My cat wont use her scratching post and shes ruining my furniture. What should I do?
The first step in re-training your cat involves your understanding of why she needs to scratch in the first place. It isnt motivated by her desire to destroy your sofa, nor is she being spiteful, stubborn or stupid. Scratching is a natural behavior in a cat, serving many vital functions. The most obvious is that it keeps the cats nails in good condition. As she rakes her nails across the surface, the dead outer sheath is removed, exposing the new nail beneath. Scratching is also used for marking purposes. In the wild, the marks serve as a visual calling card, letting others know that the territory is claimed. Additionally, scent glands in the cats paw pads leave an olfactory mark as well. Cats also use scratching to enable them to get a full back and shoulder stretch. Your cat needs a scratching surface that is tall, sturdy and covered in a rough material. If the scratching post at your house is short, wobbly or covered in soft carpet then your furniture is doomed to destruction. A car
