Scratching is a natural behavior for cats that causes havoc in  households as these cats destroy furniture and scratch at individuals often while playing. There are are a number of reasons why all cats scratch.

• Marking of territory to identify an area as theirs. As they are scratching at an object, they leave their scent from scent glands found in their paws.

• Conditioning of the claws. Remember the claw's primary purpose is to capture,  kill, and tear the flesh of their prey apart for consumption.

• It feels good. This is debatable, but both cats with and without claws will flex and stretch their forelimbs when going through the motion of scratching.

One of the alternatives to declawing your cat is to train your cat to a scratching post. A good scratching post is tall enough for your cat to fully stretch out their body. The scratching post should also be stable. Your cat should not feel as if her scratching post is going to topple onto her. If the post appears to be unstable even once, the cat will refuse it to use it. As a general rule, cats prefer to scratch on rough objects. The reverse side of a piece of carpet is a very popular scratching surface.

Training your cat

Teaching your cat to use a scratching post is a challege. Forcing your cat to use a scratching post is a waste of time. Everyone knows that you are not able to force a cat to do anything that a cat does not want to do. In fact, a cat will do just the opposite to frustrate you. Discipline does not work with cats at all. However, you can encourage your cat to use a scratching post. Since part of the reasons cats scratch is to mark their territory, the scratching post needs to be out in the open where everyone goes. The cat is going to use this scratching post to tell everyone this is their area. Initially, you should place the post where the cat goes to scratch. If your cat shows a tendency toward your couch or a particular chair, place the scratching post in front of these items. Feed and play with your cat next to the scratching post. Play games around the post such as chasing a string or a toy so it becomes natural to bat and scratch at the post. Multiple scratching posts are often beneficial. Putting a scratching post in the main family area as well as where your cats sleep is a good idea. It is natural for cats to start scratching when they wake up, similar to you stretching when getting up. In fact, if you want to go all the way, a scratching post in all rooms in your house is the best. Catnip, either as a leaf or powder, may be rubbed into the post to encourage the use of the post. If you see your cat using the post, reward her with her favorite treats.

After your cat begins to use the post, especially those posts in unfavorable areas such as in front of the couch, move it gradually to a more favorable area. In order to discourage your cat from using your couch, cover the area with aluminum foil or double-sided tape. These surfaces don't have a texture that feels good to scratch and are a deterent. Since cats have an aversion to citrus odors, the use of lemon-scented sprays or a lemon and orange peel potpourri applied to her former scratching sites makes them less agreeable to her.