Many cat owners have experienced their cats scratching furniture, but after buying a scratching board, the cats don’t use it. Actually, owners can train their cats to use the scratching board to sharpen their claws. If you are still a new owner, let me share some training tips with you.

　1. Place obstacles next to the furniture the cat scratches, or spray unpleasant scents on the furniture, such as air fresheners, to make it disliked. A more proactive method is to scare the cat with sounds like whistles when it scratches the furniture, creating a negative experience. Just once or twice can make it avoid the furniture forever. However, do not let the cat realize the sound is related to you, or it will fear you instead of the furniture.

　2. If your cat likes catnip, you can sprinkle catnip on the scratching board.

　3. If your cat really dislikes using the scratching board, you can try replacing it with wood.

　4. Place a fluffy toy hanging by a string at the top of the scratching board, because a swinging toy can attract the cat to play, gradually leading it to love the scratching board.

　5. Move the cat’s paws to near the furniture it loves to scratch, which can reduce constant furniture scratching.

　6. Make the edges of the scratching board fuzzy to increase the cat’s desire to scratch.

　7. Regularly trim its nails.

　8. Put the scratching board in places it likes, such as where it eats, plays, or has cat treats.

　Actually, it’s very common for cats not to use scratching boards. If the cat really dislikes the scratching board, owners can try other alternatives. Once you find something the cat likes to use for claw sharpening, training can begin without delay.