It's a fact of life that cats scratch, and it's good for them to do so. But you don't have to live with shredded furniture or ratty-looking walls and flooring. It's easy to teach a cat to use a scratching post as long as you understand what it's looking for in the way of communication, claw conditioning and fulfillment of his need to stretch and exercise.

Scratching is first and foremost a means of communication. Your cat is saying, "I, Purrcy, was here. Look how big I am, and how high up I can scratch."

That's why cats like to scratch in places that will be seen by other cats; think of it as feline "graffiti." Scratching leaves traces of scent, undetectable by people but perceptible to other cats, deposited from glands on the paws.

We don't know exactly what message they're sending, but it's obviously important. So scratching on a post stuck off in a dark corner makes no sense to a cat. It is going to look for an object to scratch that has a much more prominent place in its living area, and that may be the arm of your sofa.

Scratching also keeps claws and paws in shape. It sheds the dead keratin that sheathes the claws, making way for a new covering, and it exercises the muscles in the legs and paws that are so important to a cat's agility. Stretching is a big part of scratching, and we all know how good that feels.

So instead of trying to stop your cat from scratching, encourage it to scratch on objects that are convenient for you and attractive to him.

The best scratching post is tall enough for your cat to extend his body full-length when it scratches. A little 1-footer might be OK for a kitten, but a full-grown cat needs a post that is at least 3 feet high to allow it to perform the stretches that are part of its enjoyment of scratching. The post can be upright or angled, as long as it's an appropriate length.

You also need to think about what's covering the post. Forget carpet! For one thing, cats don't see why the carpet on the post is OK to scratch but not the carpet on the floor.

For another, materials like rope, sisal, hemp and burlap offer a lot more texture and shreddability, making them more pleasurable for the cat to scratch. You want the cat to think that the post, the cat tree and other acceptable scratching items – hemp mats, for instance – are so great that it doesn't even want to scratch anywhere else.

Choose a sturdy post. The fastest way to turn your cat off of using a scratching post is to buy one that falls over while the cat is climbing or scratching on it.

Provide more than one post – and don't hide them away. Remember that cats like to show off their scratching prowess. If your cat is making its mark on a certain piece of furniture or set of drapes, place the scratching post nearby so it'll have a better option for giving his claws a workout. Put one in front of a window so your cat can check out birds and squirrels while it's scratching.

Encourage your cat to use the post by running your fingers up and down it or brushing a feather along the side of it. The motion will attract your cat and entice it to scratch. A little catnip, judiciously placed on top of the post and rubbed into the rope or sisal, may also gain his attention. Spraying the pheromone product Feliway on the object you want scratched really encourages its use, as well.

Be sure to praise your cat or give it a treat every time you see it using the post.

If you do your part and give your cat what it wants, it'll do its part and leave your things alone.

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Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best- selling pet-care books. Email them at petconnection@gmail.com or visit www.petconnection.com. Back columns: www.sacbee.com/spadafori.