CAT SCRATCHING Part 2 Solutions to avoid destructive cat scratching.

As it is part of a cat's natural instinct to scratch, it is unlikely that this will ever change. However, you do have control of what your cat does scratch and the impact that the scratching will have on you and your property, including your favorite leather recliner or your new curtains that your feline friend has been eying.

The key to avoiding destructive scratching is to provide your cat with an alternate object to focus their scratching on. Scratching posts and cat towers are popular objects to use www.catsplay.com/scratch_poles.php3 . It is recommend that the new object be placed in close proximity to the old object that you are trying to stop your kitty from scratching. It is important that the old object be made as unappealing for your cat to scratch as possible. You may consider placing double sided tape, aluminum foil or sand paper in the are where your cat likes to scratch. When you see your cat getting ready to scratch the old object, move him next to the new object, such as the scratch post and direct your cat to scratch it. In order to extinguish the old behavior, the intervention must be done on a consistent basis. In the initial stages of teaching the new behavior, you can give your cat a treat after each time he successfully scratches the new object. This is a guaranteed way to accelerate the learning curve. Do not remove the double sided tape from the old object until your cat has mastered scratching the new object on a consistent basis.

Trimming your cat's claws is helpful for curbing scratching in unwanted places. When a cat's claws are short and trim all the time, it minimizes the amount of damage that your cat could cause to you or your furniture. Also, it is just not as pleasurable for the cat. Finally, your cat's claws are less likely to get snagged on the carpet, on your wool sweater or in your skin if they are short.

An innovative product available today is Soft Paws www.softpaws.com/about.html. It is a set of vinyl nail clips that are glued on your cat's existing nails. It does not in any way hamper your cat from scratching. However, it does avoid any damage from the scratching as the nails are protected and covered by Soft Paws.

If this is a problem that your cat has, please try the above interventions. We would be interested in how this works for you, and invite you to email us at californiapaws@yahoo.com. Should you require cat sitting or in-home boarding in San Francisco please visit www.californiapaws.biz for more information.

The Psychology Of A Cat

Cats are mysterious animals, each with a distinct personality and idiosyncrasies all of their own. While cats may be affectionate, they tend to maintain a high degree of independence in when and how they relate to others; whether they chose to seek attention or to remain solitary.

These furry felines use body language almost exclusively to communicate. A cat’s whiskers convey their attitude. When they are angry or in a defensive stance, the whiskers lie flat against the face, where else, they point forward when a cat is feeling friendly and inquisitive.

A cat’s temperament can vary with their specific breed and level of socialization. A cat that was not socialized as a kitten may present as guarded, isolative and exhibit aggressive behaviors towards other cats and strangers. Such behaviors can be addressed using behavior modification plans. California Paws offers consultation services for behavioral problems you may be having with your kitty.

Purring is universally associated with a cat expressing contentment and happiness. However, it can also signify distress, anxiety or severe illness. As you learn to understand your cat, you will notice that it’s "meow” has numerous pitches, each one carrying a different meaning altogether. Some may be commands, others requests or complaints.

The tail also signifies how a cat is feeling. When it’s held high, this is a sign of happiness, a half-raised tail shows less pleasure and unhappiness is indicated when a tail is held low. When the tips of the tail twitches, a cat is usually angry or in hunting mode, while larger twitching means displeasure.

As a general rule, cats sleep more that most animals in order to conserve energy. Cats can sleep up to 20 hours in a 24 hour period. The daily duration of sleep varies, usually 12-16 hours but averages 13-14 daily.

A cat’s sense of smell is 14 times stronger than that of a human, allowing them to smell things you may not even be aware of. It also explains why your cat may run around the house at night prowling.

If you have a cat that is especially active at night, it is recommended to play with your cat for about 2 hours before your bedtime. It is crucial that play occurs at the same time daily. This assists in re-setting your cat’s circadian rhythm. As cats are by nature hunters, all play should include the six elements of hunting. These are Stalk, Run, Pounce, Catch, Kill and Eat. A snack will suffice and alert the cat that the cycle of play is complete. It then can shift focus into grooming and sleeping and this means a good night sleep for you!

California Paws offers expert cat care for you. Whether it is a visit in your home or in-home boarding you have the guarantee that an experienced cat professional will provide the best and most comprehensive care possible. Please visit us at www.californiapaws.biz and learn how we can assist you today. We welcome an email from you at californiapaws@yahoo.com. California Paws provides cat sitting and in-home boarding in the San Francisco area.