My new cat won't use her scratching post. Should I trim her nails?

Hello, sorry to hear about your cat. She is very young still, so managing her scratching and biting will be crucial in this stages of life before she gets bigger and her scratching could become more damaging. Here are some tips you can follow to decrease the incidence of scratching. Hope this helps and best of luck. Why do cats scratch? Scratching is a normal behavior that aids cats in the marking of their territories in the form of scratch marks. Scent glands in their paws leave olfactory clues for other cats to alert them to their presence. Cats also find it pleasurable as a means of exercise and stretching. Scratching also allows cats to keep their claws healthy and shortened. Unlike dogs, a cats’ claws do not exfoliate evenly from the end; rather they peel off in layers like an onion. What is inappropriate scratching? Inappropriate scratching is ultimately determined by the owner, but is generally directed at furniture, screens, carpets and rugs and other items that the cats finds suitable. What can I do to prevent this? The easiest way to prevent severe damage is to trim your cats nails every 2-4 weeks. It is best to begin this process when the cat is very young, as they will become more accustomed to this procedure. However, older cats can learn to tolerate it as well. Another excellent method is to provide them with a suitable scratching substrate. As with nail trimming, this is also best started at an early age before the scratching behavior begins, but older cats will also generally accept such items as carpet or sisal fiber scratching posts or corrugated cardboard. For more options, you can visit your local pet store or make your own from their preferred scratching material and a supporting board of wood. My cat is ignoring the scratching post. How do I get him/her to use it? Place the item in the areas that your cat(s) enjoys scratching. You can entice the cat to use the item by rubbing or sprinkling with catnip. If your cat insists on using the wrong scratching surface, guide your cat to the correct site. Once at the post, you can start petting and scratching your cat while placing their feet on the surface for encouragement and stimulation of the natural kneading motion. Remember to reward your cat for its good behavior!

No health concern here. Some cats just don't prefer to use scratch posts. Just keep in mnid that you will have to get his nails cut more frequently to keep them short, say once every 3-6 weeks, since he isn't filing them down with the scratch post. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Take care.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! That is not something that you can necessarily teach her. She will eventually use it. The one thing you can do though is to keep taking her to it and perhaps show her how to play by simulating playing with it. She may pick up on it but otherwise it will happen with time. Best of luck!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend getting different types of scratching posts- vertical and horizontal ones. I would also look for a product called Feliway in a spray, and spray the posts to attract her to them. Also, maybe adding catnip. I would also trim her nails so she is less likely to rip the carpet. There is a product call Soft Paws that are fake nails for cats that will make it harder for her to rip up the carpet. Lastly, get a squirt bottle to spray her with water when she scratches the carpet. She is young yet, but you should be able to train this behavior out of her. Good luck and kisses to Little One!

Sophie should grow out of this behavior, especially if you ignore her and don't give her an opportunity to bite. Let her come to you when she wants and only pet her on her head and neck for a short time. If you see her tail swishing it's time to stop. They bite more when people pet them on their bellies and around the tail. Cats like affection on their terms! I'm glad she is good with your toddler. Give Sophie her space and she should become more affectionate when she's older. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Sophie.

Congrats on the new cat! Unfortunately, this is going to take some time as a lot of cats can be nervous in new surroundings during the day and tend to feel more comfortable during the night. You can try to some feliway diffusers to help calm her during the day to see if this helps. I would also try to feed her her favorite treats or canned food during the day to get her to come out so you can love on her. With time, she should start to come around. I hope this helps!

Most cats who lived outdoors can easily adapt to become an indoor cat, They may ask to get out in the beginning, but eventually they will settle to stay inside. Check if Midnight is neutered, and if not, then that would be the first thing you will need to have done or he will stink up your apartment. Also take him to a vet for an exam to make sure he is healthy. There is no need to declaw a cat, You can have the vet techs show you how to clip the toe nails. If you provide him with a scratching tree or scratch boxes he should not scratch up your furniture. There are also plastic nail covers that can be glued onto the nails which prevent the cat doing damage. I have 5 cats and none have ever scratched up my furniture and they are not declawed, Cats can be taught to use a scratch box, Put cat nip on it and your kitty will be in heaven.