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| Training Your Kitten To Use a Scratching Post |
Disclaimer
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 Cats naturally scratch objects to shorten and condition the claws, to mark their territory and to stretch.
A lot of cats that have access to outside find their preferred scratching areas outside on a tree or fence.
Indoor cats need to find something to scratch, and if a substitute is not available, that will most likely be your new sofa!
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Teach your kitten to use a scratching post and to play with toys to redirect this behaviour from your furniture and from you.
Do not use your hands in a game as this encourages your cat to attack your hand, and is difficult behaviour to stop once the cat is fully grown.
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You can also use positive reinforcement in the form of food treats, praise, and a cuddle when your kitten uses the post or plays with its toys.
Food treats are only effective if your kitten is hungry, so you need to have specific mealtimes so you can train and reward your kitten before its next meal.
Use a food that your kitten doesn’t normally receive, such as dried fish, or vegemite, so that it associates its behaviour with a good experience.
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Editor: Dr Julia Adams BVSc
Contributor: Dr Rebecca Bragg BVSc
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