The Cat's Voice/In Depth

Reversing Bad Scratching Behavior

Use a watergun

Yell (or clap your hands loudly), but do not hit

Cover areas with plastic

Use chemical deterrents with caution

Choose closely woven furniture fabrics that are less attracting

Living with Claws

Trimming Cat Claws

Discussion -- give us your take on the subject

Product review

The Right Scratching Post

Product Review
Scratching Post System For Cats

Editor's Note: Many new cat owners wait too long to purchase an appropriate scratching unit. Only after they've noticed furniture, rug, or molding damage do they realize the necessity. By then a cat has developed habits that are hard to break.

We happened on to Natural Scratch while browsing the WWW. We now have one in our home in addition to 5 other scratching options for our many foster cats. It's the only natural wood post we've ever seen that is available commercially.

Natural Scratch is truly a simple, inexpensive and effective way to start a cat out right, especially a kitten. This post retails for around $20 and will last much longer than carpeted or other textured posts.

A life-long Wisconsin cat lover developed Natural Scratch as a way of helping owners control normal scratching behavior without resorting to declawing. Many cat lovers are convinced declawing changes cats in undesirable ways and is unnecessary when cats are provided with an attractive scratching post and owners know basic training techniques. Contrary to popular belief, cats can be trained using straightforward behavior modification methods such as those incorporated into the Natural Scratch system.

Natural Scratch is made from Wisconsin-grown white cedar and includes unique features that will help owners train their cats to scratch on it exclusively.

White cedar is a superior material for scratching because it has a combination of surface roughness and interior softness cats find hard-to-resist. Natural Scratch's claw-pleasing composition also makes it easier for owners to teach their cats what they may and may not claw. (Upholstered substitutes can give cats the wrong idea.)

Also unique to Natural Scratch is an easy-to-use seven page instruction booklet that takes owners through a step-by-step training procedure.