How to get your cat to stop scratching the furniture

 

Cats are wonderful pets, but they do have a few habits that can be annoying. One of the most common is scratching furniture. If you have a cat, you know what I'm talking about: you come home to find your furniture covered in white, fluffy claw marks. It's not very nice to look at and it's even less fun when your cat scratches the couch while you're watching Netflix on it! Luckily, there are some simple ways to stop your cat from scratching your stuff so that both of your lives can be easier and happier.

In this post I will explore some of the reasons why cats scratch things (and why we sometimes encourage them), as well as cover some strategies for getting kitty off her claws so that both of you can enjoy life more fully together!

 

Identify the reasons your cat is scratching furniture.

If your cat is scratching furniture, there's a good chance that she's not doing so just because she wants to. Cats don't scratch for the sake of scratching or pleasure—they do it to mark their territory, relieve stress and anxiety, distract themselves from boredom or loneliness, and even maintain healthy claws. So if your cat is scratching up your couch armrests every morning at 8 a.m., it's important to figure out why she's doing so before taking any steps in correcting her behavior (and stop calling her "bad").

Here are some common reasons why cats scratch:

• They're marking territory. Cats have a strong sense of smell (they can detect over 100 different odors), and they use their paws as a way of leaving behind scents when they rub against objects like furniture or carpeting. This can be annoying if you've already vacuumed up all the cat hair around your house! But not only does this behavior prevent other cats from invading each other's territories; it also helps create familiar smells around areas where they spend most of their time (like on top of our coffee table). If you notice that your pet has started scratching more than usual lately...this could be why!

 

• They're bored/lonely/tired/stressed out/etcetera—and need something else fun to do besides sitting still all day long while staring into space while we're away at work all day long every weekday without fail Monday through Friday morning until 5pm when we get back home again every evening except weekends since then we'll still be working instead having time off from work so there would never really be any reason for us ever needing days off unless maybe we got sick but even then doctors don't prescribe being sick unless it gets too bad where maybe now might be one such day...

 

Try to find solutions to the scratching behavior that don't involve punishment.

The first step is to make sure you’re not only confusing the issue, but that you’re not inadvertently punishing your cat for scratching in an effort to get them to stop. This is important because punishment will only make things worse. Your cat may associate the yelp and the “no!” with the furniture they love so dearly, so they will continue to scratch it out of spite or because they think you are rewarding their behavior by yelling at them or slapping them on the nose.

Try to figure out what it is about this particular piece of furniture that draws your cat's attention in such a positive way. Is there something about its texture? The sound it makes when your cat scratches? If it turns out that there are other items around that hold similar qualities as this one piece of furniture does (i.e., something soft and durable), then maybe those objects could act as substitutes for when your cat needs some stress relief.

 

Make changes to your cat's environment and lifestyle that may help stop the scratching.

The following methods might help your cat to stop scratching the furniture:

• Make sure your cat has plenty of toys and scratching posts.
• Make sure your cat has enough space to run around.
• Keep the cat's nails trimmed regularly.
• Make sure your cat is getting enough exercise and playtime with you (and other cats, if there are any) each day so that he doesn't use the furniture as an outlet for pent-up energy or frustration.

 

If punishment is necessary, find a consistent and effective method.

Punishment is a controversial method of training, and many cat experts are opposed to it. If you choose to use punishment with your cat, there are several things you should keep in mind:

• The punishment should be consistent and effective:
• Use a water spray bottle or another loud noise to startle the cat when it scratches the furniture. Don't overdo this—if you use the same sound repeatedly, your cat will eventually become desensitized and no longer understand why it is being punished for scratching the furniture.
• Don't use an electric shock collar or other type of physical punishment; these methods are unnecessarily cruel (and ineffective).

 

Give them a scratching post.

Here's something that might surprise you: your cat doesn't want to scratch furniture. They really don't. It's not their fault, either; cats are just built to scratch. Your cat might be scratching because they're bored or annoyed by something in your house, but even if that happens, it doesn't mean that they want to ruin your furniture and carpets.

The best way to keep them from ruining the things you love is by giving them something else to do with their claws! Scratching posts give cats a more satisfying outlet for their natural instincts than scratching furniture does—and since cats prefer tall and sturdy posts over short little ones (which can topple over), finding the right kind of post won't be hard at all!

