Cats have the scratching habit we all have to accept, especially if you are a cat owner. However, when this is done indoors on furniture, carpeted areas and walls, scratching might result in damage and frustration. It is better to prevent this problem than to try to change an established habit. What should you do? Get some nice scratching posts and get your cat prefer them rather than the walls or the arm of your favorite and expensive sofa. Nowadays you can find really nice pet products and luxury cat scratching posts that would look great in any apartment or house.
If you have a newly acquired adult cat or a kitten, there are some ways to establish good scratching habits. Put out two or three scratching posts in areas your cat uses the most, where he/she likes to play, rest and sleep. Do not force your cat to scratch the posts by putting its paws on them. However, encourage your pet to use these posts by scenting the scratching posts with catnip and playing nearby them. You can also use praise and food rewards when you notice your cat scratching the posts and you can even scratch the post yourself in order to stimulate your cat to do the same thing.
If you have an older cat with an established scratching problem, you can still do something to avoid the damage. If you cover damaged scratching area with thick plastic, it will feel less appealing and different, so your cat would be not so attracted to scratching it again. Also, you can put several scratching posts next to the damaged area, but make sure that these posts are covered with materials your cat prefers to scratch. Some cats like knubby textures, while others prefer loose-weaved fabrics. If you are not sure about your cat’s preferences, purchase both types of scratching posts and observe your pet’s behavior.