Is your cute little furball trying to re-upholster your furniture? Is she trying to tell you its time to re-wallpaper the entire house? Do your plants look like they've been through a shredder? Is she giving new meaning to "hand engraved"? There are a few ways to lower your blood pressure.




First, scratching is a very normal part of a cats life and should not be discouraged. They scratch for a few reasons. They leave their mark by scratching for other kitties to see. Also leaving a scent from glands in their paws. This is a way for them to remove the dead outer layer or sheath of the nails. It also feels good while stretching out their entire body. The most important of all is they are used as a defense should kitty run into any unexpected trouble!


If kitty is scratching an object you need to determine what is it about these objects encourages her to scratch. What kind of texture does it have? Is it soft or hard. What kind of material is it? Is it tall or short? Any particular area of the house. Does it have a certain smell?


If you can pinpoint any of the above, you need to find an acceptabe replacement. Make sure the object is sturdy and you want to place this new object near where they are scratching. Hopefully they will try it out. If they do, you want to gradually move the object away from the original point of destruction. We're talking only an inch or two a day. Continue until it is located somewhere you can deal with.


You can use store bought or home-made scratching posts with cardboard, rug or even a piece of wood. Either tall or flat to the ground depending on the cats preference. Make sure the object is at the level the kitty was scratching at before.


You may want to cover the object she has been scratching with something while in training. You can try double sided tape if it wont ruin anything. Cats also dont like strong citrus smells or mentholated medicinal ointments. Be careful not to put too much as this may keep her away from the new object.


Do not remove the covering until kitty is well adapted to the acceptable scratching area. Dont remove everything all at once either.


Do your best to refrain from yelling at the kitty. This will only train kitty into thinking to not scratch while you are there. Also dont punish after the fact. Kitty wont have a clue as to what your yelling at him for. You can try keeping a squirt bottle of fresh water and if you catch him scratching, sneak up and give one quick spray. This will not harm kitty but will let him know that when he scratches there he better be wearing a raincoat! Obviously cats dont like water. You must be persistent and refrain from yelling as most of us would like to do. A loud clap of the hands may work too. Try a loud whistle.


I f this fails then you can take up nail trimming. What you need is a good quality nail clipper and if this is your first try alot of patience and maybe a box of bandaids...for yourself. It really is quite easy once you and kitty get used to it. Eventually, kitty should enjoy this grooming session as cats do not prefer to have long nails and occasionally will try to pull off the long nail with their teeth.


Hold your cat gently in your lap and begin patting and sweet talking her. You dont want to show any nervousness as they may detect it. Having a handful of healthy treats by your side may help the beginning process.


Get your kitty used to you gently rubbing her paw and her legs. Gradually rub a bit harder. You want to place your thumb on the top of her paw and forefinger underneath. You would then squeeze gradually so the claws are extended. If you fail dont give up. try again later. You will then see the pink or quick aka blood vessel. You do not want to clip this as it will cause the cat to bleed. Just gently hold the clippers perpendicular to the claw to keep from crushing it and then quickly snip just the tip off. This is enough to make the nail dull to prevent extensive damage to household objects. You can trim their nails weekly.


Another option is nail caps you can have your vet or you yourself can put on your cats nails.


Most important is to be persistent. Starting when they are kittens would prove to be alot easier so start young.


Declawing is not an acceptable option and should never be considered! The end.









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