SCRATCHING furniture is another common cat problem, which is again a normal territorial marking behavior. Cats have scent glands both at the corners of their jaws as well as the pads of their feet. When a cat claws, it accomplishes at least 3 things:

1. Dead layers of claw, which continually build up are removed.
2. The cat also leaves both a visual as well as scent mark of its presence in the territory, and
3. The cat expends pent up energy and relieves boredom.

To control excessive scratching one must be sure the cat has people to play with, as well as many interesting and constantly changing toys. The cat must also be taught to use acceptable alternatives. Scratching posts come in many different styles but one must make or purchase them from the cat’s point of view It must be tall enough to get a good stretch on, have a substrate which allows a good run of the claws (sisal rope, burlap, tight weave carpet, many sofa fabrics all have been accepted by cats) and be placed in a central location where all the would be intruders would see your cat’s mark.

Teach the cat when you first adopt it to use the proper place by using catnip rubbed on the post(s), gently holding the paws up and using a scratching motion to have the cat “get” the idea” and gently reprimand the cat for using the wrong areas using a water pistol, can with a few pennies or other device not too related with your presence. You may need to provide a variety of acceptable things for your cat to scratch and even to continue to clip the claws short for a period of time. Seeking the aid of an authority on cat behavior problems will usually help if your cat resists and last resorts can include blunt claw covers carried by some veterinarians or a declawing procedure if all else fails.