Tuesday, March 30, 2010

A good post and training solve clawing problems

Like any companion, a cat may do things we don't like and that get on our nerves. Scratching something it shouldn't is a major irritation for just about everyone. Thing not to do is get angry--this won't help. Instead, you should immediately understand that the cat is scratching something it shouldn't for one of two reasons or combination of the two: 1. The absence of an approved scratching target in its environment; and 2. It hasn't been trained properly.

The solution is to purchase or build a good scratching post and then train your cat or cats to use it. The first part of this is pretty easy and naturally I highly recommend Natural Scratch. Part 2.--training--might seem a daunting challenge but truly isn't that hard if you have a sensible method and follow it.

Check out http://www.naturalscratch.com/nstraining.html to learn more about the easy-to-use training guide that comes with Natural Scratch.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

People Are Way Smarter Than Cats

Cats are great, fun, and pretty darned smart. Over lo these many decades I've seen much evidence of this. From one I had in my youth named Buff who was adept at sticking his paw into a milk glass to get a drink to another named Ursa Major who would entertain us by leaping from a bench on a boathouse over water to a dock several feet away.

However, they are nowhere near as smart as a human of even average intelligence.

The reason I bring this up is to give hope to those whose cats are exhibiting behavior they don't like, mainly clawing things they shouldn't.

As a vastly more intelligent human, you should have no trouble training your cat to do what you want it to do. It's not hard at all. To help you along, Natural Scratch comes with an easy-to-read-and-use training manual. Have a look at naturalscratch.com.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Scratching post testimonials

I always encourage people who are contemplating purchasing or have purchased a Natural Scratch scratching post or two to read the Testimonials page at naturalscratch.com.

This helps them understand the range of reactions cats have to Natural Scratch. Some take to it immediately, others require considerable owner involvement and coaxing. All eventually come to realize that it is something in the home or apartment that they can lay their claws into, with full human approval, for all their scratching needs

Never but never do I sell or promote Natural Scratch as a set-and-forget solution. It isn’t and there is no such thing as far as I know. BUT, it does work without exception if customers follow the method presented in the training guide, consistently and with love and patience.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Natural Scratching Post

Like most people, when I first had a clawed cat and it started scratching the couch, my natural inclination was to provide an alternative that also was upholstered--years ago *carpeted* was the standard. In the cases of the great cats of my youth, this never worked. At the time I didn't know why but now I do.

Primarily it was lack of training and secondarily it was ignorance about the fact that cats deposit scent when they claw something and this is highly attractive to them.

Now I also know that a wood scratching post like Natural Scratch is clearly a more appropriate target for cats because it's certain they don't find carpeting or couches in the wild.

Kittens are particularly fun to watch with Natural Scratch. They race up it like is was a small tree. Climbing leads to clawing and a lifelong affection for Natural Scratch.

Older cats too can be trained relatively easily to claw Natural Scratch exclusively. All it takes is a little time, consistency, love, and a training method that works--the one that accompanies Natural Scratch.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Natural Scratch Catnip and Full Petential Kitty Treats

When I introduced Natural Scratch about 15 years ago, I included kitty treats and catnip with each post. Reason was these inducements are useful in training cats to claw Natural Scratch and nothing else.

I never had good sources for either, however, and ultimately decided to stop packing them with each post.

In recent months I've found a good, local source for catnip and also have discovered a kitty treat--Purr Fish from Full Petential--that all three of our guys love.

Both are available as add-ons to orders for Natural Scratch posts, slabs, and planks. Please have a look at http://www.naturalscratch.com/nscatnip.html.