This will scent the posts and encourage exploratory clawing. Sprinkle catnip on the post, too. When kitty uses the post, reinforce this behavior with praise, but be careful not to startle or frighten him or her. When the cat claws furniture, discourage this behavior with a firm voice or other loud noise, but never with physical force. Lukewarm water from a squirt gun directed at the back of the animal is often successful.
Soft Paws are soft, vinyl nail caps that are applied to cats' newly trimmed nails.
The nail caps allow cats to scratch naturally, without harming furniture. Each application lasts about four to six weeks. By understanding cat behavior and by using common-sense precautions and behavior modification methods, you can prevent clawing damage without inflicting pain on your feline companion. Riddle, Roz, The City Cat , Charles Scribner Sons, p. 40, 1984. Place for Cats, New York, N.Y., 1993.