When bringing a cat into your home, don't forget that it will soon start sharpening its claws regularly, as it simply needs to have them sharpened periodically.
A cat uses its paws and claws to mark its territory. So these factors need to be taken into account by anyone who gets a cat.
In a city apartment there is no opportunity to hunt, so for a comfortable stay of a new pet it is simply necessary to prepare a place for games and cleaning claws.
Kittens get used to a new place of residence, a litter box and a scratching post quite quickly. With adult pets, everything is much more complicated.
Cats have to get used to their usual places, walls and furniture with their smells and sounds.
The first few days after moving, cats carefully examine the new space they have found themselves in. And they are interested in literally everything: from the floor to the curtains.
It is during this period that it is very important to show the cat such an important item as a scratching post. And to achieve the desired result, it is better to purchase several devices for cleaning claws at once.
There are different types of scratching posts. And it is better to buy not one, but two or three at once to place in different places.
To attract attention to new objects for your pet, you need to show them first, try to interest them, play with your pet near them and be sure to praise them even if he accidentally passes by or gets his claws on them. Put a treat nearby that he will want to get.
A big role in getting your pet used to scratching posts is their correct placement. If your cat is rather lazy, don't hang the board on the wall. It's better to put it on the floor so that your cat can enjoy training its claws, slowly rubbing them on the rough surface.
Active cats and young ones will like it if scratching posts are located by the window, on the windowsill, or in several places around the apartment at once, so that during their daily walks they can sharpen their claws on the wall, the floor, and the windowsill at once.
Cats are especially attracted to claw sharpening structures in the form of posts with houses and various structures, because after training they can still play and sleep.
By the way, if there is another tasty reward after this, the cat will get used to approaching such a device quite quickly.
Then you can be sure that your pet will very rarely try to tug at the soft upholstery of your chair or sofa.
When choosing a scratching post, you should pay attention not only to the shape, but also to the material from which it is made.
It is advisable to choose a surface similar to the upholstery of the furniture, or to purchase a claw sharpener that is very similar to the one used in the cat's previous place of residence.
The main thing is not to spend too much on buying scratching posts. You can even make them yourself.
For example, if the cat has a separate place in the apartment, then you can use empty boxes, old soft toys as a device for sharpening claws, or combine them with a purchased scratching post. Pets will be simply delighted with such a gift.
True, the boxes will have to be changed quite often, and cleaning will take a long time, but the cat will definitely not scratch the furniture or wallpaper and will quickly get used to the new space.
Even the sweetest and most affectionate cat can accidentally damage furniture in the house. But remember that removing or sharpening claws is not recommended, as this can cause harm to your pet. It is better to be patient and accustom the cat to a scratching post.
Earlier we talked about how to teach a cat to use the toilet .
Author: Valeria Kisternaya
