I need to curb or change my cat's scratching behavior

[Todd]

My cat, Bam Bam, is appox 11 years old and he has all of his claws.

Recently, he has been fond of sharpening his claws on my leather sofa and a vintage sofa. Now, the obvious remedy to the situation would be to buy a scratching post.

My questions are...when I buy one..is there a method of introducing the post to him?

or..does anyone have other suggestions on curbing his scratching behavior?


Thanks in advance!

[kate & kobi]

A scratching post will help a lot - try putting it near the couch that you don't want him scratching on (or get two, one for each couch). If he doesn't know what to do with it at first, rake your own nails on it and he'll learn quickly to imitate you.

Some cats like different kinds of scratching posts, too; some like the carpet kind, some like the sisal, and some like cardboard (not a post, just a box that lays on the floor). Since the cardboard ones are cheap, I'd get one of those and also a real post - get a nice big one; it should be at least 30" tall so kitty can reach all the way up and get a good stretch.

[davet]

i waslurking on that nutrition and alternat med site and saw this http://www.scatmat.com/

it might help keep the cat off the sofa while she is learning to use the scratching post