I am a new cat owner of an approximately eight year old cat who is still in the settling in period and isn't allowed outside yet.
He is absolutely lovely, settling in well, very affectionate and seems happy, but he has started scratching the furniture. He has a scratching post which he also uses. I suspect, but don't know for sure, that he's not scratching the furniture when I'm not in the room, (I can sometimes hear him scratching the post but not the sofa) and I think he's doing it to get my attention - and food. He is crazy about food but I am trying to be strict about how much he has as I really don't want him to get fat. I split up his dry food ration so I can give him three or four meals a day instead of two, which seems okay, but obviously I can't feed him every time he demands it and I don't want him to get the idea that scratching = food.
I think he might be bored, as although he isn't showing much interest in going outside it can't be that interesting for him having to stay indoors. I am playing with him about three times a day for about five minutes each time with a fishing rod toy, and he has some other things he can play with by himself, which he does a little bit. I am spending as much time with him as possible.
Is there anything I can do to stop him without giving in to his food demands? And should I be spending more time playing with him?
I understand that cats can't be controlled, I want to make him as happy as possible but I don't want to spoil him or make a rod for my own back by getting both of us into bad habits. Any advice gratefully received.