility and natural needs of pets. Accustoming to a scratching post is a complex process that requires a lot of time, but this is the only option when, as they say, both the wolves are fed and the sheep are safe. Leave comments on the article about what methods you know of training a cat to use a scratching post.
The Scientific Explanation of the Effects of Catnip on Cats
Scientists explain this effect on the cat’s body by the presence of a substance – nepetalactone, in the essential oil of the plant, which gives it a peculiar aroma. No serious scientific research has been carried out on this matter, therefore the mechanism of action has not been studied or described by science. It is assumed that nepetalactone molecules have a structure that allows them to act on the centers of pleasure and euphoria in the brain of cats. At the same time, there are no negative consequences or addiction
observed. The selective effect is explained by the different structure of the genome in different individuals, that is, in the genome of immune animals, there is no gene that is responsible for interaction with nepetalactone. The harmlessness of catnip for cats is also supported by the fact that in nature they “do not miss the pleasure of having fun” when they encounter this plant. As is known, all animals, at the level of instinct established by the experience of previous generations, avoid communication with environmental objects that pose a danger to them.
Collection and preparation of medicinal raw materials
The ground part of the catnip is used for medicinal purposes: leaves, stem and flowers. The collection of raw materials is carried out during the flowering period, the grass is cut at a height of 10 cm, then dried under a canopy, in well-ventilated areas or in the air.
Dry raw materials should have a green-gray color. It can be stored for up to 2 years. Usually, after harvesting, the plant grows back and blooms again in August-September. In the second or third year of life, catnip produces the highest yield.
Chemical composition. The composition of the catnip herb includes essential oil, which has a pleasant lemon smell, vitamin C, saponins, glycosides, bitter and tannins.
Growing catnip and caring for the plant
This plant is unpretentious and does not require much time and effort to care for. Catnip is grown using seeds or seedlings, as well as by dividing bushes.
Seed propagation involves planting seeds in open ground. The distance between rows should not be less than thirty centimeters. They are buried one centimeter into the soil, and thinned out at the first shoots. Removed sprouts can be transplanted to another location.
If you plan to plant the plant using seedlings, then the seeds are planted in small containers. And when the first pair of true leaves appears, it is necessary to transplant the seedlings into the soil, followed by fertilization. But at the same time, it is worth knowing that you need to replant the plant when frost is no longer expected.
The plant is propagated by dividing the bushes or dividing the roots every three to five years. To do this, you need to dig up the plant, carefully clean the roots, divide them into several parts and plant them separately from each other.
You should pay attention to the fact that each plant should have three to four buds and roots
Catnip care involves regularly watering the plant, loosening the soil, and fertilizing. The plant is most often fed with compost, humus and various mineral complexes.
Such a plant rarely gets sick, but if it is over-watered, powdery mildew may appear. It is easy to get rid of it with the help of various insecticides, but only if the grass is not eaten.
The smell of catnip repels pests, so you shouldn’t expect problems from this side. The only ones who are not afraid of its aroma are cicadas, but they do not cause much harm to the plant.
