Introduction
Cats are naturally curious, playful creatures. They like to pounce on things and climb up high places. It’s in their nature to be active! But when we bring them into our homes, sometimes this behavior can be a problem for us humans: especially if there are small children (or adults) around who might get scratched or hurt by these little claws!
Assess the situation.
Knowing your cat’s personality is the first step to training your cat not to use claws when playing.
A cat who likes to play with toys or chase string, for example, may be easily distracted by a feather wand toy or laser pointer. Cats who are more docile and laid back can be enticed by interactive play with their owners. If you know what your cat’s favorite toys and treats are, you’ll have an edge in training them not to claw because they will be much more interested in what you’re offering than they are in destroying furniture.
If your cats like a certain type of food or treat more than others (for example: tuna), then it may work well as a reward during training sessions since they would much rather have that than anything else on hand!
Stop your cat from jumping on you.
If you let your cat jump on people and things, he will continue to do so. Instead, teach him that jumping is not the best way to get attention from humans.
- Don’t allow your cat to jump on you or any other people in the house. If he tries, distract him with a toy or treat and then praise him when he settles down next to you instead of jumping on top of you again.
- Don’t allow your cat to jump up onto furniture or counters where food is stored, especially if it’s breakable glassware or ceramic dishes—this could be dangerous for both cats and humans alike!
Play with your cat.
Essentially, the key to successful training is to make sure that your cat gets the right amount of exercise. Cats love playing with their owners and this is the best way to show them that they are in charge. It’s also good for them physically because it keeps them fit and healthy, while helping them keep their claws sharp. If you play with your cat regularly, then they’re less likely to scratch up your furniture or whatever else may be around (or even other people).
Reward good behavior.
If your cat begins to scratch you, reward her with treats and praise. This will encourage her to keep scratching in a safe way. If you give in and allow the cat to get away with bad behavior, she might think that it’s OK for her to scratch or bite when she wants attention from you.
If your cat claws at or bites you on purpose, don’t reward this behavior by giving food or petting as rewards for it. Instead, ignore the unwanted behavior entirely until it stops completely before rewarding good habits again!
Go slow.
This is a multi-step process that requires patience and consistency. Don’t expect your cat to change their behavior overnight—it will take time for them to learn the new rules of playtime, so set aside as much time as you can each day for this training exercise. If you feel like things are getting out of hand and your cat is getting frustrated or angry, stop playing and try again another time.
Never punish your cat for using claws when playing! This includes yelling at them or rubbing their face in whatever they’ve done wrong (which can actually be dangerous). It’s also important not to give up during this process; no matter how long it takes, cats will eventually learn not to use their claws on humans while playing if they’re consistently exposed to gentle handling during playtime sessions
Use treats and toys to distract your cat from using claws.
One way to train a cat not to use claws when playing is to use treats and toys. When you are playing with your cat, try using treats as a distraction from clawing you. You can also use toys that make noise and have feathers or strings on them. Your goal should be to get your cat used to playing with toys instead of clawing at you during playtime, which will also improve their chances of being adopted by new owners down the road.
If possible, try using both treats and toys at the same time when training your kitty how not to scratch you while playing. This may seem like an obvious step, but it’s important for many reasons:
- It gives your cat more things that stimulate his natural instinct for hunting prey (the treat) while keeping him entertained with something fun (the toy).
- It helps keep both humans safe from injury by encouraging your pet’s natural behavior towards other living things without causing harm towards others around him!
Try toy mice, feathers or other attachments to your cat’s toys.
To prevent your cat from using her claws when playing, try toy mice, feathers or other attachments to your cat’s toys. Catnip toys are a great way to get your cat excited about playing with you and keep her entertained for longer periods of time. Toys that are soft or have a rattle inside can be good for the same reason as well. Some good examples would be balls on strings, balls on sticks and wand toys (like those sold by Petco).
When a cat is going to use its claws, it will generally stop moving and arch its back. When this happens, remove the toy and say ‘no.’
When a cat is going to use its claws, it will generally stop moving and arch its back. When this happens, remove the toy and say ‘no.’ Don’t let them get away with this behavior – they will try to do it again as soon as they can!
Do not let them get away with this behavior – they will try to do it again as soon as they can!
If you let your cat get away with this behavior, they will try it again as soon as they can. If you are not home, they may scratch furniture and other items on which you do not want them to scratch. In addition, if this behavior is allowed to continue it will become a habit for them and likely occur more frequently.
Never smack or hit your cat! This will only make them more aggressive and teach them that aggression is an acceptable way of communicating with people.
After removing the toy, put it away for a bit so that your cat cannot get hold of it again right away.
After removing the toy, put it away for a bit so that your cat cannot get hold of it again right away. This will give your cat time to practice using its paws appropriately when playing with you instead of using its claws.
Never smack or hit your cat! This will only make them more aggressive, and they will learn this behavior from you!
To provide a safe space for your cat to play, you may want to invest in a scratching post.
You can also place toys and blankets around the house to give your cat an opportunity to scratch without damaging furniture or walls. You should avoid placing any objects on top of tables, especially for cats that are prone to jumping up on furniture. If you have trouble getting your cat off of something he shouldn’t be on top of, try distracting him with a toy or treat so he’ll come down willingly.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, it all boils down to communication. Cats will not know how you feel about their behavior if you do not tell them. If they are too aggressive , then tell them it is time for a break and put away their toys. If they are being gentle, then reward them with treats or affectionate words!
