Watching your kitten scale their climbing tower like it’s their very own Everest is one of the joys of kitten parenthood. But watching them sink their claws into your sofa, bed frame, curtains and even your leg? Not so much.

Although you’ll never train a kitten not to climb (it’s a natural, instinctive behaviour), you can help them learn where they can safely climb and where they can’t.

Climbing is natural cat behaviour. Like all young creatures, they’ve got a desire to explore their world and climbing is one way of doing this. But it’s also part of their instincts. In the wild, cats climb trees and jump and leap long distances as they move through their territory, dodge danger and find food. Getting up high gives cats a better chance of spotting their prey, while also giving them protection from whatever’s hunting them. Cats’ bodies are made to climb and to make use of vertical, as well as horizontal, space.

It doesn’t matter whether they’re wild outdoor cats or domesticated indoor cats, all cats, especially kittens, want to climb. To protect your furniture (and your legs!), the key is rewarding good behaviour and ignoring unwanted behaviour. Over time, your kitten will learn that there are spaces that are ok to jump and climb on, and consequences when they try to flex their climbing skills elsewhere.

You’ll never stop a kitten or cat from climbing, it’s completely natural, instinctive behaviour. In fact, kittens need a safe place to climb, hide and play where you won’t have to worry about damage. That’s why you should create a kitten climbing zone, and an ideal solution is a cat scratcher or tower. These sturdy carpeted structures let your kitten climb and jump to their heart’s content. Climbing steps are also a good choice to help you create a high perch for your kitten to sit on, or you can DIY it by taping together some strong boxes, with holes cut out for exploring.

Here are other tips for creating your kitten’s climbing area:

• • • Put their climbing structure in the corner of a room. Corners make kittens and cats feel safe as they’re protected on most sides.
    • Pop their climbing structure in a room you’re often in and near a place you sit. Keeping their climbing structure near you will encourage your kitten to use it as they know they’ll have your attention as they show off their acrobatics.
    • Try rubbing it with some catnip and hide some treats throughout it to tempt and reward your kitten for exploring and enjoying it.
    • Use other toys on it, like wand toys or drag string along it. Moving objects are impossible for kittens to resist playing with!
    • Let them play and explore with no interruptions from you. Whether they want to scratch it, hide in it, or sleep cuddled up in it, leave them alone so that it becomes a safe spot for them.

If your kitten ignores the climbing zone you’ve made and instead prefers to scale the furniture, it’s important to make a clear plan which the whole family gets behind. Consistent repetition is your friend when it comes to stopping your kitten climbing.

1. Move them away from what they’re climbing (repeatedly)

Spotted your kitten climbing something they shouldn’t? Gently move them. Be prepared to do this a lot (think 15 to 25 times, sometimes in a row). Try not to tell them off or startle them. But also try not to cuddle them as you move them, as that rewards them with attention. Moving your kitten helps them learn that the consequence of them climbing something they shouldn’t is being moved elsewhere, which will quickly become boring and unappealing.

Simply walk towards them (don’t look directly at them - that’s attention again), gently pick them up and put them in their climbing zone or on the floor. Stay calm and quiet and help them learn that climbing won’t result in staying there. Repeat as many times as necessary - this is when it’s handy to rope the whole family in to lend a hand.

2. Think about their reasons

If your kitten climbs the same thing again and again, think about what’s appealing about that spot. There’s probably a reason why they keep going back there. Is it soft and comfy? Is it near you? Is tasty food nearby? Is it away from other pets or children? Is it fun to play with? Are they just bored?

Try to identify the reason why they keep going back and address it in their climbing zone. You could add soft fluffy blankets, move it closer to you, hide delicious treats on it, or add extra height for security away from other pets and people, for example.

3. Problem solve

Sometimes, you can’t change things about the spot your kitten is climbing. Like when they climb up the kitchen cabinets as you’re making dinner. Get creative with your problem solving. You can’t move the kitchen cabinets but you can have a family member play with them or distract them with treats or you can close the kitchen door when dinner prep is happening.

Other ways to avoid the problem might be having a play session and then giving them their dinner before starting yours. That way they’re tired and fed and your dinner won’t seem so appealing. It’s also a good idea to not leave out any attractive food anywhere they could climb to reach, like the dining table. Avoiding these kinds of issues when they’re still a kitten will stop them forming habits you don’t want as they grow up.

We hope this guide helps your miniature mountaineer steer clear of your favourite furniture during their climbing escapades! If you need any further help or have a question we haven’t answered, contact our friendly Pet Direct Customer Care team on 0800 200 240 or email support@petdirect.co.nz.