THE CAT DOCTOR

COMMITTED TO CATS

Cat Scratcher Solutions

There are lots of scratching posts, pads and trees available.  Try different textures and styles to see what your cat prefers. Remember that upright, vertical or inclined scratchers need to be tall enough for the cat to stretch its whole body and stable enough not to move. When introducing a new scratcher, sprinkle it with cat nip to get your cat’s attention.

Style

    Flat scratching pads                    Vertical cat trees or posts

     Inclined pads and posts            Wall Mounted Pads

Material

    Cardboard       Carpet       Sisal      Wood boards, driftwood

Location

 Near furniture that you DON’T want your cat to scratch

  Near sleeping areas or perches

Training

Tell the cat “no” when he or she scratches furniture and coax the cat to a scratcher. Don’t yell or hit the cat: punishment doesn’t work and will probably teach your cat to scratch when you are not present.

Reward the cat for using a scratcher with a treat, petting or play.

If the cat never uses a particular scratcher, replace it with different types of scratcher until you find the one that works.