How to Keep Cats from Scratching Furnitures
Cats scratch furniture for a variety of reasons, including:
- To mark their territory
- To remove the dead outer layer of their claws
- To stretch and exercise their muscles
- To relieve stress
While scratching is a natural behavior for cats, it can destroy furniture. If you have a cat who scratches your furniture, there are a few things you can do to discourage this behavior.
Provide your cat with plenty of scratching posts. Cats need to scratch, so providing them with plenty of scratching posts is essential. Scratching posts should be tall enough for your cat to stretch out entirely and be covered in a material that your cat likes to rub. Some cats prefer sisal rope, while others prefer carpet or cardboard.
Place scratching posts where your cat likes to spend time, such as near windows, doorways, and the living room. Place a scratching post near the piece of furniture that your cat likes to scratch the most.
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variety of scratching posts for cats
- Make your furniture less appealing to scratch.
If your cat is scratching a particular piece of furniture, you can make it less appealing to scratch by covering it with a material your cat does not like. Some cats dislike the feeling of sticky tape, so that you can cover the area with double-sided tape. Also, cover the area with a piece of vinyl or plastic.
If your cat is scratching a fabric-covered piece of furniture, you can discourage scratching by covering the area with a throw blanket or sheet. You can also try spraying the room with a citrus-scented spray, as cats dislike the smell of citrus.
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Covering furniture with a material that cats do not like
- Trim your cat’s nails regularly.
Trimming your cat’s nails regularly will help reduce the damage they can do to your furniture. You can decorate your cat’s nails yourself or take them to a groomer.
If you are trimming your cat’s nails yourself, be careful not to cut the quick, which is the pink part of the nail that contains blood vessels and nerves. If you accidentally cut the short, it will bleed and hurt.
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Trimming a cat’s nails
- Train your cat to use a scratching post.
If your cat is not using the scratching post you provided, try training them to use it. Start by placing the scratching post in a prominent location in your home. Then, when you see your cat scratching the furniture, gently pick them up and put them in front of the scratching post. Praise your cat when they cross the scratching post.
You can also try using treats to lure your cat to the scratching post. When your cat is scratching the scratching post, give them pleasure. Over time, your cat will learn to associate the scratching post with positive reinforcement.
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Training a cat to use a scratching post
- Be patient and consistent.
It may take time for your cat to learn to stop scratching your furniture. Be patient and consistent with your training; eventually, your cat will learn to use the scratching post instead.
Consult a behaviorist if you have trouble keeping your cat from scratching your furniture. A behaviorist can help you develop a training plan specifically tailored to your cat’s needs.
Additional tips:
- If you have multiple cats, ensure each has its scratching post.
- Place scratching posts in different areas of your home so that your cat has a variety of places to cross.
- If you have a kitten, immediately train them to use a scratching post.
- Be patient and consistent with your training. It may take time for your cat to learn to stop scratching your furniture.
What to avoid:
- Do not punish your cat for scratching the furniture. This will only make them more likely to score.
- Do not declaw your cat. Declawing is a painful and unnecessary procedure that can lead to long-term health problems.
By following these tips, you can help to keep your cat from scratching your furniture.
