American Shorthair Cat

　　Whether kittens or adult cats, they all have the habit of scratching, but some cats use wardrobes and sofas as their scratching tools, which troubles their owners. So, how to train cats to obey scratching discipline?

　　1. Reasons Why Cats Scratch

　　Cats scratch for a reason: scratching is a natural habit of cats, so stopping them from scratching is impossible. For little cats, their claws are their most powerful weapons, so they need to regularly remove old keratin to keep them very sharp. In addition, scratching also signals their territory and increases scent marking. There are scent glands inside a cat’s front paws, so scratching helps spread their scent. However, if allowed to scratch freely, sofas, curtains, chairs, carpets, wooden floors, walls, and more will become damaged and unsightly. Moreover, once a cat chooses a scratching spot, it will repeatedly go there, causing even more damage. Teaching cats about scratching is one of the most difficult educations. Therefore, it is important to start training early before furniture is ruined.

　　2. Preparation for Cat Scratching

　　Repeatedly bring the cat to designated scratching areas: first, prepare special scratching tools. Although there are many varieties sold commercially, homemade ones work well too. Simply wrap fabric strips around a wooden board. If possible, prepare several and place them where the cat likes to go. If the cat begins to scratch furniture, immediately say "No," and bring it to the place with the scratching board. Owners can hold its front paws to make it scratch. At first, the cat may make noise, but after a few attempts, it will patiently scratch. When it becomes very skilled at scratching there, it should be praised.

　　3. Using Spray Deterrents for Cats

　　There is the method of using spray deterrents, but the effect is temporary: naturally, the cat will remember the scratching spot, but if you cannot wait, you can spray unpleasant substances or sprinkle vinegar—something cats dislike—on places where you don’t want it to scratch. However, once the scent disappears, the effect is lost, so patient education is still the most important. Cats are forgetful animals; even if scolded for just now's behavior, they won’t understand why. The second point is to educate patiently. This doesn’t mean criticizing today and allowing tomorrow, but maintaining a consistent attitude of patient criticism at all times. If the owner gives up midway, all previous hard work is wasted. In this case, the cat will become unruly. The third point is absolutely no corporal punishment. Randomly hitting cats causes them to fear their owner and develop a submissive personality. When cats behave well, giving plenty of praise is also important: when the cat performs well, praise it greatly. Although cats don’t understand human words, they clearly distinguish tones of reprimand from praise. When praised, their mood improves, which gradually increases educational effectiveness. Of course, it is important to praise immediately rather than afterwards. (Source：PetsZone)