Whatever the form of punishment, it must be used continuously until your cat has chosen an appropriate scratching location. Your cat must be given no opportunity to return to the previously scratched area unless punishment can be administered. Everything should remain the same for about a month. Then, you can slowly move the post to a more convenient location and begin to reduce the areas covered by foil or plastic. The post should be moved only a few inches each day.
Many people minimize a scratching problem by clipping their cat's claws.
Although this does not reduce the frequency of scratching, less damage is done. Most veterinarians also carry a product called Soft Paws TM, which consists of a set of tiny gloves you glue onto each individual claw. They last approximately six weeks. Although controversial, declawing and tendonotomy are effective methods of eliminating household clawing. Surgery should not be performed unnecessarily, however, because it subjects cats to postsurgical discomfort and the risks and stresses, although minimal, of anesthesia, surgery, and hospitalization.