We understand how you feel when you discover a fresh set of claw marks left by your cat on your furniture. It can be frustrating, to put it mildly. Cats enjoy scratching. They scratch when playing. While stretching, they scratch. They scratch in order to mark their territory. However, this scratching should not cause furniture damage. So, how to stop cats from scratching furniture?
You should teach your cat where and what she can scratch rather than trying to stop her from scratching. Scratching posts are a “legal” option and can be placed next to the offensive items. Or, to conserve furnishings, place plastic, double-sided tape, sandpaper, or an inverted vinyl carpet runner on the floor or furniture.
There are some other ways to stop your cat from scratching furniture. Let’s get to know them in detail.
Is there a way to stop cats from scratching furniture?
Cats have a natural urge to scratch, and this is good for their mental and physical health, but you no longer want them to scratch up your furniture and other valuables. As a result, you may stop your cat from scratching your furniture and saving your valuables through a variety of methods. Here are all the methods you can use.
How to stop cats from scratching furniture?
When your beloved feline scratches, she’s only herself. But it’s not amusing if they decide to leave their mark on your sofa, curtains, or carpet. The following are tried and true methods for discouraging your cat from damaging your belongings.
1) Provide Them With An Alternative
Cats enjoy scratching because their claws enjoy the sensation. Therefore, one strategy to deter cats from scratching furniture is to give them an abundance of alternative surfaces to scratch.
Cats must scratch, so provide them with acceptable scratching material. Cat trees and scratching posts are excellent possibilities, but you may also use cardboard boxes, rolled-up towels or blankets, or even a carpet square.
2) Train Your Cat
Your cat is less prone to develop negative behaviors if you begin training them where proper scratching areas are while they are still kittens. Your kitty buddy needs appropriate alternatives to scratching furniture, such as scratching poles, pads, etc. You should experiment with different materials to see which ones your cat prefers.
3) Use Cat Toys To Divert Her Mind
Utilize catnip or cat toys to lure your cat to her scratching post. Additionally, cat snacks can be used to promote desirable behavior. To get your cat to investigate the scratching post, dangle the toys over it or put catnip straight onto it.
4) Cover The Scratching Place
Use double-sided tape to cover the places where your cat likes to scratch. Sticky surfaces bother cats, so they usually stay away from them. Sticky Paws is one of these products, and it works well to stop your cat from being obsessed with your sofa.
Put plastic, double-sided tape, sandpaper, or an upside-down vinyl carpet runner with the knobs facing up on the floor or furniture where your cat likes to scratch.
5) Try Socks or Nail Caps
As an alternative to declawing, cat socks (called mittens) that prevent scratching are available. If your cat is frustrated by the socks and continues removing them, try soft nail caps that adhere to the cat’s claws. These will minimize the damage if your cat decides to scratch inappropriate surfaces.
6) Make A Spray
Make a spray that will deter your cat without harming it. Using a spray bottle, mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and spray it on the areas your cat is clawing at.
Even more so than humans, cats despise the smell of citrus. Therefore, lemon juice combined with a liter of water, orange essential oil, and eucalyptus oil in a spray bottle would be an effective method of disinfection.
7) Trim Your Cat’s Nails
Nail trimming is an effective method for preventing cats from damaging furniture. You can use a pair of pet nail trimmers to do it yourself or take your pet to a groomer or veterinarian to have their nails trimmed professionally. A cat’s nail clipping schedule should be tailored to your feline’s individual scratching habits.
8) Change Your Cat’s Behavior
Startling your cat with clapping your hands or a jet of water may deter him from clawing something he shouldn’t. Only resort to this method if nothing else has worked, as your cat may associate you with the frightening experience (clapping or squirting) and start to fear you.
How to stop cats from scratching leather furniture?
You may prevent your cat from scratching leather furniture by concealing attractive objects. For example, place plastic, double-sided adhesive tape, sandpaper, or an inverted vinyl carpet runner (knobby parts facing up) on furniture or the floor where your cat stands to scratch your furniture. Or, place scratching posts as “legal” alternatives next to these artifacts.
How to stop cats from scratching furniture home remedy?
You can create a spray that will deter your cat from scratching the furniture. In a spray bottle, combine equal parts water and apple cider vinegar and apply to the areas your cat is causing damage.
Citrus-based fragrances are also repulsive to cats. Instead, pour a liter of water with lemon juice, orange essential oil, and eucalyptus oil into a spray container. Before beginning any application, test a small area to ensure that the fabric is not affected.
Bottom Line
These were all the ways of how to stop cats from scratching furniture. These include regularly trimming a cat’s nails to blunt the points, providing scratching pads, posts, and other enticing structures for the cat to use, and using behavior modification approaches. Now, you can apply these methods & save your furniture!
We hope this article was helpful & informative. Please leave your valuable thoughts & suggestions in the comments below!
Thank you for reading!