How to Stop Cats from Scratching on Furniture
71Scratching is a natural behavior for cats but when they use your antique tapestry wing chair or your expensive carpet it can be frustrating and destructive. Often the pet owner will find that nothing seems to stop the cat's behavior. The furry offender looks at you out of the corner of her eye, gives the furniture a few more shreds and then, as you lunge towards her, leaps away and laughs at you from the top of the china cabinet.
Sound familiar?
Scratching Is Natural Behavior
Cats scratch for several reasons. In the wild cats naturally mark their territory. There are special glands between their toes that leave a unique scent on the surface of whatever they scratch. This effectively puts up a no trespassing sign for other cats in the area. Scratching may be worse if you have more than one cat in your house or if you bring in a new cat at some point.
You can be glad she is not marking her territory with urine.
Another reason cats scratch is to help shed the outer covering of their claws when the time comes. This is why you may find the shell of your pet's claw stuck in the chair she uses the most.
You can't keep a cat from scratching. It is an innate need that all felines, wild and domesticated, have. The best you can hope for is to control where she asserts her feline nature.
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Offer an Alternative
The best way to keep a cat from shredding the furniture and fraying the wall to wall carpet is to offer them an acceptable alternative and make it more appealing than the other possibilities.
Cat Posts, Trees and Other Cool Stuff
Creating an acceptable place for your pet to scratch may be as simple as offering her a scratching post or cat tree to climb.
Cats prefer rough, textured surfaces over smooth ones when it is time for them to scratch. Choose cat trees and posts with heavily textured surfaces:
- Burlap
- Carpet
- Rope
- Sisal
Make sure that if you are getting just a post it is at least 30 inches tall so that the cat can fully stretch her body against it as she scratches. Check that it is stable and firmly placed on the platform.
A cat tree is a bit more cumbersome and may not accentuate your haute décor but it will probably be more readily accepted than just a cat post. A tree is usually several feet high with platforms and toys attached. It allows your cat to climb, observe her domain from on high, and scratch all at the same time.
Although any outer covering placed on either a cat post or cat tree may become shredded and unsightly with time don't replace it. Your cat will resent you forever and go back to shredding your couch.
Rugs
Discontinued carpet samples from your local home improvement store may be perfect for your pet. The cat may prefer one side over the other so try it both ways before you decide it won't work.
Once you have offered your pet an alternative you will need to make her favorite spot uncomfortable while making the alternative enticing. Rubbing cat nip on the new scratching area will help her to make the right decision about where to spend her time.
Stop Your Cats From Scratching
More Great Ideas to Keep Your Cat from Scratching
Materials to Deter Cat Scratching
Scents and textures can attract your pet to the places you want her to scratch or repel her from the places you prefer she stayed away from. Some things cats dislike are:
Aluminum Foil
Cats don't like the noise aluminum foil makes; bubble wrap or cellophane may also work.
Citrus
Cats seem to find the scent of citrus unappealing. Spraying or dabbing orange essential oil or a citrus spray on your furniture may help keep your cat away...but test a spot first to make sure it wont stain.
Double Stick Tape
Double stick tape, attached to the side of the chair or sofa, is not noticeable but your cat will hate the sticky feeling on her feet.
Water Gun or Spray Bottle
If you can catch your pet in the act of vandalizing your furniture you may be able to surprise her with a well placed spray of water.
Have Patience
It will take time to convince your pet that she should do it your way. Generally punishment is ineffective. Don't yell or throw things at her just patiently keep moving her to the cat tree when you catch her in the act.
Fighting against an animal's natural instinct is self defeating. Rather than trying to bully your cat into doing what you want keep offering her a more desirable alternative. Eventually she will get the idea and your furniture will heave a sigh of relief.
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Me, too! Maybe the citrus stuff will work. I have all types of alternatives scratchers that my cats use, but a couple of them still like a certain piece of furniture or the carpet. I'll try citrus! Useful hub--thanks!
They do tend to make a mess of things lol I used to get my cats declawed in the front but after seeing what they have to go though it just seems wrong so these tips are very helpful with the new one I have right now.
Wow, this hub is very informative! I just adopted a cat, and he's begun to claw my favorite chair! I had no idea that the behavior could be territorial. I will definitely try out some of these deterrent methods. Thanks!
GREAT Hub Marye Audet! Mine, all rescues from the wild outside, took a long time to train to be in-door only kitties! Yep, all the things you mention do work ~ I learned the hard way ~ after much trial and error and shredded furniture later! I have also found that clipping their nails every few weeks helps as well! Thanks for sharing! Blessings Always, Earth Angel!
Very informative hub , though i do not have a cat but yes i do have 2 little rabbits and tortoise who has started giving me bit of problems by scratching here and there , and also the nails of tortoise are too strong and a big and thus they almost tore apart my our new carpet. Thanks again
Great tips Marye. The citrus spray tip sounds great. I'll try it on minni maav.
Good info. The key seems to be getting the kitty something else to scratch.
I never knew about glands between the toes. When my sister moved in with her cats, they thought the door frame to the bathroom was their scratching post. At the time, it didn't thrill me to say the least, but that seemed to be their favorite spot.
Very interesting and helpful hub. Liked it!
The spray bottle with water has always done the trick for me. I also have a spray I use on my couches that keeps both the dog and cat away.
Thanks for your tips. I'll have to try the aluminum foil and citrus.
Great tips. I have also found that a can or jar of pennies works great. When you catch your kitty scratching shake the jar really loud. Worked with my guys anyway.
Wonderful hub thanks
Great tips! I've often thought about putting foil on the corners of my furniture, ha. They certainly do hate it. But I think I like the "citrus" idea better. Thanks,
Sharyn
Meisjunk Level 3 Commenter 6 months ago
I've tried and tried to get Prince Fredward to stop mutilating the one couch arm. >.< He is determined to finish the job! I will definitely be trying the citrus scents, and I think it's about time I bought a sturdier post or tree; he doesn't like that his cat post moves or falls over when he plays with it! Great hub. Voted up and useful. =)