Scratch-Proof Your Furniture

Is your cat a chronic furniture scratcher? Before you take the drastic step of declawing her, try to find a post that will be as appealing to her as your sofa is. Provide a unit that doesn't wobble and is tall enough that she can't reach the top when she's standing on her hind legs. Texture is also key: Fabric, sisal, burlap, corrugated cardboard, and cork have the "give" that allows the cat to leave her mark. Position the post prominently; you can move it later, after she bonds with it. And if you have more than one cat, get a scratching post for each.