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20 May Training a Young Kitten to Use a Cat Scratching Post
It is puurfectly natural for kittens to exhibit scratching behaviour!
Often, it is a form of play as well as a necessary element of their physical development. Regardless of the reason, it can be a very unpleasant experience when the cat furniture of the home has to suffer for it. Therefore, it is very important to train a young kitten to use a cat scratching post as early as possible..
There are some simple steps to use in order to train a kitten not to scratch household items. Pet owners beginning the training in this area of a kitten should consider themselves fortunate as good habits are easier to teach than breaking established behaviour patterns.
At the onset, it is a good idea for the pet owner to play with the kitten around the appropriate scratching area or post. Using toys or attaching them to the scratching area will compel the kitten to dig claws into the scratching surface. The toys will draw the kitten’s attention to the scratching toys or object and help it to know the pleasure of the feel of it.
Manually applying the kitten’s paws to the scratching surface is not recommended. It only inspires a rebellious attitude which can lead to an unpleasant relationship between pet owner and kitten. Cats are strong-willed even at an early age.
If the kitten begins to scratch inappropriate objects, it is best to immediately remove it to the scratching area or durable wooden scratching furniture and pet it there. Many kittens knead with their claws when they are being petted. This encourages the kitten to dig into the correct surface while reinforcing the correct behaviour with the benefit of physical reward.