Do not ignore your cat when you are mad at it, cats do not understand this behaviour and will feel insecure. Your cat will not know from the start that it has to use a scratch post to sharpen its claws. You need to teach it to do so. If your cat beings to attack the furniture, clearly say NO . Then take the cat to the scratching post and put its paws on it. It will depend on you throughout its life around 15 years with proper care so properly budget for visits to the vets and other costs before making a decision to get a cat. You have to budget for cat food, cat litter and scoops and other accessories to make the cat s life comfortable at your home. Kitten or adult? Although your cat is not likely to be pouncing on their dinner anymore, they still instinctively need to sharpen their claws and that is exactly what they are doing on your furniture. The scratching that they do is a way of trimming their nails and it removes the old outer part of the claws. Another reason they are ruining your home is because they know it to be their territory. Use soft, gentle strokes while brushing. This should make them purr in pleasure and you will have an easier job of grooming your pet cat. After brushing the coat with a comb, you can finish the job by wiping the fur with a dry, soft and clean piece of cloth. This should maintain the shine on your cat s coat. These are the ideal places for fleas to hide including the ears, eyes and the nose. And, they like to burrow in the creases where the cat s legs and body meet. When combing your pet, if you find a flea you know they are throughout his body. But, if you end up with a few black or brown specks, this too is a sign that they are hiding somewhere on the pet s body. Pick one that is suitable for both you and your cat and remember you will need a place to store it when it is not in use. A good cat carrier should be both safe and comfortable for your cat, it should have enough room inside for a fully grown cat to have some freedom of movement, and your cat should be able to both stand up and turn around in side its cage.