Cat Views

Lesson #6: Start ‘m Young

If you have the opportunity, start your cat at a young age to train them to scratch appropriate surfaces. Their natural “play” instinct provides a great chance to help them learn what you want them to scratch. Hang some toys from a vertical scratching surface. Once they start to play with them, they’ll likely go after their “pray” with their claws, inadvertently digging into the scratch post discovering the sensual pleasure they’ll get scratching. If you have a cat that likes to knead, try placing the cat scratching surface horizontally, petting them to initiate kneading. Kneading stimulates a cat to extend & contract their claws. While engaged, hopefully they’ll find their new scratching habitat is much more desirable than your favorite upholstered lounge chair.

Last month while driving through Hatch New Mexico, I saw along the street outside an import store a large, interesting iron statue of a horse with rider. Normally, I’m not a much of shopper but needing a little break from driving I decided to stop. The store was filled with an odd collection of Mexican imports; mostly home decorative items. I buzzed it in typical fashion seeing stuff of no particular interest other than a hand-craved wooden Don Quixote leaning against the wall partially hidden by other items. Once home ole’ DQ was welcomed by my cat, Doofie who thought I bought her a new sisal scratch post. Fortunately once the novelty wore off, Doofie decided the sisal scratcher on her cat furniture was a lot more appealing.

Last month while driving through Hatch New Mexico, I saw along the street outside an import store a large, interesting iron statue of a horse with rider. Normally, I’m not a much of shopper but needing a little break from driving I decided to stop. The store was filled with an odd collection of Mexican imports; mostly home decorative items. I buzzed it in typical fashion seeing stuff of no particular interest other than a hand-craved wooden Don Quixote leaning against the wall partially hidden by other items. Once home ole’ DQ was welcomed by my cat, Doofie who thought I bought her a new sisal scratch post. Fortunately once the novelty wore off, Doofie decided the sisal scratcher on her cat furniture was a lot more appealing.