If you notice that your cat is still using your furniture as a scratching post, you will need to modify this behavior. One way to do this is to sharply and firmly say 'scratch' as you are redirecting your cat towards the acceptable scratching post. If this does not seem to work, you can use a spray bottle. Putting the bottle on mist, one squirt should do the trick. Your cat should take off running away from the unacceptable location. As soon as he or she goes back to your furniture, again squirt once and firmly say 'scratch' as you are pointing in the appropriate location.

Here are some pointers to consider when choosing or building a scratching device:

The most important part of the construction, though, is strength. If the post is not strong enough to support the weight of at least one cat, it will begin to come apart and will soon be wobbly. Cats will avoid anything that feels unsteady. Also, if a post topples over even once, some cats may never visit it again.

If you insist on using carpeting as a scratching surface, don't be upset when kitty wants to scratch on the carpet in the living room.

Whilst scratching may be a natural cat instinct, using a scratching post is not. When you first get a scratching post you should gently take your pet to the post and taking its front paws show it what is required. The younger the cat is the quicker they will grasp the idea although you may have to repeat this introduction process a few times.

4. Location. If you are trying to keep the cat from destroying a particular piece of furniture, it may work to place the scratching post next to it, to distract them from, say, the sofa, or a table, or even the door jamb. Once they are happily using the new post, try moving it away from the furniture a little bit every day, until it is in another location. Or, if that is not an issue, leave it next to the couch.

Some cats appear intransigent, and refuse to use the cat scratching post. The fact is, you may just need to understand him better. And also use a different way of training him. You have to remember that shortcuts do not always work.

Once you have built or bought the scratching post, you are gong to have to teach your furry friend how to use it. This might seem a little funny, especially if your cat already scratches at your furniture. To show him or her the appropriate place to claw, you will need to do a few things.

The best way for keep your furniture in good condition and free of claw marks from your cat is to provide a scratch post. This will give your furry friend a way to safely mark his or her territory and stretch, without damaging your belongings. Don't be misled into thinking a scratching post needs to be costly.

Cats that spend the majority of their time indoors will need a scratching post. If you visit your local pet store or browse on the Internet you will see a large variety of "scratchers" available. These range from simple carpeted or corded base and post to others that resemble a mini military obstacle course.

1. Shape. If you choose a post, be sure it is tall enough for the cat to reach as far as he can stretch. If you want to "think like a cat," imagine being in the wild, in Nature. Cats scratch on trees, as a rule. They do this to leave claw marks, along with their scent, reaching as high up as they can, presumably to notify others in the area that the cat who made these marks is one big dude, so watch out.

Given this fact, it is better if you only buy cat scratching posts from your local shops - where you can see and feel the material of the post. If it looks or feels different from the furniture which your cat is scratching now, he is unlikely to switch to the new post. This factor makes buying cat furniture online a bit chancy.