Cat Adoption, Cat Behavior, Cat Questions, Cat Training, Cats

9 Effective Ways To Keep Cats From Scratching Furniture

how-to-keep-cats-from-scratching-furniture

Having a cat is a beautiful gift. After a long and troublesome day, you come back home to see your precious little guy. Only, they scratched up the entire couch!

That’s not good. Maybe, the guests are visiting over the weekend. So, the house should not resemble a ferocious beast sneaking into the house.

Cats only rip up the furniture on instinct. It’s because they don’t understand that this act annoys you. Scratching furniture is a sign of marking territory or even to stretch their muscles to maintain the most talked about claws in the entire neighborhood.

In contrast, think about this scenario, a burglar evades your home and cat’s claws are the only versatile weapon.

Owners, before you even think to remove your cat’s claws, there are ways to make your cats stop scratching. To avoid buying a priceless couch every month here are nine effective ways to keep your cats from scratching.

 

1. Make Scratching Areas Less Attracting

Maybe, you can make the areas where your cat tends to scratch up less inviting. Cats are only attracted to upholstery which keeps your chair or couch together. To make your couch less appealing to a cat’s eye, spray it with an herbal spray to replace the territorial markers left behind after a cat has scratched.

Cats will not find this scent to their liking and will immediately be discouraged from any further desires to scratch.

 

2. Use Sticky Strips or Double Sided Tape

The use of sticky strips can help reduce the annoyance of cats scratching up the furniture. Double-sided tape and aluminum foil can also be of use. Moreover, be very careful regarding your cat’s feet. They are very sensitive.

Also, don’t cover the area with anything that may be harmful. This ‘sticky’ surface will prevent damages to your furniture as it will look uninviting in your cat’s eye.

 

3. Provide More Options for Scratching

The only reason cats go after the furniture is due to the lack of appealing furniture in the house. So, give your cat their very own scratching posts. That way they can have something of their own. Sharing is caring.

Additionally, research what your cat scratches the most such as the door, furniture, or even the rug. There is always a second option.

 

4. Find a Scratching Post

Scratching posts are the most popular and best resources for cats to sharpened those bright nails. When in search, study all the different options. Look at height, structure, and even weight, too. There are also scratching posts that are flat on the floor or can rise straight.

It’s mostly up to your cat on how they want their scratching post. Also note, cat’s don’t like any fluffy. Yeah, that’s somewhat ironic considering how fluffy cats are. It looks like a cat wants rough and granular material to stretch out those claws.

Most cats prefer to scratch up rough material in which they can shred. Plus, think about the location and where your cat spends most of its time.

 

5. Find Out How to Use the Scratching Post

Nobody can just put a scratching post on the floor and believe a cat will immediately start scratching it. Teach them that this is the best object to scratch. Even pretend to be an animal and put on a show where test out the scratching post for them.

As a result, the cat will get jealous and start using the scratching post as its own. Here’s another handy tip. Sprinkle some catnip around the area. Then your cat is hooked!

 

6. Limit Access to Furniture

It’s tough having to put down your foot. But, it’s equally important to get the message across that you don’t want your cat scratching up the furniture. Other than surrounding furniture with objects or smells that are not appealing, cover the furniture, too. Or even make them go outside more.

 

7. A Good Nail Trimming

Sometimes a good trim can help reduce the problem. Cats are only trying to sharpen their fingernails. Therefore, use a nail clipper prescribed from your veterinarian. It may not be a natural process, but you can also restrain your cat to cut the nails.

Be very gentle when cutting their nails. Only trim the open part of their nails, and never cut the dark areas.

 

8. Use Feliway

Feliway; it is an extraordinary product that can make your cat feel calm. It cannot help if your cat is damaging your furniture because she is poorly feeling emphasized. Spray an area of the sofa that your cat hangs typically out. Likewise, proceed to interact with your cat around the scratching post, and after that, reward her actions with cheers and gifts when she practices it.

 

9. Be Patient

You like to spend time with your cat. Moreover, you appreciate the valuable relationship the both of you share. Similarly, cats remember when you care for them and will exchange the same amount of love in return.

Provided that they know they’re encouraged and applauded, cats will do their best to gratify their human mates. Like your child, you also have to trust your cat.

Eventually, cats will grow and learn. Speak in a tone of voice that will make them understand. Gently correct your cat if they have done wrong.

And if they use the scratching post like they’re supposed to, reward them with a treat. No, not with tickets for an expensive cruise. A cat treat will be just fine. Never practice any substantial punishment.

 

Conclusion

Want to know the reason why you should not have your cat declawed? Other than several side effects, declawing means that you are painfully amputating your cat! Going through with this surgery can change your cat’s overall behavior, and it can even deter their overall balance. And cats can no longer explore outside on their own. They have nothing to defend themselves.

There are many helpful and healthier options to stop your cat from scratching up the furniture. Don’t detest them from their actions. Make an effort to treat your cat like your child. It is quite what they are. Follow these tips and go out and find a scratching post that best fit their needs.

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