Problem: Article: Set up your work space in a well-ventilated area and ensure that there's no smoking or open flames around.  Consider wearing a half-face respirator with an organic-vapor cartridge if the ventilation is poor. Wash the floor with your usual wood floor cleanser. Once it's completely clean, use a microfiber cloth to dry the floor. If you have a dehumidifier, run it until the humidity in the room is below 50%. The temperature in the room should be between 60 °F (16 °C) and 75 °F (24 °C). . If you're only finishing a small area such as a door or board, use a sanding block or sand paper. If you're finishing an entire floor, use a drum or band sander. Either way, sand away old varnishes or lacquers using a very rough or medium grit (40 to 60). Then, move to a medium or fine grit (100 to 120) for light sanding. If the wood doesn't have old finishes to remove, you can use a medium grit (around 80). , dents, or holes with wood filler. Wipe away any dust from sanding and check the entire surface of the wood for small cracks, dents, or holes that need to be filled. Spread a wood filler or putty in over the spaces and let it dry for a few hours or according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the wood filler has hardened completely, take medium or fine grit (100 to 120) sandpaper and rub it over the surface of the wood. This will ensure that there aren't any bumps on the prepared wood. Use the soft-brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to suck up the dust from your prepared wood. Ensure that you don't scratch the wood as you run the attachment over it.
Summary: Prepare your work space. Clean and dry the wood floor. Sand away old varnishes or lacquers Fill any cracks Sand the filled surface. Vacuum up all dust from the wood.

Problem: Article: Since part of the reason for scratching is to sharpen and even shorten claw growth, you can help out with a regular, careful trim of your cat's claws.  If you don't know how to clip a cat's claws, ask your vet to show you how to do this the first time, as it is easy to hurt the cat badly if you don't what you're doing.  A cat that is not used to claw clipping can be a little bothered by it initially but you need to persevere until they are comfortable with it. Again, praise your cat while your are trimming their claws so that they know you are caring. It is useful to "blunt" the tips of the claws of an indoor cat that never has access to outdoor trees. You can do this with toenail clippers (never use claw clippers made for dogs) but you must know the correct cutting line to avoid injuring the cat. Ask your veterinarian or a groomer to show you this for the first time. “Soft Paws” glued to your cat’s nails will prevent the cat from damaging surfaces because the cap covers the sharp nail. You can glue these on yourself, or have your veterinarian do it for you. These caps will eventually fall off in three to six weeks and need to be reapplied. If your cat is already able to go in and out of the house, it is highly likely that they have found themselves a tree or two to scratch on. Encourage this (unless it's harming the tree) and continue to let them have appropriate outside time, as using nature for a scratching post will definitely reduce their desire to use your furniture as one. Declawing can be a quick and easy way to prevent furniture damage, however, it is a surgery, and like all medical procedures, comes with risks.  While it is still legal to declaw a cat in most (but not all) cities in the United States and Canada, there are some ethical considerations. Declawing is considered to be an act of cruelty, and is thus illegal in Europe and other countries. A significant proportion of cats having undergone declawing refuse to use the cat litter, develop aggressive behaviour (mainly biting and hissing), and show signs of intense stress and fear. It also makes them more vulnerable to predators, and does not allow them to stretch properly. Do your research and make sure that you understand all that you need to know in order to make the decision to amputate the ends of your cat’s toes.  The declawing procedure involves amputating the digit at the last joint of your cat’s front paws. Talk to your veterinarian if you think declawing is your choice. Some cats do fine but others suffer from chronic pain and, later, arthritis.  Note that if you have a cat that goes outdoors, declawing their front paws may affect their ability to climb and defend themselves.  Check the adoption or purchase contract for your cat. Some rescue groups and adoption agencies have “do not declaw” clauses in the contract you signed to allow your cat to live in your home.
Summary:
Keep your cat's claws neatly trimmed. Use plastic caps to cover your cat’s nails. Allow your cat some outside time where possible. Consider the downsides and alternatives to declawing your cat before having it done.