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When it comes to owning a cat, many people just assume that no training is needed. Training is more commonly associated with dogs and cats are seen to be an easier type of pet to own. However, as many cat owners have found out - owning a cat can actually be an extremely frustrating experience!

When owning a cat you come to realize they are not the little angels you thought they would be. One major issue with owning a cat is that they scratch whatever they can get their claws into. There's no reason to get discourage. There is solutions to your cats behavior problems. Take this advice on how to stop cat scratching.

Understanding Your Cats Need to Scratch

Cats scratch things for mainly two reasons. The first is that they are naturally keeping their claws down as well as sharpening them at the same time. The claws grow constantly and they do need to be kept under control. They are a vital part of a cat's body as obviously they would usually use them to hunt. This hunting instinct is extremely strong in all cats and so they tend to constantly scratch usually wooden objects in order to help them to keep their claws in the best hunting condition.

The second reason why cats scratch things is because they are marking their territory. They will also spray their territory and rub their scent on it too. If someone or something new has just been introduced into your cat's environment then there is a good chance that they will start to scratch things more frequently. Therefore most of the time, problem scratching is caused by your cat feeling threatened in some way.

Preventing Problem Scratching

Since it is in their nature to scratch it can not be stopped completely. However, if you want to stop them from scratching furiture or other objects, you can always buy a proper scratching post. These can be found in any reliable pet store, or if you choose to you can even make your own.

Make sure to place the scratching post in a high traffic area. Somewhere everyone in the household goes frequently. Your cat needs to feel they are marking their territory, and if the post is hidden somewhere it can't convey that message.

Some owners complain that they have trouble getting their cat to actually use the post. In order to solve this problem you will need to make it as enticing as possible. Play with them around the post and feed them by it too. Hang things that they like from the post too as this will encourage them to mark their territory.

Overall, as long as you make the post seem enticing, your cat should soon start to get the idea. Try to teach your cat to use a post from an early age as that way you will not have as many problems teaching them how to use it. Be persistent with your training and ensure that you let the cat know that marking your furniture is not appropriate. Always reward them with praise when they do use their post. If you follow these tips you should successfully be able to post train your cat.

Have a cat behavior problem that needs solving? If so, visit http://www.secretsofcats.com today to get expert information on how to train your cat and eliminate cat problems quickly.