Cats have had a natural instinct to scratch ever since they evolved their sharp claws, to hunt prey and to defend themselves from attackers. Those claws didn't go away when humans started to domesticate cats. Some cat owners consider scratching such a serious problem that they have their cats declawed, but the operation required is very painful for most cats and leads to long-term health complications. The good news is that there are many alternatives to having your cat declawed.

Scratching posts are a very simple way to deal with a cat with a scratching problem. The basic instinct to scratch can be dealt with by having scratching posts cats can utilize to express this instinct. A rough material such as cardboard, sisal or burlap is usually used in the construction and manufacture of scratching posts. The cat scratching instinct is satisfied by scratching on this rough surface at the same time it helps remove from the claw area dead skin and nails.

By using scratching posts, cat behaviors like scratching can be improved easily and inexpensively. The costs for this posts can range from less than ten dollars for a disposable cardboard post to the very extravagant posts that are carpeted and essentially cat furniture. It is a good idea to also provide more than one post per cat due to the cat's instinct to mark their territory by exercising claws throughout the house.

Cats are tempted to scratch furniture and you can discourage this by using things they dislike or find unpleasant. For example, if you are having trouble stopping scratching, you can try two-sided sticky tape which annoys cats quite a bit, or you can cover the at risk surfaces completely with bubble wrap, which they also dislike. With these in place, the cat will usually stop the behavior in a fairly short time, usually around a week, so you won't have to keep things sticky or bubble wrapped forever!

Another idea to try if you are having trouble with a cats behavior is to clip your pet's claws. You may use a special grooming tool available at a pet store, or simply use human fingernail clippers. Gently hold your cat and lightly squeeze his or her paw pads. This will force the claw to come out. Then you can carefully clip off the end of the claw with the clippers. Make sure to cut only a small amount at the end, or it may cause pain to your cat.

If scratching posts and covers have been unsuccessful at changing your cats behavior, then claw covers are another thing to try. Covers are like artificial cat nails, which can be applied by you or by your vet's office. They come in many different styles and are applied by a thin layer of special glue to the claw. Since they are slippery and blunt, your carpet and furniture will be protected from your cat's scratching.

Cats have a natural instinct to scratch, so occasionally cat owners have to deal with problem cat scratching. By using scratching posts cats can let out their need to scratch without wrecking your furniture or drapes. Inexpensive models cost less than ten dollars. You can also try covering parts of your furniture with bubble wrap or double-sided tape. Your cat will dislike the texture and in a few weeks, stop scratching. Other ideas to curb your cats behavior are clipping your cat's claws (but only a little!) or buying claw covers. A dab of adhesive keeps these blunt covers on a cat's claws to save carpet and furniture.