Teach you a trick to cure cats from scratching sofas/curtains indiscriminately

Those who have raised cats cannot escape the fate of "sofas turning into felt, curtains turning into tassels" - every cat owned by Cat Lord has been the "furniture destroyer king". The most tragic time was when the newly purchased leather sofa was scratched and riddled, and the curtains were so rotten that they couldn't be hung.

The instinct engraved in my bones, let me tell you the truth: don't scold the cat! Cats scratching randomly is not intentionally against you, nor is it "rebellion", but an instinct engraved in their bones. According to a survey covering 2465 cat owners, over 80% of cat owning households have experienced the problem of cats scratching furniture, with sofas and curtains being the hardest hit areas, accounting for 72% and 48% respectively. The probability of kittens scratching furniture between 3-12 months old is 2.3 times higher than that of adult cats. Today, I will teach everyone how to correct scientifically, which not only does not harm the cat, but also preserves the furniture in the home.

First understand: Why do cats have to scratch sofas/curtains? Not mischievous, just a necessity! Many scavengers rush to hit and curse when they see a cat scratching furniture, which actually makes the cat anxious and more aggressive. There are four core needs for cat scratching, each of which is indispensable: scratching and trimming nails. The outer layer of cat nails will continue to age and become brittle, and scratching can peel off old keratin, just like human nail art. According to research, cats scratch an average of 10-15 times a day for 30-60 seconds each time to maintain nail sharpness; Marking territory, cat pads have scent glands that leave their own scent when scratched, effectively declaring 'this is my territory'; Stretching the body, cats must scratch after waking up, which actually stretches the back muscles and spine, comparable to our morning exercise; Release emotions. When bored or nervous, scratching is their way of relieving stress, just like humans pinching stress toys.

The key is here! 3 steps to cure disorderly scratching, personally tested to be effective: choose the right cat scratching board and let the cat actively "fall in love" (the key). Many people buy cat scratching boards, but cats don't even touch them. It's not that cats are naughty, it's that you bought the wrong one! Data shows that the acceptance rate of cat scratching boards made of sisal material is as high as 75%, which is three times more durable than corrugated paper. The usage rate of standing cat scratching poles is 40% higher than that of flat models, because it can meet the needs of cats standing and stretching. My experience is to keep at least 2-3 cats at home, placed in the living room where cats are often active, at the bedroom door (catch them when they wake up), and next to the sofa and curtains (alternative targets). For example, the rural cat has a strong energy and prefers a vertical grab pole made of sisal; Garfield is soft and cute, and likes corrugated paper tablets; Fold eared cats have poor joints, so choose a shorter slanted version so that each cat can find their "favorite". In addition, sprinkling some catnip on the cat scratching board can increase the cat's acceptance by 60%. Personally tested, cats with Cat Lord basically hold onto the sisal scratching post for the first day.

Positive guidance, using snacks to "PUA" cats to develop habits. Cats may not understand 'no scratching', but they can understand 'there are benefits to scratching here'! According to animal behavior research, positive reinforcement training can help cats develop a habit of prioritizing scratching the cat and scratching the board within 7-14 days, with a success rate of 83%. The specific method is extremely simple: as long as you see a cat scratching its scratching board, immediately praise it in a cheerful tone and give it a small snack (not too much, to avoid gaining weight); If you see it trying to scratch the sofa or curtains, don't shout loudly. Use a cat teaser stick to gently break it, then hold it to the scratching board and gently rub it with its paws. After scratching, give a reward. My two blue cats have gone from being "sofa killers" to "loyal fans of cat scratching boards" in just 10 days, and have never touched the edges of the sofa again.

Temporary protection+daily maintenance to reduce the risk of damage. Before cats have fully developed their habits, make a "protective shield" for sofas and curtains: stick transparent anti scratch stickers on the sofa armrests, cover the bottom of the curtains with a cloth cover, or cover the severely affected areas with aluminum foil. Cats do not like the sticky and smooth touch and will actively avoid it, which can reduce 90% of damage. In addition, trimming the nails of cats every 1-2 weeks, only cutting the transparent hook at the front end of the nails, avoiding pink blood lines, can reduce scratching and destructive force by 80%. For cats with fast nail growth and stubborn scratching, they can consult a veterinarian and wear soft nail covers. Wearing them once can last for 4-6 weeks without affecting the cat's normal activities and can also protect furniture. Finally avoid the pit!

Do not do these 3 things, the more you do, the worse (the most important thing). Physical punishment and water spraying are strictly prohibited. Beating, scolding, and water spraying will only make cats afraid of you, but will also take advantage of your absence to scratch and retaliate. It will also damage your trust. According to surveys, households that frequently physically punish cats will increase the probability of cats scratching indiscriminately by 50%;

Resolutely do not undergo claw removal surgery: Claw removal surgery is not about cutting nails, but about cutting off the first phalanx of a cat's finger, which is equivalent to cutting off a human fingertip. It is cruel and painful, and can also cause lifelong pain and increased aggression in cats. Many countries have expressly prohibited it. To protect it, please protect its intact body.

In fact, correcting a cat's scratching behavior is essentially understanding its instincts and finding a suitable outlet for it. Remember: patience is more useful than scolding, choosing the right method is more useful than complaining. As long as you find the right skills, you can achieve a win-win situation of "happy cats and intact furniture"