Nothing is more off-putting to a cat than reaching out for a good long “stretch & scratch” only to hit a wobbly surface that could topple any second. Put a Scratching Post in Front of an Item They Like to Scratch. However, since there is a strong territorial aspect to clawing behavior, you should focus on redirecting it in an adult cat as soon as you adopt one. About TheCatSite.com. Jackson Galaxy lists some of the ways to keep everyone happy. Home & Forums | Not only is she not likely to learn how to use the post, you could actually teach her to fear it. … Just be careful that the ingredients you use do not damage your furniture. Cats bury their waste because they want to avoid leaving a scent in that area. While this may seem like an impossible task, … Using tape and sprays in your furniture and place where your cat always scratches are also a way to stop your cat from clawing. When you cat swipes at the toy, she may discover the joy of scratching the post behind it. First and foremost, as we mentioned, you need to recognize that scratching is a necessary behaviour. Your cat knows where she wants to scratch. Experts believe cats scratch surfaces for several reasons: As you can see, this is truly a multi-functional behavior. Hopefully, she’ll return again later for further inspection – and clawing. Our final tip for location is to follow your cat’s instincts. If your cat doesn’t appear to be interested in the scratching post then you might want to consider an option with a dangling toy to encourage them to investigate it or adding some cat nip. Not a… According to Herron, sisal (a coarse natural fiber) scratching posts are ideal because they are satisfying to scratch and tough enough to stand up to repeated use. Here are our top tips for keeping your cat from scratching your furniture. Day 7: … Your … If your cat looks set to scratch, redirect it to the approved area so that it understands. How to Keep a Cat From Scratching Furniture. How Can You Effectively Stop Your Cat from Scratching Furniture? Reasons Why Cats Scratch Furniture. How to stop scratching. Move the toy at the end of the rod near – and eventually on – the scratching area. Use a nail trimmer designed especially for cats, not for humans or dogs, and if you are unsure how to safely trim your cat’s nails, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration. How To Stop Your Cats From Scratching Furniture? Furniture scratching. Your focus should be on making the scratching post super appealing. Since then, we're now in a large home, there are only 3 cats now, and the furniture is leather and wood, which they never bother and rarely even jump on. Once your cat uses the scratchers regularly, then – and only then – can you begin teaching her to avoid other places. Test to see if yours does – and then try a different brand if she doesn’t. Scratching posts should also be stabilized to ensure that they don't move or tip over and scare your cat while she is using them. © 2000-2020 TheCatSite.com. Scratching is a perfectly natural behavior for your cat. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If you have a spray bottle of water, you could try squirting your cat whenever they go near the furniture and start scratching it. JavaScript is disabled. Just be careful that the ingredients you use do not damage your furniture. Sticky Paws are adhesive and stick onto your furniture. What you can – and should – do is provide Kitty with a good scratching post. They glue on easily, last four to six weeks and won't interfere with normal claw retraction. Test Drive the new cat furniture. Cats need to, first of all, exercise the top part of their body. As an alternative, try covering her favorite scratching places with double-sided sticky tape like Sticky Paws. All felines – big and small – do it. Don't point the can near or at your cat, just use it to make a sound that will scare him away from the furniture. That will only upset, confuse and provoke your cat. Herbal sprays can also keep your cat from scratching unwanted areas of your home. Try a larger scratching post. Scratching also enables your cat to mark its territory. And if you have your own tips to share – we’d love to hear all about them! Before you can stop your cat’s unwanted scratching behavior, you have to understand why they do it in the first place. “Cats scratch to leave scent marks that define their territory and tell other cats they have passed through. As mentioned earlier, scratching also offers stress relief. TY!!! Or you could invest in a special product like Sticky Paws that promises to take better care of your furniture. Hopefully, this article helps by giving you ideas on how to get a cat to use the scratching post – and avoid clawing at your furniture and carpets. For example, you can use herbal spray or double-sided tape to some of your furniture to prevent your cat to scratch. Couches, chairs, beds, and other household furniture items are not cheap, and most of us do not have the money to replace them freely. And that’s where you need to offer a large and stable scratching post. Using plastic or Saran wrap on the surfaces can be quite effective, as can double-sided sticky tape. Forming habits is easier when the brain is young and more adaptable. For some cats, this makes the scratching post nearly irresistible. Many new owners make the mistake of shoving a great scratching post in the garage or some other peripheral location. Other solutions to stop cat scratching include adding various ingredients (which cats do not like) to water and spraying on furniture. Providing your cat with alternative surfaces to scratch is the first step to stopping your cat scratching the furniture or carpets. Recognize the cat’s natural need and provide her with a solution in the form of a very good scratching post. They choose trees because trees are large, stable and permanent. A shorter post is likely to be ignored. Don’t rush the process and don’t try to prevent your cat from clawing the furniture before she regularly uses her scratching post. Cats scratching furniture can be a real problem for pet owners. The entire length of the post should be enough for your cat to stretch across in comfort. Make a hissing sound using a can of compressed air (the type used for cleaning computer keyboards or electronics). If possible, move a piece of furniture (or a scratching post) to your cat's favorite carpet spot. If you hate the thought of making your couch all sticky, then spraying with a pet repellent may be a better solution. Even declawed cats scratch. This site uses cookies. There are two things you need to keep in mind here though –. While you can’t stop your cat from scratching, there’s a lot you can do to protect your furniture and redirect your cat’s behavior. Trees. Your cat will have to be patient enough to let you or a veterinarian put them on and trim the nails underneath, however. Some cats will take them off, but many tolerate them. If you also provided her with enough quality scratching posts which she’s already using, it shouldn’t take long before she forgets about the couch. Amazon.com : Anti-scratch Cat Tape for Furniture - Stop Cat from Scratching Couch, Corners of Chair, Door frame, Counter Top and Carpet, Clear Double Sided Tape for Cat Scratching Cat Training Tape 2.5" x 16 Yard : Pet Supplies If your cat responds to catnip, try to sprinkle some dry catnip or spray the scratching post with catnip spray. Not all cats react to scent-based deterrents. Both scratchers should be large and stable – with the only difference being in how the scratching surface is positioned. He finally got them all off eventually! You should leave some space on both ends of the actual scratched area, so opt for a total of 20-30 inches of open scratching surface on your posts. That means cats tend to engage in the behavior when they are excited. Just like a preference in direction, cats also have different tastes when it comes to texture. Cats don’t like to touch a sticky surface (who does?) Rather than expecting your cat to stop scratching entirely, provide them with safe and acceptable places for them to scratch within your home. Does your cat use the carpet instead of the fancy horizontal scratching post? Other solutions to stop cat scratching include adding various ingredients (which cats do not like) to water and spraying on furniture. It is considered to be an act of cruelty and, if the cat goes outdoors, it cannot climb a tree and defend itself. Simply offer both options side by side. Before you consider this radical procedure, speak with your veterinarian about safer alternatives. Keeping your cat’s nails trim is another way to reduce damage from scratching. “Choose a scratching post that is similar to the material your cat most likes to scratch,” said Meghan Herron, DVM and clinical assistant professor of behavioral medicine at Ohio State University. You should never punish your cat – including by not spraying water. In order to stop your cat from scratching leather furniture, provide a feline-approved area with scratching post. It's natural for cats to scratch but typically it destroys your excellent furniture. Given enough scratching, even the strongest sisal rope will eventually give out and peel off. Generally this goes with the territory of sharing your life with furry (or feathered) friends. At that point, you’ll be able to remove the tape. Most cats prefer scratching posts made out of rough material they can shred. 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