Many cat owners have this problem: their feline friend won’t stop scratching the furniture! Such behaviour must be stopped - using food.

Question

Hi Glynne. We live in a flat and our cat never goes outside except for going onto the balcony. We bought her a very nice scratching post, but she insists on scratching the furniture. She will look you straight in the eye and start scratching and you can see she knows she’s not allowed to do it. As soon as you raise your voice, she would charge away like the road runner making funny noises. We try and give her as much attention as we can, but she also doesn’t like to be cuddled and held. This is just one of many behaviour problems with her and we are at our wits end. Could it be that she is in a flat 24/7 although she doesn’t know any better??

Hi Diane
There could be a million reasons for her behaviour, and to find out one would need a detailed case history.
However, I think your cat may have a problem with her food or the way you feed her. Sharpening nails by scratching furniture is preparing for the hunt, which your cat can’t do on the top floor of a flat.
So, set up a 24/7 permanent, self service, carvery of all her favourite food and you’ll find she’ll probably stop sharpening up her weapons on your furniture.

Also do enrich her environment by providing her with something to do all day with her very bright and intelligent brain. Make her cats walks, hide-aways, tunnels and mobile toys … and don’t forget the full tummy so she can get to sleep if she so wishes. Remember you can’t sleep on an empty stomach either.
Glynne