When shopping for a new post for your kitty friend, look for one made from wood or carpeted cardboard with corrugated paper hanging off the sides (this helps them get a good grip). Make sure it's tall enough so they can stretch fully when using it but still sturdy enough so as not fall down even when pushed over by an excited feline (a good rule of thumb here is six times taller than his length).

 

Dangle and move catnip toys on the furniture to divert attention away from the furniture.

If your cat's claws are more of a "scratch" than a "scratch," consider trying to divert their attention away from the furniture. Catnip toys are fun for them and more importantly, they're great at diverting their attention away from the furniture. If you're not sure how to use catnip toys, there are plenty of tutorials out there on YouTube (or just search "catnip toy tutorial"). Another possibility is to teach your cat positive habits by rewarding good behavior with treats or even just praise. You could also try playing games like fetch or hide-and-seek with them so that they learn how much better it feels when they interact with objects other than your furniture!

 

Place aluminum foil, double-sided sticky tape or plastic carpet protector with spikes on furniture.

Aluminum foil, double-sided sticky tape and plastic carpet protector with spikes can also be effective. The cat will not like the feel of aluminum foil on its paws, so it will avoid scratching or biting the furniture.

Double-sided sticky tape is another option that sticks to your furniture but not to your pet's feet. Make sure you select a type that won't harm your cat if it gets stuck there for too long!

Plastic carpet protector with spikes is a good option if you have hardwood floors or other types of flooring in addition to carpets in your home. This kind of product works by creating an unpleasant sensation on its paws when walking across it--so much so that cats may not even want to walk through the area again!

 

Keep your cat's nails trimmed.

The easiest way to keep your cat's nails trimmed is to schedule regular visits with a groomer, who will trim your cat's nails for you. If you're uncomfortable doing that, or if you have other people living in the house and might not be able to keep up with all of their appointments, then you can buy clippers yourself at any pet store.

The trickiest part of nail trimming is getting your cat used to the process. Some cats will accept it right away; others may take weeks (or even months) before they come around. You'll know your cat has accepted the idea when they don't try to run away as soon as they see the clippers coming out of their drawer. If this doesn't work right away, start by giving them treats every time you clip off one or two of their nails—this will teach them that being handled by humans isn't always a bad thing!

You should only clip off about half an inch from each nail at first—if there's still too much tension on them after six months or so (when most adult cats have gotten used to having their feet touched), then go ahead and cut more off after talking with a vet about how much would be safe for your particular kitty.[/caption]

It's important that these sessions are enjoyable for everyone involved; otherwise, it can lead down a dark path where no one wants anything to do with each other again!

 

Spray furniture with citrus spray or cologne.

You can also spray citrus-scented products on your furniture. The smell will be unpleasant for your cat, much like you wouldn't want to sit in the same room with a handful of onions.

If this is something that interests you, there are tons of options available online and at pet stores. Just be sure to test the product out on an inconspicuous spot first before using it around your couch or bed frame.

 

Give your cat an alternative place to scratch, such as a carpeted post or scratching board.

If your cat is scratching the furniture, give him or her a place to scratch that's not your couch. You can buy a carpeted post or board at pet stores, or you can make one yourself by attaching carpeting to an old ladder. Some cats also like tall posts that they can stretch their back legs on while they scratch.

If your cat prefers the fabric of your furniture to these alternatives, try covering it with cedar shavings or some other scent that cats don't like (see Cat Scratching Solutions).

 

Takeaway:

As you can see, cats need to scratch. They have long claws that need to be kept sharp and healthy, so they will continue to be useful in the wild. If you've tried everything and your cat is still scratching up your furniture, consider that you may have not found their favorite scratching spot. Once you find where they like to scratch, try redirecting them there instead of just getting mad at them for doing what comes naturally!

If it's too late for this method or if it doesn't work, try making some changes around the house that will deter your cat from scratching as much. For example:

• Move all of their favorite toys into a different room (and make sure there aren't any other toys in the way)
• Block off areas where they would normally want to sit (or build an outdoor cat fence)
• Get rid of rugs in favor of hardwood floors

 

Conclusion

Cats can be a lot of work, but they make great companions. If you have a cat that is scratching your furniture and you're tired of it, there are many ways to stop this destructive behavior. You'll need to identify the reason for why your cat is doing it in the first place before fixing any problems though so that's important! It can take some time but eventually you will find what works best for both parties involved: human being or feline friend?