But such innovations in the interior do not always please the owners.
Why do cats tear furniture, and how to wean a cat to tear everything, do something about it? - Let's try to figure it out.
Nail sharpening is a completely normal and "healthy" behavior for cats.
In this way, purrs mark territory, groom their claws, relieve stress, express arousal, and finally sip their backs.
But what was wrong with sofas and wallpaper?😭
The cat scratches the couch because from the cat's point of view, a couch, table, chair, or wall are great scratching surfaces (they are strong enough, high enough, and quite comfortable to stick their claws into).
Sofas are often placed in places of social importance (because the whole family loves to gather on them), which increases their value as a place to socialize and leave their clawed messages.
Another equally important reason for such "sabotage" is the lack of a suitable "legal" alternative for sharpening claws.
Even if the cat has a scratching post, it may well not be liked or not suitable for the animal (too low / thin / unstable / already pretty shabby / standing in an uncomfortable place and many other reasons why the cat may not appreciate this device).
So our plan of action is as follows:
- we select a comfortable and suitable scratching post for the cat (if necessary, several);
- we try to cover / protect / cover the places beloved by the cat, but forbidden for scratching;
- praise and reinforce sharpening the nails in the “right” place.
It is much easier to accustom to a scratching post from a young age, but adult animals with an already formed “bad” habit are not at all hopeless. It will take more time, patience and your efforts, but the management of the environment and the proper organization of the space work wonders.
Learn more about solving this problem in our diagnostic consultation course for cats.