Encourage kittens to use posts, and reward them with food and praise. Consider giving your cat extra attention when he stirs from a nap, and then placing him near the scratching post, since many cats scratch when waking up. Avoid punishing your cat if she scratches an inappropriate area - punishment teaches the cat to not scratch in your presence, but it won't deter a cat from scratching when you're not around. Avoid letting your cat scratch an old couch, even if you plan to get rid of it soon - this will only encourage your cat to scratch the new couch. Consult your veterinarian about alternative treatment options before you give up.
Destructive behavior is a leading reason why people surrender their cats to animal shelters.
Yelling and loud noises may cause anxiety and encourage destructive behavior. Scratching is a natural behavior, so blocking the cat s access to one area will simply encourage him to scratch elsewhere. Inc. How things get done. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy .