By Paulette Keller, SPCA volunteer 
Published Friday, July 18, 2008 5:44 PM

My cat, Gigi, shredded my old couch. How do I protect my new couch and everything else? Matt F., Largo 

Sometimes our feline friends see the great indoors as their personal scratching post.  Cats must sharpen their claws for balance, grooming and protection. When this normal feline behavior becomes frustrating to owners, it is time to redirect kitty to a more appropriate location.

 Why do cats scratch?

It stretches and exercises their muscles, while removing old nail sheaths. And it feels good!

Redirect — how?

Observe your cat. Where is she scratching? What materials attract her? Think about preventative maintenance. Regular nail trimming will also reduce scratching.

Scratching post basics

Some cats are tempted to scratch on vertical surfaces — chair legs, drapes and couches. Cats are natural climbers. In the wild, they prefer to scale trees; the rough tree trunks provide traction. Unfortunately, a tree stump is not a popular interior design choice. When selecting a scratching post, seek a mix of carpet and rope cord, taller than the full cat body length so kitty gets a full stretch. And sturdy — if it tips over she may never try it again! Multi-tier scratching towers with perches give a safe haven for unsure felines in multi-cat households.

Location! Out of sight, out of the cat's mind. Place the post in the feline's favorite napping spot. Entice kitty there with a toy or teaser wand. Feed them on the perch. Discourage the old site(s) with pet odor removers or a material cover cat's don't like, such as plastic or foil. It is never too late or too early to introduce a scratching post in your cat's life. 

Finally, never punish. Negative attention does little to prevent this behavior.

Paulette Keller is a SPCA Tampa Bay volunteer. To submit a question, e-mail northpin@sptimes.com or mail to 710 Court Street, Clearwater, FL, 33756. Photos will be used as space allows.